Of Heroes, Blood, and Boba

by Marshmellowtime

There was a red thread that connected each and every one of them. It could bend, twist, and tangle, but it would never break. Though considering who her classmates were, she was getting pretty close to cutting it herself. "If you get your ass kicked one more time, I'm not healing you." Oc/?

10. Chamomile Tea

Highlights of the comment section (but let's be absolutely real, every single one of your comments is a highlight for me and I swear on my pupper's life that I'm not just saying that because you all have me laughing like I'm insane or smiling till my cheeks hurt—and here are just a few one liners from some of your comments that had me choking/dying/over the moon)

"AND ALSO ALL THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND THE CHARACTER RELATIONSHIPS AND JUST NA;DFHALBDFLKebflB. Gah. I'm dying still because THIS CHAPTER WAS SO LONG AND SO AMAZING AND GAH."

"Bakugou/Todoroki, I don't feel so good." (this was just evil)

"I ship her n midoriya so fuckin much jfc"

"ToFu" (ShoYu has been topped for me, that is all.)

"that flower boy(boi you better not ruin any one's wedding)"

"OH MY GOD IT'S THE FLOWER BOY THAT FUYU'S MENTIONED BEFORE. FUCK OFF FLOWER BOY, NOT ONLY DOES FUYU HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS ALREADY, BUT SHE ALREADY HAS TODOROKI AND BAKUGOU NO ROOM 4 U BI #GiveFuyuAHappyLife"

More highlights author's note below because I don't like spamming too much at the top BUT I LOVE EACH AND EVERYONE OF ALL YOUR COMMENTS JFC YOU'RE ALL THE AMAZING ONES AND MWAH.

I do not own BNHA.

---

Of Heroes, Blood, and Boba

Chapter Ten:

Chamomile Tea

---

Chamomile Tea; tea made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant, known for its soft taste and gentle aroma, often drunk to help reduce anxiety/stress and keep your heart healthy (it's a very healing tea)

---

At five, there are a handful of things that Fuyu treasured with all of her heart and she gripped them tight in her hand with all she had so they would never slip away.

She loved her moments with Nana, when the soft spoken and kind-eyed woman would wrap her up in her arms and they'd read her picture book—one of many that were surprisingly graciously granted to her by her father because despite her situation, he didn't intend on raising mindless animals—the state of mindless animals were for the children kept in the south wing of the estate whose purpose was far more simpler than her own. Attack. Defend. Replacement. Tool. Fuyu always imagined that this was what it would feel like if her mother were still alive.

She treasured the secrets she and Nana kept from her father. Despite his ability to pull from her anything he wanted if he fancied it. Most of the secrets they tried to keep always ended up in tragedy, like her ability to see the red string curving out from everyone's hearts—"Quirks," Nana had explained to her quietly one day. "They're called Quirks." But some remained, like the secret that the wooden bars on the window could be jiggled out of place and Fuyu could slip through undetected.

Fuyu treasured the small memories she had of her mother, though lacking in quantity. The memories were hazy and painful, but Fuyu never wanted to forget the faded image of a soft smile and the promise she made to herself that she would never use the string to hurt anyone—ever. No matter what.

She kept her quiet whispers in the dark with the flower boy in the room beside hers a secret, but she loved them too. Whispers traded through tatami mat and screen doors and occasionally when they were more daring, they could peel aside the mats to the crisscrossing wooden boards beneath and slip to the dirt beneath the house and talk for however long allowed. His vines and moss always made good cushions and he'd teach her about the flowers that grew in the courtyard or the ones he'd make grow for her when he could.

She loved her stolen moments with the boy by the river bank. Roki was a peculiar and precious entity and she treasured those moments high in her handful of things. He reminded her of the things outside the estate walls and the world waiting for her one day when she could finally scale that wall and not have to return.

"A book?" Fuyu's chest swelled with pride at the curiosity and marvel in his eyes as he focused on the object in her hands.

Fuyu nodded fiercely, small hands wrapped in bandages clutching the thin picture book. The cover was sleek and shiny, well-kept and cared for despite the bindings wearing down at the corner. The kanji on the front was painted in a dark silver and it reminded her a bit of Roki's right eye. The cover was a rich, deep red and Fuyu thumbed the pages on the side.

The bandages around his left side were fresh. Fuyu instantly felt her eyes flicker with warmth and without thinking she grabbed his thread. A throbbing, searing pain exploded against the left side of her face, uncomfortable and itchy and Roki froze, his good eye shooting up to her but Fuyu swallowed the discomfort down.

She was always bad with burns, but she could at least do this without taking the entirety of the wound away—she'd tried, the first time she'd seen it when he'd returned to her after weeks of waiting by the riverbank to show, but he'd told her with a quiet coldness that he would keep this one. "To remember."

"When I'm sad," Fuyu said simply. "It always makes me happy again."

Roki's arms were wrapped around his knees and he set them down at his sides, straightening out his legs and Fuyu's face brightened considerably, more than he'd seen in a while and he found himself quietly curious at how eager she seemed over one book. "It must be a good one then."

Fuyu nodded roughly once more, inky black locks bouncing around her in a flurry so hard it almost knocked the flower tucked behind one ear aside. She promptly plopped down onto the grassy riverbank beside him, dirtying her kimono as usual and setting the book on the edge of her lap closest to him.

Roki had been growingly uncomfortable with her on his left side instead of right, but she always made a show of sticking to his left to remind him he was fine. That she trusted his left side not to combust and burn her most precious thing.

"...why show it to me?" Roki asked hesitantly, fingers reaching out to glide across the smooth cover. "Wouldn't you want to keep it safe?"

"Cause it's my most treasured possession!" Fuyu said proudly with a wide, cheeky grin.

And it only made sense to share her most precious thing with one of her most precious people.

But the grip of a five year old child was only so strong.

---

Evil and crime had always been a problem in the world even before the emergence of Quirks.

Murder. Robbery. Lying. Infidelity. Greed. Shadows never disappeared and the appearance of superpowers at first only seemed to allow them a better outlet of revealing themselves. In the turbulent times of the first generation of Quirk users, all kinds of chaos and horror reigned—gangs, armies, people turning on one another with the idea that they were nothing more than monsters, freaks, different.

Of course, just as good learned to adapt, evil followed in tandem. It thrived. Amidst the glory of the dark ages, the first generation of Quirk users were torn between understanding the new change throughout their society and trying to the rid themselves of it. It took a handful of people to turn toward the latter and realize that within all this chaos, they too, could have their fill.

It began with large organizations that still existed to this day—high scale yakuza, at times smaller, low-life thugs who saw potential in the area. These people turned toward parents resentful of their super powered children, saw opportunity in the so-called trash people cast aside.

These groups rounded up unwanted children and people, took in outcasts with the promise of housing and care. Offered people food in exchange for work. Received pay outs for the marvelous powers people born without were beginning to covet or see as potential for rising higher in society. Whether to build an army, experiment on or marvel at how others like them could be born with wings or appearances so animal like and exotic, placing them in cages or on stage to gawk at like some sort of circus.

Soon enough, an old, long-time issue throughout the world adapted alongside its superhuman society, tagging with it a new name not unlike its predecessor.

Quirk trafficking.

The basis of it was simple in the earlier generations. Take in unwanted children with useful enough or curious Quirks, sell them to the highest bidder, enlist them in work, sell them off for nights or weeks on end, whatever the customers fancied. The largest of these organizations was a particular yakuza group with deep roots in the criminal underground. The days of the typical yakuza were numbered and they saw potential in the trade with the twist of fate that those within the family happened to be born with powerful enough Quirks to keep them afloat.

But as the generations began to rise and the years began to drag on and society turned new eyes toward the idea of the powers running through their veins, the trade wavered. Children with Quirks were suddenly wanted, people with powers sought to protect, and what seemed to be an endless supply shrank within years as new professions emerged and Quirks became celebrated.

So they changed with the times. Members scouted streets and kept eyes peeled along school grounds. Children went missing in the dead of the night or never returned home from their walk to school, adults and teenagers—no person was left untouched. Higher ups slipped into ranking positions within the growing government as laws were enforced and worked within Quirk regulating buildings to have information on the types of Quirks being registered, eyes opened for what would sell the highest.

Quirk trafficking was no secret. The occasional tag-line on the news, a quiet mention in papers, the poster of a missing child on a street, and those smart enough in the business saw to it that it never rose above all that. The more high-scale the business the quicker it would be for heroes to sniff it out and deal with the problem.

Amidst all the groups and low-life gangs finding success in the work, the yakuza group that had always reigned in the profession revealed a promising heir with a knack for the business as easy as breathing. Merciless, ruthless, a powerful Quirk at his disposable and all the means available, the family saw the highest of success within the business under his leadership.

"It merely takes a particular eye," he'd said to one of his newer members, gentle fingers combing themselves through a child's hair as he pressed their head into the ground. He raised a hand and another member stepped from the shadows, handing him their metal brand, already glowing red hot and dripping molten as the small shape of a sakura flower gazed back.

"Like tending to flowers," he had said as he pressed the brand into the child's shoulder, unflinching and even faced as they screamed. "Those brutes on the street who see nothing but cattle for slaughter are fools."

It took the gentlest hand and the keenest eye, as raising flora called for. One had to be able to notice the slightest irregularities within a sprout, be able to rip weeds to their roots, and of course, spot the most promising of buds. What customers decided to do with the flowers was beyond him once they left his shop.

At some point throughout his work, they'd taken to giving the man a name that stuck throughout his reign, it was tagged below his image when the law finally labeled him as a villain.

The Florist.

---

"Welcome to the We-lost-to-Bakugou club."

Fuyu scowled unattractively at the name. Her hands were shoved deep into her jacket pockets, unzipped over her scarred stomach and a puffy bandage was still taped to her cheek. Dark gray hair was loosely spilled over her shoulders since her scrunchie broke and she didn't have the chance to find a hair tie yet.

All in all, a far wilder and much more suited appearance to her growing status as the class' yankee.

Kirishima grinned somewhat sheepishly, bandaged all around his head and arms. Ochako beamed, patting the empty seat between the two of them.

Fuyu unceremoniously plopped down in the empty seat, crossing her arms under her chest with a huff and propping her feet up on the seat in front of her. "I'll get him next time."

"That's the way to go," Kirishima patted her back and Ochako nodded determinedly. "Though I gotta say, that was a pretty brutal looking match."

"Those match-ups were too much for my heart," Jirou agreed from behind them, patting her chest as she sank back into her seat and Yaoyorozu rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. "First Uraraka and then Kouki too? That guy is merciless."

"No, he's just strong," Ochako sighed, rubbing the back of her head in mild but well-meaning frustration. "But I'm going to work hard too!"

Fuyu bobbed her head in agreement. "Hotshot's got the bite to back the bark. Super annoyin'."

"Yeah, but you had a lot of us freaked out," Kaminari piped up from behind them, shaking his head as he jutted a finger at her. "It's so unnerving how you've got to fight with your blood and it was flying all over the place when Bakugou was annihilating you—"

"I bounced back!"

"It is good to see that you're alright now," Yaoyorozu's gentle voice added. Fuyu turned over her shoulder and ebony eyes quietly assessed her form, searching but kind. "I do hope in the future you might be able to develop some better tactics instead of fighting so recklessly."

Fuyu allowed a reassuring smile to touch her lips, an honest one. "Yeah, me too."

Yaoyorozu's face flickered in understanding and she returned her smile. Fuyu reminded herself to thank her classmate for being there for her despite it all and not prying—which Fuyu was immensely thankful for.

Fuyu had left Todoroki awhile before his match with Iida with a final punch to his newly healed chest and a promise to speak when things were over. Though wisps of shadows would still lick at her mind and she was certain confliction of his own still clouded Todoroki's mind, she'd left the waiting room in higher spirits then she'd felt in ages, the accumulation of the day's events leaving her head spinning and chest light.

I may not have everything figured out. Fuyu settled back into the chair, lips twitching upwards faintly and eyes a little clearer. But it's better than nothing.

Problems didn't disappear overnight. Thoughts didn't vanish within a day. But Fuyu knew with the blood rushing through her veins and pulsing beneath her skin that she was here, here, here. Midoriya's words rang like a bell and she thought of Bakugou's wickedly bright grin and Todoroki's soft eyes.

And for now here is where I'd like to stay.

"To think that Kouki's Quirk had a little more range," Midoriya muttered, hunched over slightly and his casted arms twitching as though to write despite their damaged state. "Paired with Awase from Class B earlier it was rougher to fight since he could weld himself to it, but with Kacchan the barriers seemed to hold up well enough under his explosions. She used it too as a blinding tactic and she was able to heal herself up but the taxing toll of it all means there must be a more convenient form—"

"I wish I had you on my shoulder or somethin'," Fuyu mused, half disturbed and half flattered by how thoroughly Midoriya was thinking of her Quirk usage through. "Coach me through life, keep me motivated... like a bit of sunshine in my pocket."

"You sound like a grandma." Kaminari snickered.

"I-I'd be awful!" Midoriya protested, cheeks flushing a bright red as he hurriedly waved his casted arms around. Fuyu frowned at the sight, playing with the ring on her finger and wondering if she should help him out a bit. I've already rested like Shuzenji ordered anyway. "I-I'm always muttering and talking to myself and I'm sure it'd drive you insane—"

"I know what you mean," Ochako said seriously, turning to Fuyu. "A Deku on your shoulder could help get you through the day and the stuff he says always makes you want to do better!"

"He's like that little angel on your shoulder," Fuyu agreed and Midoriya was close to combusting beside them, steam rolling out of his ears as he stuttered.

"I thought you were saying Bakugou was pretty inspiring," Kirishima teased, nudging her side and Fuyu scowled.

"Yeah, but in the kind of way that pisses ya off. He'd be that devil on your shoulder shouting this, snapping that." Fuyu idly cut her arm and blood curved along it, reaching out in two separate tendrils toward Kirishima and Midoriya. "I'd go deaf."

Kirishima's wounds were easier—rough bruising and minor burns. She felt the bruises fading away and Kirishima's shoulders slumped in relief. Midoriya watched her blood for a moment as it curled around his cast—his bones had been reset and it seemed Shuzenji had given him a pretty heavy dosage of healing, so Fuyu figured she could at least mend the bruising and swelling around them without exerting too much in case anyone else got hurt.

Tokoyami's match with Bakugou was about to begin below them, and she'd missed Iida and Todoroki's fight as well as those before it in favor of getting a thorough lecture from Shuzenji.

"You don't have too," Midoriya protested, mossy green eyes meeting hers earnestly. "You already did so much earlier by making it easier and you shouldn't exhaust yourself."

"Just a little more," Fuyu murmured. "It's frustrating when I can't do anything else. I would just transfer it over to myself but..." I hate to admit it but I have lost a lot of blood today and I doubt Shuzenji would be kind enough to let me off the hook for a big scale injury like this.

And besides... Fuyu's eyes flickered upwards and despite Midoriya's shy smiles and flustered appearance, there was a stern look of determination in his eyes and a heavier set to his jaw that spoke volumes of the fight he'd put up if she attempted anything of the sort. He's too kind to let me do that.

"I've been wondering for a while," Kaminari leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. "But how did you do it earlier? You healed Bakugou while you guys were fighting, didn't you? But there wasn't any blood like there usually is."

"That time at the USJ too," Kirishima agreed, gratitude in his eyes for her patch up treatment as he unfurled the bandage from around his head. "You helped Aizawa-sensei."

"...it's another aspect of the Quirk," Fuyu explained, twirling her finger absently as she drew the blood away from Midoriya and he tugged the bandages around his stomach off, newly healed and lacking any bruises. "A soul-link Quirk. I can connect myself to people and transfer injuries to myself. In more desperate situations I'd use it since it's faster to heal myself but when there's time I just try to use my blood."

It was strange, speaking of her Quirk so openly, but she figured moving forward with them there wasn't anything to hide in this regard, at least. Aizawa had mentioned to her before it was important that as an addition to the class under the newly implemented health program, her classmates should be just as aware of her own limitations as she was of theirs. Backstory and other things aside, stuff like this should be fine.

"But when you helped Aizawa-sensei," Yaoyorozu began hesitantly, eyes straying back to her as her brows creased. "Transferring injuries to yourself... the pain follows as well, doesn't it?"

Fuyu felt the eyes of the classmates around her settled on her form. Kirishima paused in rubbing his newly healed forehead and Kaminari's interested grin slipped off his face. Fuyu reached with nimble fingers and traced the pattern of the scar around her left hand.

"It does," she said honestly. "But sometimes it's a lot easier to be in pain then to watch the people around you suffer."

Midoriya's eyes were quiet as they gazed back at her and she met his gaze briefly, offering him a small smile. "And besides, perks of the Quirk—endorphins travel through your blood so I can up the dosage and alleviate the feeling anyway. It's not too bad. Do me a favor and try not to get your asses kicked too much though, yeah?"

"We'll do our best not to get injured too much!" Kirishima said fiercely beside her, clutching a fist. "It's the manly thing to do!"

"Yes," Yaoyorozu agreed. "Hopefully we can all avoid you having to do such things."

A shadow passed over her eyes and Yaoyorozu grimaced, "Although, perhaps I may not be one to speak considering how poorly my own fight turned out."

"Yami's just strong," Fuyu reminded and Ashido nodded in eager agreement. "Speaking of which—he's on next, right?"

"Up against Bakugou," Midoriya said. "They're both really strong but..."

"Are you one to talk?" Sero teased, mindfully glancing to Midoriya's bandaged arms and he grimaced, smiling shyly.

"I'm rooting for Yami," Fuyu said stubbornly, crossing her arms tighter over her chest after leading the blood she'd been using to the side and depositing it in a trashcan. "He can do it." As long as he avoids too many bright blasts.

"But you guys sure looked like you were having fun," Ashido added. "Even though Bakugou kind of creamed you."

"I get it."

Mineta looked thoughtful, rubbing his chin and he glanced from Ochako and then to Kouki. "If Bakugou's that kind of guy, maybe you two are actually—"

Tsuyu's tongue came out and slapped the side of his head and a hand clasped itself over Fuyu's shoulder. She turned to face a floating uniform and Hagakure spoke up eagerly by her ear, "But hey, Fuyu-chan—you look really nice with your hair down! You should do it more often!"

"It gets in the way sometimes," Fuyu answered simply, combing a finger through her loose locks and grimacing as they caught themselves in several knots.

A light shone and Yaoyorozu produced a comb in her hands. She handed it over and Fuyu nodded in thanks, combing out the knots. "Especially when you work with blood, it's gross when it gets in your hair."

"Whoever wins this fight goes on to the final match," Midoriya mumbled, looking thoughtful as the flames around the cemented fighting block lit up and the crowd roared with applause around them. Tokoyami and Bakugou appeared on the opposite ends of the arena and began their match. "And whoever loses will go against Iida to battle for third and fourth place..."

"It's Bakugou versus Tokoyami!" Present Mic crowed. "And Bakugou is relentless! Tokoyami's made it this far with his nearly invincible Quirk, but now Bakugou has him on the defensive!"

"Whomever it may be, I will be sure to do my best." Fuyu glanced up along with the rest of her classmates as Iida appeared along the steps to their booth, making his way down and Midoriya shifted aside so he could take a seat beside them. "It is the least I can do to make up for my lost against Todoroki."

"Don't beat yourself up too much," Fuyu said flatly, observing him briefly for injuries before turning around with a grunt to watch the match unfolding in front of them. "You're all animals if you ask me. It's scary."

"Says the one whose blood went flying all over the stadium." Sero snickered and Fuyu shoved her foot at his shoulder.

"Thank you, Kouki," Iida offered with a small smile. "You performed admirably as well."

Explosions lit up along the arena and Bakugou continued his relentless assault. Fuyu winced, watching Dark Shadow hold his own against the force of the explosions, but there was no opening left for Tokoyami to attack. His explosions are too bright and his movements are too fast.

"Is there something we're missing?" Yaoyorozu said thoughtfully, brows creased and Ashido was cheering for Tokoyami at her side. "His attacks before were so powerful..."

"Grab him, Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami lunged to the side and Bakugou launched himself away as Dark Shadow swiped at him.

"This thing," Bakugou snarled, clapping his hands together and a fierce explosion sent Dark Shadow reeling back. "Is fucking annoying!"

"C'mon, Yami!" Fuyu shouted, fiercely gripping the back of the seat in front of her and rattling it as she stood. "You can do it! Kick his ass, Dark Shadow!"

"The favoritism is hopelessly apparent," Tsuyu mused, Shoji nodding beside her as they watched Fuyu continue to spit fierce encouragement down below.

"He's my seatmate!" Fuyu snapped, holding up a tight fist. "'Course I want him to win!"

"Are you sure you're not just sore because Bakugou kicked your ass—"

Fuyu mimicked strangling Sero and her classmate continued to laugh. Below them a furious explosion, concentrated in light and power lit up the arena and they all cringed from the flash. Dust clouds appeared, rolling along the stadium and shielding the two competitors from view.

"Always with these dust clouds!" Present Mic complained and Fuyu had to agree, leaning far forward to try and catch a glimpse through the smoke. "What's happened down there?"

"With a blast like that..." Midoriya began uncertainly and sure enough, as the dust began to settle and flicker of sparks ignited along Bakugou's waiting hand.

His other gripped Tokoyami's beak tightly, Dark Shadow cowering beneath him and Fuyu's shoulders slumped as Bakugou grinned triumphantly above him. "Checkmate."

"I... I give." Tokoyami ground out and Midnight raised her whip as Bakugou stepped back, rubbing along his arm.

"Tokoyami has surrendered—Bakugou wins!"

"Looks like our final match is set!" Present Mic announced. "Todoroki versus Bakugou!"

"Ah, I was hoping Yami could pull through," Fuyu sighed, rubbing the back of her neck with a grimace.

"Guess the We-lost-to-Bakugou club gets a new member," Kirishima grinned.

But those two, huh? Fuyu's hand slipped from her neck and her eyes searched the edges of the crowd, wondering if Todoroki had been watching. Midoriya said he didn't use his fire against Iida... was it just because or...

Was it not enough?

"First Aid!" Fuyu flinched, looking down below where Bakugou suddenly had explosions crackling along his palms and he was advancing toward the wall where their booth was placed. "Try shit like that again and you're dead!"

Kirishima whistled beside her. "Looks like he heard after all."

"So what?" Fuyu snapped, leaning over the edge of the railing down at him. "I wanted Yami to win, what are ya going to do about it, hah?"

"You're fucking distracting! Keep your damn mouth shut!"

"You know, I think you've had one too many fireworks go off by your ear."

"Say anything next match and you'll regret it!"

"I'll say whatever the hell I want!"

"It looks like losing hasn't deterred her in the slightest," Yaoyorozu said with a small smile and Midoriya sighed in the seat in front of her, looking a little more worn out.

"Picking a fight with Kacchan of all people though..."

---

If I remember right, it should be this waiting room... Fuyu twisted the ring absently around her finger, eyes scanning the hallways for the right room. In and out, Fuyu. Say what you want to say and leave. I'm sure he'd want time to himself anyway and you two just barely started working stuff out so you shouldn't be too presumptuous...

Fuyu reached up and roughly scratched her head with a sigh, brows knitting together. I'm not cut out for deep thinking. Perhaps she was a fool like Yagi always said. Her grades were pretty fine—conventional smarts had to count for something at least, right?

What do I even want to say to him? Fuyu grimaced. Showing up at his waiting room with a "Hey, don't forget to use your fire, good luck."—didn't sound anywhere near promising. Maybe she should just leave things be and go back to the booth and ask Yaoyorozu to make her a new hair tie and try and absorb some of Midoriya's brightness.

Hurried footsteps slammed against tile and Fuyu glanced up. She paused, eyes growing round in curiosity as Iida stormed toward her, face haggard and sweat dribbling down his brow as he raced through the hallway. A phone was clutched tightly in his hand and his school bag in the other, brows furrowed and face pale.

"Class Rep?" Fuyu questioned and Iida flinched, looking startled until his eyes finally settled on her just before he'd been about to brush right past. "You alright?"

"I—" Iida cut himself short, near breathless. "Pardon me, Kouki. I must depart."

"Go?" Fuyu's eyes widened. "You've still got another match, don't you? Are you alright?"

Iida's mouth parted and then clamped shut. His face darkened and Fuyu stilled, brows creasing and her fingers twitched at her side. "Are you hurt?"

Something twisted across Iida's expression, his grip on his phone tightening and his eyes flickered. Fuyu blinked, trying to decipher the look he seemed to be fixing her with for a second, as though committing something to memory and then he was hurriedly striding past her. "I-I will explain later, forgive me I need to go."

"Sure..." Fuyu mumbled, watching his retreating back until it disappeared from view. Fuyu frowned, genuine worry flickering through her before she slid her hands into her pockets and continued toward Todoroki's waiting room.

She wished a bit of her namesake his way and hoped for the best. I'm sure he'll be okay. Maybe just some family trouble.

Fuyu paused in front of her destination, mouth quirking down at the corner before she sighed and twisted the door open. The final match was bound to start soon so she shouldn't spend too much time bothering him regardless.

Gray and sea glass rose up at her entrance, regarding her quietly as Todoroki sat before the single table in the room, hands in his lap. "Kouki."

"I just wanted to..." Fuyu trailed off, she swallowed, stepping hesitantly into the room and closing the door behind her. "Just wanted to make sure you were good."

Todoroki blinked. "I wasn't injured much from my match with Iida. I'm alright."

"No, well," Fuyu grimaced. She reached up and tapped her head. "You know, good."

Todoroki gazed at her a moment longer and reached up to touch his own head. His fingers absently seemed to search along his scalp. "His Reciproburst came harder than expected, but I believe I should be fine."

Fuyu dragged a hand over her face, cheeks dusted a soft red as she peeked at him through the gaps of her fingers. Sure enough, Todoroki was still staring with those quiet eyes, waiting for her to continue and Fuyu fisted her hand, patting the spot above her heart.

"I meant here," Fuyu said finally, leaving her fist above her heart and Todoroki's gaze flickered for a moment in understanding. "I heard you won against Iida with ice but I couldn't help but wonder..."

"You're worried I am the way I was before we spoke," Todoroki clarified and Fuyu's eyes darted to the side. "Before my match with Midoriya."

Fuyu kept her gaze trained away from his for a moment before they hesitantly slid back and she slid her hands into her pockets. "...that wrong?"

Todoroki was quiet, gazing at her for a minute longer before he turned his gaze down toward his hands instead, letting them hover above the table as he turned his palm toward himself. "You weren't the only one, I suppose, who forgot things."

Fuyu paused and Todoroki flexed his fingers. "I didn't realize how much of the past I'd pushed away. When I was out there with Midoriya... that fight, your words, my father—for a moment I forgot everything else and remembered so much at the same time."

"You're all jumbled up," Fuyu surmised, taking a few steps forward to lean against the table. Todoroki glanced up to her. "...I get it. When you've spent so much time wandering through this haze and suddenly things seem so clear, it doesn't seem possible for it all too just disappear in a day."

"Essentially," Todoroki agreed, letting his hands fall to the table. "What I need to do... what I should do... I'm not quite certain any longer."

Fuyu drummed her fingers along the edge of the table, mulling over her own thoughts. Putting what she wanted to say into the right words was a challenge, but she supposed speaking straight from her thoughts hadn't failed her entirely just yet. The door's open now, you're allowed to take a step forward.

She thought about how tightly she'd clutched Todoroki's thread only hours before and the quiet revelation that despite it all there had been a past—had been something that connected them together.

"My precious friend."

"A confusing guy told me once," Fuyu said slowly, and Todoroki's eyes rested on the back of her head until she half turned to meet his gaze, blood red soft. "If there's someone you need to apologize to, something you need to say, then you should do it before it's too late."

Todoroki's face flickered and Fuyu glanced aside, rubbing the back of her neck. "His words always had a weird habit of sticking with me, even if I didn't want them too."

A gentle silence hung between the two of them. Todoroki made a small noise, almost like a sigh and Fuyu stiffened, glancing back and wondering if she'd been imagining the way his lips had quirked for the briefest of seconds. His eyes settled on her own and he fixed her with a contemplative look.

"Those words seem straightforward enough to not be confusing."

"I said he was confusing, not his words," Fuyu grunted, crossing her arms over her chest and flipping a lock of hair over her shoulder with a jerk of her head. Todoroki's eyes followed the action briefly, a thoughtful look flickering through his eyes. "For the record, I wanted Yami to win but since it's between you and Hotshot, I'm rooting for him since he beat me so technically it'd be like—"

"Your hair was black before," Todoroki said thoughtfully and Fuyu blinked, turning to look at him. "I thought you might have dyed it but..." He glanced to her dark gray brows and lashes as well. "What happened?"

"Oh, this?" Fuyu absently grabbed a lock, playing with her hair between her fingers. It wasn't as soft as she would've liked it to be but maybe she could ask one of the girls what shampoo they'd recommend. "Some time ago—"

The door to the waiting room swung open with a rough slam, jerking back on its hinges and colliding roughly with the wall. Todoroki's gaze had still been fixed on her hair but Fuyu glanced up, blinking in surprise as Bakugou quirked a brow, foot raised through the doorway.

"Hah? What the hell is this? Why are you here?" His eyes snapped to the plaque outside the room and he stiffened. "Ah, crap! This is waiting room two?"

Fuyu blinked, still trying to process his sudden appearance and her eyes slid to Todoroki and then back to him. "Hotshot, don't tell me you're trying to get a leg up—"

"You think I need to do anything like that?" Bakugou snarled, stomping forward into the room and jutting an accusing finger at her. "I can beat his ass fair and square—the hell are you doing in here, anyway? Last I checked, I beat you."

Fuyu's brow twitched and she tipped her chin up, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Last time I checked, I didn't need permission to be in here—I was checking up on him, you know! I should be asking you what you're doing in here."

"None of your business!" Bakugou snapped, leaning over her threateningly and Todoroki's eyes flickered upwards, considering the interaction taking place before him.

"Ah, that's right," Fuyu snapped her fingers and pointed one Bakugou's way. "You forgot how to read."

"Looks like I need to beat your ass a second time—"

"Kouki."

Fuyu's gaze instantly tore from Bakugou's menacing expression at the call of her name, landing on Todoroki's silent face as he regarded his hand for a moment and then looked up at her. "I will do my best."

Bakugou was huffing in front of her, smoke rolling off his palms and curses spewing from his lips but Fuyu kept her gaze focused on Todoroki before she tipped her head slightly in answer. Fuyu stood from her spot against the table and put her hands into her pockets, sidestepping and snarling Bakugou and flashing them both a glance over her shoulder. "I'll be looking forward to it then."

A wry smile tugged at her lips and she stood halfway through the door, the tip of her shoe propping it open and her smile turned cheeky. "I'm rooting for you, Hotshot."

Bakugou's curses stopped momentarily, the gears shifting in his head as he processed her words and when a look of absolute loathing crossed his face, Fuyu quickly found herself out the door to avoid whatever was about to follow.

---

"At last we've arrived! The best of the best among U.A's first years will be decided right here, right now!" Present Mic's voice flooded the stadium as the crowds in the stands roared their approval. "It's the final match, Todoroki versus Bakugou!"

Red and white coasted briefly on the wind that tugged at his hair, Bakugou raising his arms before him as his lips pulled back into his signature snarl. Fuyu inhaled and exhaled, hands clasped over each other and leaning as far forward as the seats would allow with Midoriya and Ochako beside her.

They worked so hard to make it this far. Fuyu flexed her fingers absently and felt something steel in the back of her mind. You've got a lot to catch up on.

No room for the darkness.

"START!"

Within seconds Todoroki's hand hit the floor and a barrage of glaciers erupted forth. Fuyu's eyes widened, having seen only the after result from earlier and now witnessing it firsthand. Bakugou's side of the arena was closed off with thick sheens of jagged ice jutting outwards. Midoriya stiffened at her side, "It's different from earlier with Sero..."

"It better be!" Fuyu snapped, leaning forward even further as the ground rumbled and muffled noises littered the air. "Dealing with frostbite isn't fun."

"I guess the way we fight affects you too," Ochako laughed nervously, eyes peeled along the arena below for the slightest change as the muffled sounds grew in volume. "But it looks like—"

Chips of ice scattered across the arena as a large crater blasted through the deepest part of the structure. Todoroki tensed, eyes narrowing down below as Bakugou hauled himself over through the hole he'd tunneled out for himself.

"He blocked the ice and started digging himself out like a mole!" Sero exclaimed in disbelief and Kaminari's jaw dropped beside him.

"These guys are insane!"

"You've got some strong moves," Bakugou launched forward and Fuyu stiffened, eyes growing wide as Bakugou's hand snagged Todoroki's hair and gripped his shoulder. "But you're a bad aim!"

His boots planted themselves firmly against the ground, hauling Todoroki over his shoulder and launching him across the arena with a fierce explosion. "You looking down on me, moron?"

"He dodged the ice and grabbed him!" Midoriya said and Fuyu leaned further.

This is a real fight. Fuyu's eyes followed as Todoroki's hand curved behind him, ice appearing beneath him and his right foot made contact, a wave of the jagged crystals propelling him around the arena and in bounds. All those scrapes and scuffles I got into are nothing like this.

"He avoids falling out of bounds with an ice wave! Looks like fun!"

Todoroki's hand snatched Bakugou's arm mid-launch and Fuyu's breath caught in her throat. The kind of fights I want to have.

Todoroki's brows furrowed and he jerked Bakugou aside, tossing him across the arena and Bakugou skidded across the ground, landing on his feet. "You trying to say I ain't good enough for that?"

The kind of effort I want to put.

"His attacks are lacking," Aizawa's voice flooded the stadium and Fuyu froze. "It seems like after his fight with Midoriya, he's lost his drive."

"You're all jumbled up."

Fuyu's nails bit into her palm, pressing her fist to her lips as she watched the fight unfolding below her. Midoriya was silent at her side, brows furrowed deeply as he leaned just as far forward as she was, the two of them nearly toppling over the seats in front of them had Yaoyorozu and Tsuyu not snagged the back of their uniforms and tugged them back.

"You'll regret making a fool of me!" Bakugou roared, explosions igniting along his palm and Fuyu's eyes snapped to him. "I'll freaking kill you! I'm taking the first to end all firsts!"

Smoke and flame trailed up from his fingers and Bakugou's foot slammed into the ground. "There's no point in winning against some half-assed punk! No point if I can't do better than Deku! So if you're not trying to win, get the hell out of my face!"

"You already wrote yourself out."

Bakugou's... Fuyu leaned back in her seat as Bakugou raised his fists, explosions rocketing off his palms. Todoroki's brows furrowed deeper and ice covered bits of his face and body, frost enveloping him as ice appeared along his side.

"What it is I'm supposed to do."

"Why're you even here, you bastard?"

Todoroki, was I able to say anything to you?

Fuyu leapt from her seat, sucking in a deep breath as she cupped her hands over her mouth and leaned as far forward as possible.

"COME ON TODOROKI, DON'T LOSE!"

"PUT YOUR BACK INTO IT, DAMN IT!"

Fuyu faltered, head snapping to her left at the same time Midoriya did. The two of them paused, mouths parted in shock as realization flashed through both their eyes and then their cheeks flushed. Fuyu quickly sat back down and Midoriya followed, the two of them glancing aside and Fuyu awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck while Midoriya's lips trembled in an awkward smile. The rest of their classmates gaped at them in surprise, trying to process what had just happened and Ochako looked startled beside them. "G-Guys?"

"G-Guess we felt the same," Midoriya began hesitantly and Fuyu jerked her head in a stiff nod.

"Just seeing him like that..." Fuyu pressed a hand to her mouth, muffling her next words despite the bright blush over her cheeks. "Pissed me off..."

"Do your best."

Todoroki's head shot up and crimson red enveloped the left side of his face, flames licking up his arm and winding down his leg. Bakugou cackled in front of him, explosions propelling him through the air until he was twisting into a ferocious vortex. "Howitzer—"

Fuyu paused, drinking in the sight of Todoroki's determined face as flames enveloped his left side. Something soft flickered through his eyes, a heartbeat, and then just like that it all seemed to melt away and his hand lowered to his side as his eyes dropped to the floor.

"I will surpass him."

"What it is I need to do."

"Impact!"

Jagged pieces of ice were sent flying across the arena. Heat and smoke fanned out like a massive wave, whipping her hair back and Fuyu gripped the seat in front of her to brace herself until it cleared. "Bakugou's taken that massive fire power he showed in his fight against Uraraka and added some spin to turn himself into a human missile! But Todoroki doesn't seem to have fired off the blast he did with Midoriya. In the end he..."

A breath she'd been holding escaped past her lips in a heavy sigh. Fuyu's brows furrowed but there was no heavy uncertainty to her heart, the memory of those solemn eyes so starkly different from the look before. Of course it can't be that easy to forget, huh?

Fuyu's eyes dropped down to her own hands the same moment a vicious cry left Bakugou's lips and he was charging toward Todoroki's fallen body, sprawled over jutting pieces of his ice—knocked out of bounds. Bakugou's going to give you hell.

A soft pink mist curled around the arena floor and Midnight raised her arm, eyeing the now unconscious form of Bakugou and Midoriya was silent beside her. "Todoroki is out of bounds! So with that..."

Things are different now. The image of the ground beneath her feet so many floors up flickered through her mind and Fuyu felt it grow hazy and disperse into quiet wisps. She leaned back in her seat, the crowd in uproar and chattering loudly at the realization that the sports festival had come to such an explosive end.

"I guess it couldn't be that easy," Midoriya said quietly, somewhat wistful as he leaned back in his seat beside her. "I hope Todoroki is alright."

"Mm," Fuyu curled her fingers and let them rest in her lap, turning to Midoriya with a small smile and those soft mossy eyes turned to her in return, tired and bright. "I think he will be."

"Bakugou is the winner!"

I'm different now too.

---

"When you become a cool hero, come and take me away from here, okay?"

---

"What happened to 'I will do my best,' huh?"

Gray and turquoise peered beneath red and white fringes. His bangs shifted across his face and Todoroki blinked once, slowly as he began to gather his bearings and then half turned his head along the propped up bed within the temporary infirmary. His mismatched gaze landed on her and Fuyu gazed back at him, the corner of her lips quirked in a wry sort of smile, cheek puffy from the large bandage still taped across.

There was a lingering sense of fatigue, meaning Recovery Girl had seen to most of his injuries, minor as they might have been aside from the final blast Bakugou dealt him that sent him colliding with the wall of ice he'd braced behind himself. His arm ached specifically, where tight bandages were wrapped around his arm and the familiar rawness of a burn tugged at his senses.

"I'd fix that for you," Fuyu nodded toward his arm but meaningfully tugged the red band around her arm off and set it down on the stand beside them. "But I'm officially off duty. Burns aren't really my forte anyway."

Todoroki shut his eyes against the bright light above them. So I lost after all. "Perhaps you should work on that."

Fuyu snorted. "If you'd like me to skin off the burned areas so I can heal it properly, be my guest. But I can't promise it'll be pretty."

There was a shuffle at his side and he peered an eye open, half turning his head. The bed was propped up halfway so he could sit upright somewhat and he watched as Fuyu rifled through a first aid kit, setting aside some ointment for burns and new gauze. He considered telling her he already had his own burn medication at home—a needed necessity in his household, but found a quiet solace in watching her go about the motions.

"Hotshot put up a real fight," Fuyu said absently. "Woke up spitting and snarling so apparently they had to take some extra measures. The award ceremony's about to start soon so I was told to make sure you were good to go."

She held out a hand and Todoroki silently extended his arm, watching her unfurl his bandages and set the used ones aside. "Second place ain't bad, compared to me at least, so congrats."

Fuyu rewrapped his arms with practiced ease. She paused briefly, nose scrunching up as something flickered across her face and then she continued. "What is it?"

"Just got a little déjà vu," she admitted quietly.

Todoroki tilted his head slightly, watching for a moment longer.

"When I look at them, all I can see is their father."

"What it is I need to do," Fuyu didn't stop in her ministrations and Todoroki blinked quietly. "I think I know now."

"I'll be waiting."

Fuyu huffed softly through her nose, finishing up the rewrapping of his arm and clasping it together with a bit of medical tape. "Took a blast from him to help you out, but guess I'm not one to talk."

Her fingers lingered over his arm regardless, a thin trail of blood winding over her finger and then curving around his arm as a soft red began to glow. The ache of the burns began to fade and his eyes traveled up to her face.

Fuyu kept her eyes focused on his arm, but her lips were tugging upwards at the corner. "Good."

"...it seems as though you've found something out yourself."

Fuyu hummed at that, watching her blood curl around his arm and transfixed for a moment with how like second nature it felt. I wonder how often I did this before. "Something' about this school and the people here I guess."

Her gaze finally flickered up to meet his, smile curving in a crooked tilt, cheeky. "Makes you want to be more than you ever were."

"I'd like you to stay here."

"Come at me with all you've got!"

"Thank you, Fuyu."

"Where do you think you're looking?"

Todoroki shut his eyes at that, leaning back against the bed with a small, quiet sigh, his own sign of agreement.

"On a side note," Fuyu slapped his injured arm without remorse as though to give it a finishing pat and Todoroki's brow quirked slightly in a restrained grimace, eyes sliding open to fix her with a contemplative look.

"Welcome to the We-lost-to-Bakugou club."

And just like that, in a swirling storm of chaotic troubles, turbulent feelings, unforgettable words and memories ringing loud and clear in their minds with steps toward a newfound purpose and clear goals—

Their sports festival came to a close.

---

"In light of the sports festival, you all have tomorrow and the next day off."

Fuyu's brows were furrowed, face scrunched up as her head lolled from side to side before jerking upright in an attempt to fend off the impending drowsiness. The back and forth use of her Quirk, coupled with the lack of proper nourishment to replace the energy she'd used up and the constant transfusions going in and out of her body were finally taking their toll. And you fought against Bakugou, which gets its own category of pain.

Tokoyami was watching her out of the corner of his eye in half-amusement, arms crossed over his chest and his bronze medal tucked away properly unlike the seething Bakugou a few rows over who still had it clenched angrily between his teeth. She doubted Aizawa was going to give her a hard time about falling asleep since they were about to be dismissed—and it came as a rattling realization that so much had managed to happen in a single day.

Just goes to show how easily your life can change. Fuyu rubbed at her eyes, fingers taped up and bandage still plastered to her cheek since her Quirk had been working overtime and she figured sporting a few surface wounds wouldn't kill her. Especially surrounded by people like this.

"Almost there," Satou offered helpfully behind her and she grumbled a tired agreement, eyes screwed shut but remaining awake.

I just want a nap. Fuyu resolved. I want my futon and I want to hear Gram's voice and I want to sleep for the rest of my life. And then I want to eat and go back to sleep.

For once her mind and heart seemed to wholeheartedly concur with each other and she slumped back in her seat, all of them freshly changed back into their school uniforms—save for Iida who Midoriya and Ochako had explained to her had left due to a family emergency as she'd thought when she ran into him earlier. The evening sun cast a golden glow to signal the end of the day.

"Scouting reports and such from pros will be waiting for you here after the break," Aizawa added, shooting her a meaningful glance and Fuyu sluggishly bobbed her head to show she'd heard. "So look forward to that as you enjoy your time off. You're dismissed."

"You should be more interested," Tokoyami said sagely at her side. "This will play an important role in our coming semester."

Fuyu supposed she couldn't very well say she'd just barely found a reason to wake up every morning to explain her lack of excitement toward draft picks, and settled instead with tiredly turning toward her seatmate. "Congrats on third. Welcome to the We-lost-to-Bakugou club."

Tokoyami arched a brow, looking as though he were reconsidering her cognitive abilities along with her sanity in that very moment. Fuyu's head nearly slammed into her desk had Satou not barely snagged the back of her uniform and Kirishima set a palm down to block her collision with the rough surface.

"Thanks," Fuyu mumbled and Kirishima chuckled, grabbing his things as everyone began to shift around them.

"You going to be alright getting home?" Kirishima questioned, shrugging a strap over one shoulder and Fuyu nodded sleepily.

"Made it this far, can't kick the bucket now," Fuyu patted her cheeks and rose from her seat, bracing herself on her desk with a grimace. "I'll be alright."

I've got plenty to do tomorrow anyway. Fuyu's brows scrunched up and Kirishima kindly swiped her backpack at her feet, holding it out to her. Need to pick up that shift and get those gifts... Yaoyorozu probably wouldn't mind one of the cakes from the shop.

Fuyu's eyes slid open and she tugged her backpack on over her shoulder with a thankful nod toward Kirishima. Her eyes drifted to the other side of the room where Bakugou was still angrily fuming at his desk and Midoriya was carefully putting things back into his bright yellow backpack with one arm.

She offered her seatmates a wave, weaving her way through the desks and flashing a departing Todoroki a small smile. Fuyu's feet landed her at her desired destination and Bakugou seethed, unclamping is teeth and mercilessly dropping the gold medal onto his desk with a resounding clank. "What?"

Fuyu adjusted the straps over her shoulders and straightened her back, fixing Bakugou with an earnest look.

If there's anyone I need to say this to, it's you.

"I won't make that face anymore."

Bakugou paused briefly in his snarling, crimson eyes jerking up to meet her gaze with clear indifference. His eyes held her in place, unrelenting and analyzing and Fuyu held her ground, gripping the red straps of her backpack.

There was a brief pause, a heartbeat, and then Bakugou clicked his tongue, exhaling with a snort. Fuyu's mouth curved into a wide grin and she drew strength on the shy smile Midoriya was attempting to hide by focusing on his desk behind Bakugou.

"We'll see about that," Bakugou sneered, roughly grabbing the medal as though it were nothing more than trash and shoving it unceremoniously into his pocket.

Fuyu grinned, the evening light warming the side of her face and her heart felt higher than any rooftop could ever make her feel.

"You won't be disappointed."

---

Drip. Drip. Drip.

A soft, golden light emitted from a lamp pressed into the corner of a large room. Sleek wooden floors flickered with shadows shifting along the ground, the faintest stir as a quiet, muffled shuffling filled the background noise. Gentle music played, classical piano whispering along the dimly lit walls.

Wide double doors were left ajar, half ripped off their hinges while the beautiful glass window against the side of the room was shattered, pieces of glass scattered along the floor. The muffled noises echoing along the room were silenced by the gentle sound of a page turning as a man examined the book in his hands.

Names were listed before him in neatly printed ink. Dark eyes with the faintest hints of sharp gold skimmed through the contents of the tightly bound book, which had previously been sitting in a closed and locked briefcase at his feet. The lamplight glowed against an impeccable suit, rich and ebony in color with a blood red tie standing out starkly against the sleek colors.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

A contented sigh escaped his lips, leisurely flipping another page. The contents had been as riveting as promised, though all this information would be better suited to file back for later use. Knowing one's Quirk after all was as good as a leg up as any other. He doubted he could get his hands on any of this specific personnel, but it'd be good to remember nonetheless.

"Sir." Footsteps came to a halt in the open doorway and the man reclined along a sleek leather couch glanced up.

Faint wrinkles tugged at the corners of his eyes as the sole indication of his age. Dark, jet black hair was combed neatly over the top of his head in typical business fashion. His skin was smooth, well cared for and healthy save for the curve of a jagged scar from the corner of his left temple and down to his cheekbone.

The muffled shuffling resumed and a brief look of annoyance flared over his face before it settled with a wave of his hand, the strangled shuffling faltering. "What is it?"

The setting sun outside was casting the rest of the dark room in a warm, orange glow. It promised a relaxing bed after a hard day's work, a warm meal waiting on the table, a home to return to.

The setting sun merely reminded him there was work to be done.

"One of the men we have scouting the festival every year reported something interesting from the first year stage," the member bowed his head in deep respect and stepped into the room, a sleek laptop cradled under his arm. "Along with drafted papers of the documented Quirks observed so far."

"First years?" The man waved a hand and the member kneeled down beside him, ignoring the growing puddle of liquid drawing near. "We usually just keep our eyes peeled for the third years, there's always a handful of students who don't get the results they want once they graduate."

Prime pickings. He examined the book in his hands as the member began to set up the laptop on the coffee table before him. Nothing was easier then broken hearted children who realized their helpless goals of wanting to be heroes was nothing more than a pipe dream. In this day and age, shooting to be a hero was close to wanting to make it in the entertainment industry—it took much more superficial aspects than it ever should have in the past.

"There were some exceptional performances," the member reported dutifully. "Many promising Quirks that should be watched. However, there was a particular match that struck him and he mentioned you would like to have a look for yourself."

The Yuuei Sports Festival was easily viewed across the nation—the school's way of showing the world and the villains waiting in the shadows that they held no fear whether or not they were aware of their students Quirks and what they had to offer. We are strong. We will not bend. This is the future generation of heroes to fear.

It also provided the perfect gathering of information for those smart enough to see the opportunity.

"Yuuei's on the difficult side when it comes to harvesting," the man said slowly, wiping something off his fingers and onto the couch below him. The muffled shuffling continued with new vigor and he watched as the screen flickered to life and a video of the sports festival came into view from the live broadcasting.

"We have here two students from Class 1-A starting off the second round of the final event," a news anchor explained, commentary appearing below on the screen. "Bakugou Katsuki, who apparently placed top in his class for the entrance exam for the hero division and... We are currently gathering information on the name of the second student, but it's been reported that she is here on a special trial program for a health course at Yuuei."

The anchor's words faded into background and the man paused, setting the book down at his side. The member turned the laptop screen fully for his viewing and sat back on his heels. A coppery, metallic tang hung in the air and the man leaned forward. The blonde boy was definitely a promising candidate—strong Quirk, streamlined physique, he'd probably end up a hero so there was no point in griping about him.

His eyes searched the screen since he doubted one of the lower members would bother him with something as obvious as this until the panel changed and showcased the battle—ah.

Dark gray locks whipped around her face. Sharp, crimson eyes that tinged a duller look—you haven't changed, it seems. A flicker of easy satisfaction filled him and he rested his hands on his knees in mild disbelief. Good luck, is what he should call it, but if he bet his life on luck then he would not be where he was today. Fate, was a tempting word, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth and the memory of that foolish woman too apparent.

"What careless fools," he mused, locking his fingers together and watch the fight unfold before him with avid interest. "I'd underestimated that old bastard's influence. That's the beauty of our kind, you know, yakuza are truly loyal to the end, no matter their age." That old man had done exceptionally well in covering their tracks and making it particularly difficult to find leads on their whereabouts after the raid, especially since he had to focus on working deeper in the shadows.

Death was the best disguise after all.

But the greater powers had gotten careless. Allowing her to step foot onto that stage knowing it would be broadcasted around the world was as good as sending him a letter of invitation. Though he supposed it must've partially stemmed from their belief that he was no longer a threat. Or perhaps to say here she is, you can't touch her now.

"Would you like us to conduct further research?" the member offered and the man waved his hand, a strangled noise echoing from the floor in response.

"No need," he said breezily. "It's her."

Her hair had changed color—a byproduct of overuse, he assumed. It was the same reason why there was a distinct streak of silver along his jet black hair. But he didn't need silly markings or tests to know without a doubt that it was her, especially considering she'd ended up turning out to be a near carbon copy of that woman and inheriting only his faintly curved eyes and hair. A wry twist of fate, he'd mused, considering what he'd done to both.

This made for a new change of plans, with upmost certainty. His search for her had fallen to the bottom of priorities when he'd figured he was better off cutting his losses. One bud was nothing to cry over when there was plenty of rich soil with the promise of more. But this changes things.

He reached a hand for his phone when his fingers paused briefly, curling slightly in the air to halt the member who'd been about to stand. Calculative eyes watched the screen before him with careful intensity.

The blood around her shifted, churning and moving to form more complicated shapes. Blood manipulation. It had always been a latent ability, considering she needed a basic grip on the power to be able to move it in the first place when healing their clients, but he'd been careful not to allow her to realize it could've been so much more, as she seemed to be doing now. Looks like they're not useless after all.

An explosion rocketed across the screen and he stilled.

Blood red irises flashed beneath the cloud of dust, they glowed a bright, vibrant red around the ring of her irises. The dull look faded and was replaced with a new fierceness—determined and clear and a small noise of surprise escaped his lips.

Well, well, well. The corners of his lips tugged into a wry smile and he watched in marvelous disbelief as the blonde opponent flexed his arms, the straining veins that'd been etched along his arms receding. Look at how far you've come.

Perhaps he'd been wrong to deprive her of honing her skills. He watched the blood move in a flurry across the screen, coasting beneath her and twisting into barriers left and right. I was the fool in this case.

A small laugh left his lips, sharp and ringing and the member paused, regarding his boss carefully as he pressed a hand to his forehead. "Sir?"

"Some of the best flowers are started indoors," he said simply, rubbing at the scar along his temple and then smiling brightly. "But once you get them growing, moving them outside has them grow stronger—better. To think that it would all end up working out in the end..."

It was a win-win no matter what.

Fine. He finally held his hand out and the member quickly stood to retrieve his phone. Keep her for now. Help her grow, Yuuei. Make her strong.

The shuffling resumed with fierceness and his eyes slid to the corner of the room. Two men were writhing on the floor, arms bent at twisted angles and legs limp at their sides as they squirmed. Their eyes showed white, rolling far back with blood and spit dripping from the corners of their mouths.

The man sighed. He idly raised his hand, curving his fingers before twisting them roughly.

The blood in their bodies instantly rushed to their heads, surging through their veins and strangled, muted cries tore from their lips where their windpipes had been crushed. Blood surged to their brains, filling the vessels and expanding—more, more, more until—

Their bodies slumped, muscles twitching as life began to leave their faces. Blood poured from their noses, trickled down the corners of their eyes and mouths and the man wiped his hands against his suit as though to wipe away the blood.

"Call that upstart from the Eight Precepts."

His hand reached for the discarded book at his side and he flipped it back to his proper page, a silver ring glinting off his finger with a curved sakura blossom as its centerpiece.

"Tell him a promising bud has finally appeared."

---

"I'm home—"

The moment Fuyu tugged the door open and she stepped inside, aching and tired and well-deserving of a good nap—a flurry of bodies suddenly slammed into her and she toppled over without a fight, air escaping her lungs and head smacking on the door behind her as she fell in the genkan. "What the hell—"

"Kiki, you lost!" Gin protested, tugging at her uniform and Fuyu blinked wide eyes as the children from the classroom crowded around her entryway, piling over each other and toppling all over her. "You were supposed to do better!"

"At least she made it into the top ten!" Tama snapped, setting small hands on her hips. "Be nice, Gin!"

"Kiki-nee, can you introduce us to the cute boy?" Yui added hopefully, tugging at her sleeve.

"I would have done better!" Tamashiro said loudly, sitting on top of Fuyu's chest as he grinned. "I'll get into Yuuei too and get first place since Kiki couldn't—"

"What are you all doing in my house?" Fuyu snapped, struggling to sit up and snagging the back of Tamashiro's collar so he didn't topple into the flowerpot. "There's not enough room for you brats!"

"How rude," Ichimaru mused, arms crossed over his chest and looking poised as ever a step away from all the carnage. "We were invited into your home, you know. After viewing your defeat at the sports festival."

"Sounds to me like you brats are looking for a beating—"

"Kiki's just mad she lost to that jerk," Tamashiro huffed. "Don't worry, Kiki, I'll get him back for ya. "

"I'd like to see you try—"

"Welcome home, dear," Naomi piped up, stepping from the kitchen with a disgruntled looking Yagi at her side. "Congratulations on your hard work! We invited the children over after the festival ended since they were so riled up. They wanted to let you know how they felt, isn't that sweet?"

"Sounds to me like they just wanted to rub my loss in my face," Fuyu grumbled, shooting a mindful glare at Tamashiro and a grinning Takuto who innocently clasped their hands behind their backs. "I'm tired, you know. I'll play with you guys next time. Get outta here."

"Rude!" Sho protested with a pout. "We wanted to tell you how cool you were in that one fight!"

"I didn't know you could make wings, Kiki-nee!" Tama added with sparkles in her eyes. "You have to do it again—but prettier next time! We can design a costume for you with them in mind and—"

"Who cares about costumes?" Gin snapped and Tama pounced on him with a hiss.

Fuyu winced, rubbing the back of her head and sighing as the kids broke out into loud chatter. It looked like nearly the entire class was present in her small home and Chizuru nowhere in sight. Probably wanted a break from this madness too.

"You performed quite admirably," Ichimaru added with a regal nod, setting a small hand on her shoulder and Fuyu quirked a brow. "Though you may have suffered defeat today, you brought pride to our class as one of our teacher aids."

"It's an honor," Fuyu mused dryly, and her eyes peered through the hallway, drifting to her grandmother who smiled knowingly.

"You were amazing," Naomi said softly, stepping out of the kitchen and closer toward her. The kids quickly scrambled to make way for her grandmother and Naomi knelt down beside the genkan. "We had such a scare watching your fights but you did so well, didn't she, love?"

Fuyu's eyes snapped to the entrance of the hallway where her grandfather had appeared, leaning against the corner wall. Yagi was silent, arms crossed firmly over his own chest and Fuyu sat up, the kids parting around her and waiting patiently, silent for once.

"Find something worthwhile."

"Why... why did you bring me here?"

"I took her away from you, don't you hate me?"

"I lost," Fuyu said finally.

Yagi snorted, walking closer to stand beside his wife as he gazed down at her. "I couldn't tell."

Fuyu glanced down to her hands, settled over her knees and taped up. There was a heavy ache to her shoulders, her arms throbbed and everything screamed for her to rest, to sleep, to heal so she could wake up again the next morning.

To fight another day.

"But you were lookin' forward," Yagi said roughly and Fuyu froze. "That ain't half bad."

Fuyu bowed her head. Choppy bangs slid over her eyes, shadowing half her face and Yagi came to sit beside his wife, resting his arms on his knees as Fuyu reached a shaky hand outwards. Without another word her grandparents extended their hands, Yagi gripping her trembling hand tightly and Naomi curving a thin arm around Fuyu's shoulders to tug her closer.

"I'm sorry," Fuyu said quietly, barely a whisper and Naomi shut her eyes, a small smile on her lips while Yagi turned his eyes toward the ceiling. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry—for everything, for—"

"'s fine," Yagi said gruffly, voice thick and he clutched his granddaughter's hand as tight as he possibly could with the full intent to never let it slip as he had with his own daughter before. "You fool of a granddaughter."

I promise I won't make that face anymore.

Soft hands rubbed her back reassuringly and Tamashiro shifted awkwardly on his feet until Tama roughly kicked him in the shin. "Don't be too upset about losing, Kiki. I promise I'll beat those guys for you next time."

Fuyu laughed, shoulders shaking with the effort as Tamashiro's cheeks flushed and Tama slapped her forehead. The other girls shook their heads in disappointment and Gin raised his hands in a helpless gesture, all of them piling around Fuyu and patting her back comfortingly with mutters of "Don't mind."

"Well," Naomi said finally, clasping her hands together with a bright smile. "I say this calls for a celebration for all your hard work—how does barbeque sound?"

The children all let out victorious cries and Yagi grunted, letting one arm rest on his knee while the other rubbed comforting circles over the back of Fuyu's hand.

"Good job, kid."

---

Incoming call. Incoming call.

Fuyu glanced down to her side where her phone sat, rattling against the tatami mat while the children around her ran with loud cries, some tucking into the meat and vegetables stacked on their plates while others followed Naomi around with offers of help.

A few were bothering Yagi into telling them a story or begging him to use his Quirk—but he gruffly refused or merely thwarted them all with waves of his hand and a hard rice cracker. Fuyu blinked, dodging a flying Goro as his wings beat across the living room and Tamashiro chucked grapes into his waiting mouth.

She idly grabbed her phone, wondering who it could be at this hour as she stood up to step outside.

"Something wrong, dear?" Naomi looked up from handing a drooling Takuto another of her famous rice balls and Fuyu waved a hand.

"Just a phone call, one second!"

Fuyu halted outside the boisterous noise of everyone inside as the children talked loudly and her house teemed with more life than it had in years. The sound brought a smile to her face and she glanced to the vibrating phone in her hand, tugging the screen door to the patio shut behind her as she took a seat and flipped it open. Her eyes widened slightly at the name and she clicked answer.

"Class Rep," Fuyu greeted with a faint grin, mind still buzzing pleasantly and a warm mug of tea at her side. "What's up?"

"...Kouki-san," Iida began quietly. His voice sounded strained, haggard. Fuyu arched a brow at the sound and suffix. "Am I calling at a bad time?"

"No, you're fine," a dried petal floated across the top of the tea she'd brought out with her and Fuyu tipped the cup slightly to watch it sway. "Is everything alright? Don't tell me there was an assignment I forgot or something if you're adding san to my name again."

Fuyu's lame joke fell to silence. A heaviness settled into her stomach and Fuyu quickly racked her mind, thinking back to Iida's hurried expression at the sports festival, of all their small though well-meant interactions and a breeze tugged at her choppy bangs. "...Iida?"

"Forgive me, Kouki." Iida said with a rasp. It sent an uncomfortable chill down her spine considering how put together her classmate usually was. Iida? "You see, when I had to leave earlier today, it was because I received a call from my mother that there was a family emergency."

Fuyu's grip on the mug faltered, the tea beginning to pool to one edge of the cup. "You may or may not be aware... but the Iida family has a long running history of pro heroes. My elder brother, in particular, is the pro hero Ingenium."

The wind chime Naomi had set up rang softly with another breeze, a tag dangling below it to ward off the rain. There was static on the other line and Fuyu remained silent, waiting for the pieces to come together so she could understand her place in this whole thing. I'm sure it's not for something like comfort... he's much closer to Ocha and Midoriya.

"He was attacked by a villain," Iida said, barely above a whisper, but Fuyu heard his heart cracking all the same the moment it finally clicked into place for her. "He... he is a most wonderful hero and an amazing elder brother and his injuries are horribly severe but..."

"Iida," Fuyu said quietly. "I'm... I'm so sorry. Are you... are you alright?"

Silence fell on the other end and she imagined Iida's head bowing. "Yes... I'm fine, but you see, I..."

Iida let out a ragged breath. "He can't feel his legs."

The tea spilled over Fuyu's fingers where the cup had tipped over. Fuyu sat there on the patio, feet dangling just above the soft grass that tickled at her bare feet. The evening sky above her was dark and the sound of laughter behind her was dulled.

"Recovery Girl has come to provide some aid, but with the way his spinal cord was severed, she is unable to repair it back together. My parents have been searching across the country for a doctor that might be able to help and I recalled how you could piece broken bones back together and..."

Fuyu watched the tea pooling around the wood beside her, a soft, light colored puddle as stray petals spun around, making their way to the ledge of the patio.

"...you think I could help?"

"Mother has spoken with the hospital and they are getting ahold of the police to see if a temporary permit could be drawn up..." Iida's voice was tight, thick with pain and sorrow and Fuyu shut her eyes. "Forgive me, Kouki. I know how presumptuous and horrible of me it is to ask this of you, my classmate. I—you may disregard this call. Forgive me—"

"You... trust me?" Fuyu asked hesitantly and Iida was quiet on the other side of the line. "This is your brother... are you sure you'd want...me?"

"I could think of no one better suited," Iida said with fierce earnestness. "I know you may not be able to and we're well aware it might not work out but if we could just...try. Kouki, please forgive me for this horribly selfish request but I will cease this nonsense and formerly ask this of you properly as I should."

Iida sucked in a harsh breath and the tea trickled over the edge of the patio and onto the ground below.

"Kouki... will you help my brother?"

"You only have one purpose."

"This is the least you can do."

"Useless."

"You're allowed to be selfish."

"Oh, Iida," Fuyu said softly, eyes sliding open and her expression was quiet, eyes warm. "Of course I will."

---

The train ride to Hosu City wasn't a particularly short one, but the scenery had sped by within seconds and to Fuyu, she couldn't help but have hoped that it would've been even the slightest bit longer.

The smell of hospitals were all familiar by second nature. It was the medical supplies she found herself far more accustomed too, but hospitals promised them all the same. Long, endless tiled hallways with brightly lit lights. Happy faces, harrowed, gaunt expressions, tears, smiles, the metallic tang of blood and the cold clank of metal. They all swirled together in a familiar barrage of memories, and while as of late, the glance of medical supplies usually calmed her heart with the thought of Shuzenji, today was a different occasion.

"I've always hated hospitals," Yagi complained loudly beside her, hands shoved deep into his oversized jacket that reminded Fuyu how old he was getting. "Stinks."

Visitor passes were stickered onto their chests, a badge dangling from Fuyu's neck where a special notice had been stamped onto a paper and slid into a card holder with her identification. Apparently a policer officer would be waiting for them in front of the room with the proper papers and to go over the necessary logistics behind what she was about to be allowed to do.

Fuyu and her grandfather had taken the earliest bullet train to Hosu City the following morning after a brief explanation to her grandparents. Naomi had sent them off with packed lunches and a soft kiss to her cheek, eyes gazing meaningfully at her husband who stood off to the side with a cigarette between his lips.

"You just hate what they have to tell you," Fuyu reminded quietly, tugging at the sleeves of her sweater.

It was an old, pastel orange thing with fraying edges on the sleeves. Cotton and a tacky All Might insignia faded on the right chest pocket, some limited edition thing Yagi had won from a poker night, apparently. She tucked most of it into her black jeans and while something with a little more skin would've been more appropriate for this matter, she wanted to be in something that made her comfortable.

Yagi grunted, hand shuffling through his pocket for another cigarette and Fuyu jerked an elbow into his side. Her grandfather shot her a dry look and Fuyu tipped her head toward the no smoking sign on the elevator wall.

As though to add to her point, Yagi broke out into a rough cough, his hand reaching up to rub at his chest and Fuyu's eyes watched the rise and fall of his chest carefully. "Did you go to your check up last week?"

"I did," Yagi snapped with no real malice behind his breathlessness. "Came up clear as usual. You expect anything different?"

Fuyu pointedly ignored his jab. Her grandfather could say what he liked and despite how often they fought and snapped at each other's heels—she loved him. Naomi and Yagi were two of the most precious people in her life and she owed them more than she could ever return. As long as blood ran through her veins and her Quirk thrummed beneath her skin, she'd do whatever she could to make sure they lived until they were sick of living, and then some.

The floors flashed by in bright numbers and Fuyu's fingers twitched at her sides. With a Quirk like this, it's the least I can do.

She'd only picked up smoking as a bad habit and a dull chase for the familiar, nostalgic warmth it brought to her chest. Fuyu had to quit soon after she started it during her second year of middle school with Shinsou's adamant presence and when Yagi's results had turned up the following week, she threw the pack with everything she had from the rooftop.

Her grandfather refused to drop the habit despite everything—and it'd always driven Fuyu insane. But catching him some nights on the patio with his legs crossed and two cigarettes lit, one in his hand and the other sitting untouched in a tray at his side as though an offering to someone else, his shoulders hunched and face soft—she didn't find it in herself to put up much more of a fuss.

The symptoms disappeared, results suddenly came up clear, and the doctors had all praised him for quitting and this sudden miracle. The ones who caught on had slipped her grandparents notices and propositions for schooling and opening positions, but those were all burned or shredded up. Yagi and Fuyu had their first real, vicious fight but he never made her stop, and Fuyu had been so hopelessly glad because—

I could be useful.

"You don't have to do this," Yagi said gruffly.

"I know," Fuyu responded softly.

Their eyes met and the elevator dinged, metal doors sliding open to reveal the long hallway awaiting them.

I don't want to just be useful. Fuyu thought about Iida's pained voice, his rigid, robotic motions that made Ochako and the rest laugh and the firm clasp of his hand as he shook hers with the wish for a good tournament.

"What it is you should do."

She wanted to be helpful.

"I want too."

Fuyu stepped into the hallway. The chilly air conditioning bit at her cheeks and the stagnant air wafted by her nose. Yagi followed behind her with a slight limp, the bright fluorescent lights shadowing their figures and they turned the corner where the room should be.

Four figures greeted their view only several feet away. Fuyu's eyes locked onto Iida's form first, hunched over and head bowed low as his arms rested on his knees. He was still in his school uniform, rumpled and creased—not the Iida I know. The sight made her stomach twist sharply and she comforted herself with the idea that maybe after today she could change that.

Beside him was a woman the spitting image of himself, his mother most likely, with glasses and a pained, tight face as she spoke with a man in business attire beside her. Ink black hair and quietly dark eyes, leather straps dangled over his shoulders where empty holsters hung and Fuyu figured he must've been with the police.

Aizawa with his newly free arms, no longer bound in slings, stood beside them, speaking quietly with the other two adults and a bandage plastered across his cheek and nose. His hair had been tied back into a low ponytail and he was dressed in more business attire compared to his usual uniform.

"...hi," Fuyu offered softly, stopping a few lengths away for privacy and immediately all four heads swung around at her voice.

Iida stood abruptly, his mother freezing in place as her hands sought each other out and clasped themselves tightly in front of her. The policeman looked thoughtful, regarding Fuyu and her grandfather for a moment while Aizawa met her gaze and then Yagi's behind her.

Iida quickly strode forward, his sleeves had been rolled up and a medical mask peeked from his pocket. "Kouki. I—thank you for coming. This is... I hope your trip was well. I—we—"

He came to a rough halt in front of her, hands half raised at his sides, eyes swimming and swirling with a storm of emotions. Fuyu offered him a reassuring smile, brows creasing gently. "'s okay. I... I'm glad I can help."

"Thank you so much for coming," Iida's mother strode forward, offering a slightly shaking hand before it stilled. "I'm Tenya's mother. Thank you so much, Kouki-san. My son has only spoken the best of you and... Thank you for making the trip out here."

Fuyu shook her hand politely and Iida's mother's eyes drifted to Yagi behind her and she bowed deeply. "Thank you for allowing her to come."

"It was her choice," Yagi said quietly, voice a little rough but his eyes were quiet, subdued. "You don't need to thank this old sack of bones for anything."

Yagi's eyes drifted to the man beside them, waiting. A polite smile touched his lips and he stepped forward, bowing slightly as well and offering a hand. "I'm Detective Tsukauchi. I was previously investigating the Hero Killer cases along with their victims and was called to have the permit forms drafted up."

"She won't be punished in anyway?" Yagi prompted, face hard and Fuyu glanced to her grandfather in surprise.

"With the consent of the patient and the hospital, the acting policeman at the moment requesting for temporary use of special abilities outside the proper grounds and in this case, Yuuei's formal allowance of one of their students to be acting," Tsukauchi drew forward several forms. "And as long as you, the guardian, and you," he nodded toward Fuyu, "consent as well to the regulations of this temporary permit, then there are no squabbles or conflictions with the law."

"I've already spoken with the principal," Aizawa added as he stepped toward them and Yagi instantly turned his attention to the more familiar face. "She has the school's permission, along with her mentor, Shuzenji, and myself, her homeroom teacher."

Yagi's shoulders relaxed slightly and Tsukauchi looked understanding. "Considering the special case of a civil servant employed by the government being involved, we've taken extra care with this to make sure everything would go as smoothly as possible."

"Shuzenji's making rounds right now while she's here, but we can wait until she comes back if you'd like." Aizawa said.

"It's fine," Fuyu said softly, rubbing her arm as her fingers drifted to her hand but she pulled away. "He's... not in the best shape, right?"

"We'll offer any reimbursement for your troubles," Iida's mother added hurriedly, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "The train rides and anything else, please allow us to do that much for what you're doing today."

Yagi waved her away, shaking his head. Iida was silent beside his mother, head bowed and fingers curled tightly into fists at his sides. Fuyu eyed him for a moment, lips parting when Tsukauchi appeared in her view. "Kouki-san, would you mind if we stepped aside for a moment to get these forms signed and to go over a few things before we begin with the... procedure?"

Yagi glanced up and Fuyu nodded toward her grandfather, stepping aside with Tsukauchi and Aizawa a little ways away and taking a seat on one of the metal benches. "...this can't wait till after? From what Iida said, we should get started."

"Ingenium is indeed gravely injured," Tsukauchi admitted grimly, but his eyes were honest. Fuyu decided he seemed trustworthy enough. "Which is why it's important we make sure all the legalities are in order before anything else."

"Considering the extent of his injuries, he's stable for now," Aizawa explained. "But in situations like these, it's better to make sure we leave no room for error."

Fuyu glanced down to her hands as Tsukauchi searched for a pen and set the clipboard with documents down beside her. "I might not even be able to do much."

"All things considered," Tsukauchi clicked the ballpoint pen in his hands and watched Fuyu quietly. "That man in there has nothing else to lose."

Fuyu grimaced. A hand settled on her shoulder and she glanced up to where Aizawa was looking down at her, his face almost stern but his eyes said enough. "...you're sure you want to do this?"

"The client tonight is suffering from internal bleeding."

"Broken ribs."

"Punctured lung."

"Please, Kouki."

"One of my class—one of my friends is asking me for a favor," a small smile touched her lips, weak but earnest and she patted Aizawa's hand. "I want to do this."

"You'll only be doing what you can within your own limitations," Aizawa said calmly. "Nothing more. This is only a temporary permit after all."

"If I need to do it in sessions?"

"We'll cross that hurdle if we must."

Fuyu nodded, grabbing the clipboard beside her. She didn't have much heart to skim through its contents and she doubted the people in front of her would be tricking her into signing her life away. You wanted this. Just do what you can.

She looked up when Tsukauchi didn't hand her the pen and paused, regarding his own thoughtful expression curiously. "Kouki-san... I may be prying with this, and you don't have to answer—I promise whatever you say is protected under oath. But you... are one of the children rescued from the Sakura Night raid, aren't you?"

Fuyu stilled and Aizawa turned over to Tsukauchi. "Is it necessary to know?"

"Ah, no, nothing of the sort," Tsukauchi promised, waving his hand and rubbing the back of his neck. "You see, when I was gathering the proper documents from the Quirk Registry and going over everything to outline your Quirk specifics, I saw what it was and at the time of the raid I remembered that one of the children rescued had a Quirk like yours."

Tsukauchi bowed his head slightly and quickly handed her the pen. "I didn't mean to pry, my apologies. I was rising through the ranks at that time and the mission stood out to me as strikingly profound despite how under wraps it was kept. It was considered a great success compared to other raids."

"It's fine," Fuyu mumbled, taking the pen from his hand. Aizawa's hand squeezed her shoulder reassuringly and then dropped to his side. "It's been awhile since anyone talked about it anyway—it's past stuff. I won't suddenly faint if you bring it up."

I might be sick if I think about it any longer though. Fuyu stilled her trembling fingers and put the pen to paper so she could sign. "I... are the others doing well?"

Aizawa was silent. Tsukauchi looked as though he were carefully considering her question and Fuyu smiled. "'s okay. I get if it's classified or something—my own status was kept pretty under wraps too, wasn't it?"

"That was because of your Quirk," Aizawa said carefully, and though he didn't add the last part Fuyu heard it loud and clear. And because of him.

"From what I've been told," Tsukauchi began. "I believe two of the five are living peaceful lives in adopted families, one moved over seas and is living a fair life as well. One... unfortunately passed away do to the severity of the injuries but the other..."

Tsukauchi's lips turned into a smile as Fuyu signed her name along the line and handed him the clipboard. "I heard is becoming a promising hero at one of the nation's finest schools."

Fuyu paused as Tsukauchi took the documents. Aizawa crossed his arms over his chest, looking away and a small, tentative smile touched her own lips as she glanced down to her scuffed up orange high tops.

"I hope that's true."

"If Kouki-san is ready," they glanced up as a doctor waited before them, hands in his pockets and a mask lowered. Iida and his mother stood beside a door, Iida's eyes on the ground and his mother watching them patiently. "We'll have her now."

Fuyu stood, quietly rolling her sleeves up to her elbows. Aizawa went to stand beside Yagi, the two of them watching her in silence with the same matching expression and it comforted the uneasiness gnawing at her stomach. Tsukauchi stepped aside and Fuyu waited behind the doctor as Iida's mother slid the door open and they all stepped inside.

The first thing that assaulted her senses was the familiar, sharp scent of antibiotics. A metal tang hung in the air, cold and crisp as it sent goosebumps along her skin. Soft, steady beeps filled the dull background noise beside the rise and fall of ragged breathing.

Wires of all kind crisscrossed along his body. Tubes jutting from his arm and his abdomen where it seemed he'd received an extensive internal wound which had just barely been operated on. A breathing mask was placed over his mouth and nose, clouding with the sign of his steady breathing. Bandages wrapped all across his head and his body and Fuyu's eyes drifted to where his legs were laid out along his bed, pale and unmoving.

The Turbo Hero: Ingenium. Fuyu's eyes traveled back up to the creased brows, familiar metal blue hair peeking through his bandages and the same defined jawline. Tensei Iida.

Iida's mother sucked in a sharp, trembling breath and Iida placed a hand on her back to steady her, guiding them to a spot along the wall to provide Fuyu and the doctor some room. The door behind her slid shut, reminding her the finality of her actions.

"Is there anything you'd like me to do?" The doctor inquired quietly and Fuyu clicked her ring, the small blade sliding out.

"...could I get a chair?" Fuyu asked politely.

Iida quickly grabbed one from beside them and placed it beside his brother's bed. Fuyu flashed him a thankful smile and he inclined his head, expression strained but eyes so quietly hopeful.

You've done things like this a million times. Fuyu quietly took a seat beside the bed side. Blood traveled from the cut she'd slit along her palm, stretching in a tendril as it reached out to the injured man in front of her. It's just like that.

"You have a client tonight."

"...are you... my brother's friend?" A quiet voice rasped, muffled and barely a whisper.

Fuyu looked over and dull, hazy gunmetal blues were trying to focus on her. Fuyu went silent, taking in his furrowed brows, the strained rise and fall of his chest and she used her blood to probe along his body, feeling the extent of his injuries.

"Yeah," Fuyu said quietly, resting her arms along the metal railing of his bed as she gently curved her fingers. "Kouki Fuyu. We're in the same class... um, thank you for your service."

"Tensei." A strained laugh left his lips and that seemed to take all the effort in the world from him. "From what... it sounds like... I need... to thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," Fuyu warned gently. I might not be able to save you.

His eyes creased around the corners, head shifting with some difficulty due to all the tubes and his breather. "You... okay?"

Fuyu's hand paused. Her blood hovered over his abdomen, a little ways past the stomach wound and toward his lower back where she could feel it. Clean through. They'd explained to her that it'd been a blade wound and she was all too familiar with those. Blood still pulsed through his legs, the circulation hadn't been cut off and the only damage was toward the bundle of sensitive nerves gathered at the base of his spine.

Shuzenji could speed his healing process along, but she couldn't regrow severed nerves. Fuyu curved her fingers slightly and her blood prodded along his hips, feeling the veins that still intersected throughout his body. I can heal the wounds with some time and a good amount of blood.

"He can't feel his legs."

But that's not what they're hoping from me. Fuyu set her hands in her lap and kept her gaze on the base of his stomach. The healing properties in her blood allowed her to repair and transform the proper blood cells to replace former functions. It would take a lot of concentration and she'd never healed a wound quite like this before. Whether or not he'd be able to use his Quirk properly again was an entirely different question, but if it was just severed nerves then perhaps...

"Hey..." fingers barely brushed against her own and Fuyu head snapped back to Tensei's face, the smallest of smiles on his lips. "Don't... worry." Don't push yourself.

No. Fuyu realized quietly as she drew her blood back. This isn't like those other times. This is different.

"I've been told you're a great hero," Fuyu said quietly. Her eyes began to glow a soft red and a frayed, deep red strand wriggled gently in front of her eyes. "My Class Rep speaks the best of you."

I want to do this.

"I'm...nothing... much," he breathed raggedly and Fuyu smiled, stretching her fingers outwards. Your brother's a good guy, Iida.

"Whether or not you'll be able to do what you used to do... I don't know if I can promise you any of that," Fuyu began gently. "But Ingenium-san—"

His eyes trained themselves fully on her. Determined, gentle, but she could see the fierce, bright hope that shone so quietly beneath it all. Complete faith in a stranger he didn't even know. Complete faith that she might be able to heal him instead of hurt him.

"Connecting with someone on a level like this is such a precious thing. It's your heart to theirs, your fate with theirs. That's why..."

"You will make it out of this room."

Fuyu's fingers enclosed around red.

"You should never do harm with it."

Her entire body lurched, feet jerking out roughly. Fuyu bit down on her lip, fingers quickly gripping the metal railing in front of her with a knuckle white grip. Tensei stiffened, his heart rate speeding up on the monitor beside them as his eyes went wide. Fuyu let out a ragged breath, sweat dribbling down the side of her brow and her entire body surged with white hot pain, her lower back exploding with heat.

Iida and his mother stood, chairs clattering and the doctor rushed to their side. Fuyu sucked in greedy gasps of air, eyes snapping to Tensei's watering eyes and she swallowed. "Can—can you...?"

His hand snapped out, gripping the metal railing tightly. Tensei breathed a ragged breath, muscles straining and then—

His toes curled.

Iida's mother began to sob, hands pressing over her mouth as she chanted her son's name. Iida's knees hit the floor beside the bed, eyes filling with tears behind his glasses. The doctor quickly ordered Tensei to try once more and his toes curled in response, tears pooling into Tensei's eyes as he panted. Fuyu shut her eyes. "I-I feel them—"

Fuyu shakily stood from her chair, taking wobbling, careful steps back toward the door. I shouldn't be here. The molten pain was spreading across her lower back and Fuyu took slow breaths, her entire body surging with energy as blood rushed throughout her, centering on her lower back and she staggered toward the door.

Trembling fingers tugged it open and she barely pulled herself through. Her vision turned hazy, tears gathering at the corners. Yagi and Aizawa turned sharply, their eyes going wide and Fuyu's lips parted.

Snap.

Pain seared through her entire body. A molten knife jabbed itself through her lower back and twisted. Fuyu's legs wobbled and then her knees hit the floor.

Her fingers scrabbled along the tile and her lips parted in a soundless scream, back arching violently and she hit the floor on her side. Ragged pants escaped her mouth, chest heaving and Fuyu curled in on herself, white hot flashes of pain searing throughout her body. Her Quirk worked overtime, heart stuttering weakly against her chest to try and heal wounds that hadn't been hers and suddenly hands were on her shoulders and back, Aizawa and Yagi shouting.

Her entire vision blurred, tears dripping down the side of her face and Fuyu choked on a shuddering sob. Her hand stretched out weakly and Yagi quickly gripped it. "Fuyu."

"D-D-Did it," Fuyu gasped.

Aizawa's hand squeezed her arm as realization clouded his face. "I said within your limits."

"It was," Fuyu gasped out, "E-Easier like this—"

Fuyu sobbed, her entire body shaking as she turned her head. She pressed her cheek into the floor and her legs jerked out behind her. Yagi let out a ragged breath.

"Grandpa," Fuyu whimpered against the floor. "I-It hurts."

Her words broke off into ragged sobs, her lower back glowing a soft red. Aizawa shut his eyes, running soothing motions along her arm and Yagi's hand hesitated above her head.

His fingers twitched, wanting nothing more than to curve gently around her head in the easiest form of comfort. Yagi's lips twisted into furious scowl for the briefest of seconds, regret in his eyes and then he gripped her hands tightly instead in his gnarled ones, holding them to his chest.

"I know, sweetie. I know."

Aizawa squeezed her arm tightly. "You did well, Fuyu."

Fuyu couldn't help the sobs racking through her body, crying into the floor as pain, pain, pain flashed through her mind. She inhaled a ragged breath, gripping Yagi's hand hard enough to hurt and he merely gripped it back in return, murmuring soft words by her ear.

The door roughly slid open and Iida burst forth, a breathless smile on his face as he jerked his mask off. "Kouki, I—"

His eyes settled on her writhing form and Iida froze. His eyes went wide and his entire body slumped, mask slipping from his fingers before hitting the floor.

"...Kouki?"

---

"Uwah! It looks like it's going to rain. But the clouds look so powerful!"

Fuyu beamed at the message, a cold breeze tugging at her hair and tousling it a bit. Another quickly appeared and she hit the button to open it up. "Where'd you go to get that shot though?"

"Ground view." Fuyu typed back with a proud smile. "Can't get a view like that from rooftops. Some things are best on the ground, y'know?"

Her legs were stretched out in front of her. Veins pressed slightly against the skin, her Quirk still working in overtime along her lower back to repair the damage she'd transferred. It'd already been a furious struggle to get her shoes onto limp feet and a wheelchair was tipped over on its side beside her so it didn't roll down the steep hill along the riverbank.

They'd wheeled her home with crutches to boot since Shuzenji estimated in a day or two with the speed of her Quirk she should be able to move to crutches. Aizawa had helped them home, muttering things all the same while Yagi complained he was the one who should be in a wheelchair, not her. Their words were rough but they numbed the pain throbbing at her lower back.

Naomi had fluttered around the house, trying to get her things and making room for the wheelchair while Yagi had snapped at her to just stay put and sleep.

But Fuyu never liked being cooped up in a room or singular place for too long and being unable to move her legs properly made the feeling worse. She'd gotten into a fight with her grandfather and declared that if she didn't get out of the apartment she'd wreak utter havoc. Yagi had threatened to put her to sleep with Naomi's Quirk, but Fuyu had promptly used her blood to construct a sloppy ramp and get herself out the doorway.

Of course, maybe heading to the riverbank usually present in her memories hadn't been the best destination for someone in a wheelchair with limited mobility, but Fuyu had managed to make it from the wheelchair to the hillside with some help from her blood and knocked the wheelchair over for good measure so it didn't roll away.

Something told her this was where she needed to be for the best healing, anyway.

Midoriya's reply came in the form of a picture and Fuyu opened it up, blinking in amusement at the photo of several flowers growing from a corner stop. Based on the angle he must've squatted down to get the ground level view. "These always grow by my house this time of year. My mom thinks they're pretty but I don't know what they're called."

Fuyu examined the deep purple petals and hummed. "Irises."

His reply came back quick. "Really? I never knew!"

Another picture was sent and Fuyu smiled at the hanging flowers over someone's wall. "These?"

"Bluebells."

"Ah. That makes sense." She laughed, imagining Midoriya muttering to himself and another message appeared. "Kouki, you know a lot about flowers. I didn't expect that."

Ding. "I mean, not that it doesn't suit you!" Ding. "I shouldn't judge! Sorry!"

"'s fine." Fuyu typed back and hit the button. "Someone I knew before taught me a lot."

"I fink it's cool!"

Fuyu raised a brow and a corrected text was sent soon after. "Sorry. Hard to text with one hand."

"Kouki."

Fuyu halted mid-response. She blinked at the phone to make sure she it hadn't been the source and turned her head toward the sound of her name.

Gray like the rumbling clouds above them and sea glass met her gaze quietly. Fuyu blinked once more in surprise, wind tugging at her fringes and it ruffled the collar of Todoroki's black dress shirt. A bag was strapped over his shoulder and his hands were in his beige pant pockets, expression even as he gazed at her.

"Hey," Fuyu offered easily, setting her phone down at her side. "You come here often?"

Todoroki quirked a brow and Fuyu grinned in response. His eyes drifted to her position and then zeroed in on the wheelchair beside her. Fuyu stilled and Todoroki stiffened, shoulders pulling back slightly and his eyes remained fixed on it for a second longer before settling on her.

"If you ask me what happened," Fuyu warned. "I'm going to run."

Todoroki's eyes flickered back to the wheelchair and then pointedly to her legs. The expression on his face made it clear that he was calculating the actual probability that she could perform such a feat and seemed satisfied with his answer by the way he fixed her with a pointed look.

"I'll throw it at you." Fuyu amended.

His briefly contemplative look seemed to find that outcome far more plausible and he pulled his hands from his pockets, letting them hang at his sides.

"Did you forget how to use your Quirk?"

Fuyu scowled and Todoroki took a couple steps so that he stood only a bit above her on the leveled ground before the hill sloped toward the riverbank. "It's actually working right now, mind you."

"I see." Todoroki responded coolly. He took a long moment examining her legs stretched out in front of her and then the knocked over wheelchair at her side. "You found this to be wise if you're still healing?"

"I can't stand being cooped up," Fuyu responded with a huff, leaning back on her hands and letting the breeze tousle her hair. "Needed some fresh air. Plus, it's not as bad as it looks."

She also couldn't bring herself to open the letter that had arrived with an extravagant arrangement of flowers from the Iida family. Several letters, actually, and one that asked if she could call them as soon as possible so they could thank her properly in person.

"What was the original damage?"

"Se—" Fuyu cut herself off, squinting first at the riverbank and then turning narrowed eyes toward a painfully indifferent Todoroki, not a hint of emotion on his face. "I'm adding sly to the list."

Todoroki didn't look the least bit deterred. "I was not aware you'd been making one."

"You know, when I wanted to run into you, it was a pain to find you," Fuyu complained loudly, eyes narrowed into slits as she stared up at him. "And now it's like you're popping out of the woodwork."

"You'd prefer if I wasn't here?"

"No," Fuyu bit out unwillingly. "I'm glad you're here. It's our spot, isn't it?"

Todoroki was silent at that, eyes remaining on the side of her head but Fuyu merely watched the water along the riverbed flow downstream. Rocks peeked through the surface, polished and covered slightly with moss. Cattails bobbed on the side along with bushels of flowers that had yet to bloom. Hydrangeas.

"I'm sure this particular spot belongs to others, as well," Todoroki said finally and Fuyu shrugged.

"Well, right now it's ours," Fuyu said stubbornly. "And I'll beat any brats that try otherwise."

Todoroki glanced to her wheelchair and Fuyu held up a fist in response.

"Just felt right to be here," Fuyu added as she rubbed her legs, heat warming beneath her fingers and she followed the pulse of blood, urging it toward her lower back. "Made me feel better."

The clouds above them rumbled threateningly. Yagi had taken one look outside and said with complete certainty that rain was coming—a weird sixth sense he'd always had for the weather that rubbed off on Fuyu. She doubted they'd break tonight anyway.

"Coming here helps clear my mind," Todoroki said quietly.

Fuyu felt a small smile tug at her lips at his words. She absently rubbed her fingers along her leg, massaging it as the muscles twitched along her touch. "Did you do what you needed to do?"

"Partially," Todoroki said honestly, and Fuyu looked to him curiously as he stepped onto the hillside beside her. A brush of cold followed his right side next to her. "It's... in the works. There's still something else I need to do."

Fuyu hummed. "That's a start."

I need to get those thank you gifts too. Fuyu's brows scrunched in thought. In a wheelchair makes it harder—maybe I can go tomorrow on crutches? But carrying stuff will be hard...

There was a rustle of paper and Fuyu paused, glancing to the outstretched items suddenly in her view. Dark red examined the small pink paper bag in Todoroki's hand and the tea candy that sat in his palm. Her eyes rose up to his face and he had his eyes trained on the riverbank this time, shoulders relaxed, eyes quiet.

Like one less knife.

"It's not a book," Todoroki said quietly. "But perhaps it will suffice."

Fuyu's lips parted, her heart twisting sharply before she exhaled. A half smile touched her lips despite the haziness and she gingerly took the items from his grasp, setting them in her lap and twisting the tea candy this way and that.

"They're pretty good, huh?"

"My sister took a liking to them," Todoroki watched as she popped it into her mouth, sighing in pleasure and then she set to work on the small paper packaging. "I'm aware you side with orange more," he nodded toward her shoes. "But this seemed fitting."

Fuyu pulled the fancy pink paper aside and halted. Her fingers hovered over the bright red scrunchie sitting in her lap, a little less ruffled and more like a smooth, thick band of fabric. It was almost silky to the touch, two small silver bells dangled from thin red strings wound around it.

"Rozu said the same thing," Fuyu mused, lifting it gently. The bells clanked together with a soft tinkle and she began to gather her hair in one hand while she stretched it out with the other. "A little fancy for my tastes."

Fuyu tightened her ponytail and turned to Todoroki with a bright grin. "But thanks."

The bells tinkled behind her and he gazed at it for a moment, the bright red a stark contrast with her dark gray hair and matching the deep red of her irises.

"When we first met, I thought you were a yokai." Todoroki's fingers idly ghosted over his left hand. "Come to spirit me away."

Fuyu looked startled by the revelation, brows knitting as she tried to rack her memory for any such meeting. "No way."

"The branches sticking out of your hair looked like oni horns."

"C'mon, that sounds a little much," Fuyu deflated, thoroughly disgruntled with her constant comparison to the mythical ogres. "Don't tell me I had a metal club, too?"

Todoroki was silent and Fuyu's head snapped toward him in disbelief. His face was impassive but the faintest glint of amusement glittered behind his eyes and she scowled, punching his leg with little to no effect. "Don't let getting second place get to your head now. You're still the newest member of the We-lost-to-Bakugou club."

Todoroki arched a brow. "I've been meaning to inquire about the origins of the name."

"Yeah, well," Fuyu glanced stubbornly away. "Tell me a bit more about the past and maybe I'll tell you."

Todoroki made a small noise in the back of his throat, eyes drifting upwards to the gathering clouds above them and then at the wheelchair at her side. "Perhaps we should move this conversation elsewhere first."

Fuyu crossed her arms stubbornly over her chest. "I like the rain."

"Are you fond of colds as well?"

Fuyu scowled once more and Todoroki extended a hand to help her up. "My immune system's better than yours, you know."

"We wouldn't want to push your Quirk too much," Todoroki said passively. Fuyu huffed, reaching to take his hand when she paused.

Fuyu eyed his extended right hand, Todoroki watching her calmly as he waited. She stubbornly extended her left hand instead, waiting with a pointed stare. Todoroki paused momentarily, regarding her hand and then with quiet exaggeration extended his left hand in response.

Fuyu beamed, fingers clasping around his warm hand and Todoroki hauled her to her feet. "People typically shake with their right, you know."

"We're not shaking hands," Fuyu's legs trembled uncertainly and Todoroki's hand reached around to steady her but Fuyu stiffly pushed it aside. She cut a thin gash along her palm and blood reached downwards, winding around her legs to steady herself and she shakily leaned against his arm. "...can you grab that, please?"

Todoroki made no jabs, bending down while keeping his arm extended for her and tugging her wheelchair upright. Fuyu quickly collapsed into the seat with a sigh of relief, blood curving around her legs.

Red glanced over to where Todoroki looked somewhat thoughtful and she raised a brow. "What?"

"...you're unnecessarily stubborn."

"So?" Fuyu grunted, pointedly gripping the wheels of her chair to urge her uphill. In that instant the wheels began to curve backwards and Fuyu lurched, the entire wheelchair nearly toppling downside had Todoroki not carefully grabbed a handle.

Todoroki said nothing, merely staring at the side of her head and Fuyu stubbornly jerked her head to the side. "...just to the sidewalk... please."

He moved her chair with ease up the hill and Fuyu crossed her arms over her chest with a huff.

"You're lucky I happen to know a good café close by where we can get a discount."

"I'm honored."

---

Next Chapter:

The importance of a name. Rain and the promise of what it brings. An out of season flower. Regret and a wandering man.

"It's not just a string... It's someone's heart."

---

MORE HIGHLIGHTS:

"My brain loves the situation of this awful love X where Fuyu is at intersection of the lines. And she has feelings for the people at the top points of the X (Midoriya and Yaoyorozu because they're just so nice) and the people at the bottom points have feelings for her (Todoroki and Bakugo because I think your Todoroki seems suave as hell when it comes to courting based on the short you showed us and I want a pining Bakugo). Honestly I'm just thinking about fanfiction of your fanfiction rn lolol."

"i'm hiding under the blankets of my bed grasping my phone in the dark with shaking fingers and god damn am i sobbing!"

"Do you perhaps realize that you're only 9 chapters in and you have 129k words already? I love you so much for that I love long ass stories that shake my priorities :')"

"Hallo hello, I AM HERE, to give out some theories once more!"

"Your story has become more and more intrigued to me. Like, seriously, you could turn this into a book or sth. Fuyu, so far, has showed to be much more than we thought she could be. The story started out at light-heartedness, but the more we read, the more we see how complex a character our healer actually are. Every character is connected to her, one way or another, just like a red string (I see what you did there)."

(you all know who you are :'))

On topic with the comments as well, DON'T EVER APOLOGIZE FOR THE LENGTH OF A REVIEW BECAUSE DO YOU KNOW HOW AMAZING IT IS THAT YOU ALL TAKE THE TIME OUT TO EVEN WRITE THEM AND HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THE CHAPTER? WELL, IT'S HELLA AMAZING. When you take the time out to write a lengthy chapter and you guys take the time out to go out of you way to just say something, gush about the chapter, talk about what you loved—it honestly makes all the hours put into the chapter so, so worth it.

It's ridiculously fun to write these stories but it's ten times better knowing people are enjoying them as well. So thank you for favoring, following, everything—AND WE'RE PAST 200 REVIEWS THAT'S AMAZIN.

I wanted to take a moment to say as well that I'm over the moon when you guys say you can relate to Fuyu. She's a little different from my other characters but the things I wanted her to struggle with aren't just for the sake of plot devices, they're heavier topics and border darker undertones. It's also why she may be out of the woods for now, but the path is still a long one. And while I may just be someone spewing words behind a screen, if any of you are ever troubled or just struggling, I'm always with open ears to just hear anyone out. It's a personal thing and I'm just Marshmellowtime on the website, but I promise I'm a living, breathing person on this side too, and of course though we might not know each other, if you just want someone to talk to, my PM box is always open.

ON A BETTER NOTE.

The Todoroki interactions are strong in this chapter. More character developments to come, look forward to them ;)

And you all thought it was just the flower boy to look out for ;)

GLAD THAT YOU ALL LOVE THE FIGHT SCENES BECAUSE I LOVE WRITING ACTION SEQUENCES SO LOOK FORWARD TO MORE TO COME. Especially since you all know who's coming up next and c'mon, with his Quirk, Fuyu's about to walk into a shit show.

Who will she intern with? What will her name be? Will she even be a part of that arc? Find out next update ;)

To answer some questions: Does that mean she can't get drunk/be affected by other toxins? Fuyu's control over her blood and the healing properties within them allow her to heal any infections that would've started (like stopping a tumor before it becomes one) but with people who have already previously been effected, the result may vary and it's not likely she'd be able to help someone with cancer per say unless undergoing extensive treatment or possible transferring it to herself (which she may not even be able to properly heal in one go) With alcohol, she could focus on filtering it out of her system and fats like she could with poison, but it's an extremely taxing process that requires her to lose a lot of the blood where she could gather the toxins and expel it from her body. So it'd just be a lot easier for her to be drunk tbh. This also means external pain killers are dulled on her and she has to use her own, natural pain killers instead. What do you think of my villain academia? Lowkey love villain versions of everyone, it's a guilty sin.

LAST OF ALL THIS WORD VOMIT. I HAVE, DO TO POPULAR REQUEST, FINALLY CLEANED UP MY TUMBLR AND IT IS NOW READY TO ROLL BABES.

It's newly cleaned up and organized so there isn't much going on, but feel free to pop over! I plan on using it to communicate easier and talk about updates or future happenings. I'm taking requests for headcanons, one-shots, chapter/character/ship analysis and just random theories (LIKE WHO IS THE TRAITOR IN BNHA? HMM. I HAVE MY THOUGHTS) Or just pop in to talk fandom with me :')

You can find me under the username alkhale! If you see the Hinata profile pic you're at the right place.

P.S – If any of ya can guess what Fuyu's hero name will be, there's a special (written) prize involved ;)

THANK YOU FOR READING AND MWAH.

Marshmellow-

-OUT!