Midori the Queen
Chapter 24: Eri's trust
All in all being the future bride of a Yakuza had major perks. Once Izumi had earned the trust and respect of the members they treated her like royalty. For the most part the men were sweet and polite to her. Some feared her which was just as fine, and all referred to her as either Lady Karma, or Lady Izumi depending on the circle. They waited on her hand and foot, taught her the general customs and practices of women in her station such as making tea from scratch, and how to properly receive guests. They even taught her new games such as Shogi and Karuta.
With obstacle one completed Izumi thought it was high time that she and Eri spent some quality time together. The girl would be her responsibility from now on and she wanted to earn her trust and friendship. Just because she had to fill in as a mother figure didn't necessarily mean she needed to act like a mama. She would try befriending the girl first; get to know her, take her and Kota out for ice cream, and just go from there.
She sent Touya and Kota out for clothes and other items she'd need for the outing. After that she talked a few of the clan members to keep Chisaki busy with business so he wouldn't interrupt their time together. Once she had everything in place she snagged the key to Eri's room from Chisaki's office and made her way downstairs.
"Eri?" She gently knocked on the door and peeked her head into the bedroom. The girl jolted up from her bed staring through the dark room and at Izumi's silhouette. "Its okay, it's just me. May I come in?"
The girl whimpered a little, holding her chest as the fear made her heart skip and shake against her ribs. Still she nodded, and Izumi stepped in closing the door behind her.
This woman, Eri thought as she gave Izumi a once over, was different from the others. Her touch and voice were so kind and polite. It wasn't forced or fake. She sat upright as Izumi approached, and peeked warily at the bag she carried.
"Thanks, we didn't really get the chance to talk the last time I was here." She held up her hand, waiting for Eri's permission before gently petting her hair. The touch was so soft and gentle that Eri's face softened to a wondered look rather than a frightened one. "Kai said I'm supposed to be taking on the role of your mother...but I don't want you to force yourself to think of me like that."
"Are you…" she spoke softly and meekly. "Are you really going to marry him?"
"I am… but you don't have to worry about me Eri." She took her hands warming them up between hers. "I know you're not happy here. I'd like to know why… but I understand if you don't want to say anything."
Eri flinched and shook her head violently.
"I don't… I don't like it when he's angry."
"He's a pretty scary guy when he's angry… but I'll work on that." She smiled. "I'm here to help, Eri. I'd like to start with us being friends." She stood up and sat next to her rubbing her back. "Do you think that would be okay?"
"Friends?" She nervously played with her hands, a habit Izumi remembered having as a kid whenever she got nervous or didn't know what to say. "What do friends do?"
"Well they do all kinds of things. They tell each other stories, they play games, go exploring, shopping…"
" I don't know any good stories," Eri quickly cut her off, her voice shaking and body curling up into a ball. "... and I'm not allowed to do those other things. I'm not supposed to leave my room unless he says so."
"Kai left me in charge of you, Eri." She tucked hair out of her face. He wants you to be more comfortable here. He doesn't know how to raise kids, doesn't know what they want or need. It's my job to make you happy. So if I say we should go out." She picks up the bag and pulls out a long sleeve sundress and hat as well as a pair of boots and tights. "Then we're going out. If anyone has a problem with it, then they'll have to deal with me."
"No…" Eri grabbed her arm shaking her head. "No you can't disobey him, he'll get mad!"
"Trust me Eri…" She stood her up and held the dress against her. "It'll be fine. Now come on, let's get you dressed. I can't wait for you to meet Kota."
A few minutes later Izumi had Eri all dressed up, the girl played with the hat and looked around nervously as the two of them walked through the underground and up to the main floor. As they breached the secret entrance and stepped out into the house Kai came down the hall and stopped.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Good morning to you, Kai." Izumi took Eri's hand, gripping it firmly so she wouldn't run. "Eri and I were just about to find Kota. I thought the three of us could go get some ice cream and get acquainted."
"She can't leave…" Kai pointed accusingly at Eri and made her cower behind Izumi. "If she wants ice cream then you go out and bring it back to her."
"It'll melt," Izumi narrowed her eyes at Chisaki. "Besides she needs to get out and about Kai. You can't keep her locked up here. If she doesn't get interaction with people she'll never be able to go to school and learn how to control her quirk properly."
"That's not your decision to make-" Chisaki started to argue but Izumi lifted her chin.
"Isn't it? You want me to act as her mother, and I am. I'm taking her out, we're going to get ice cream, and have some fun. She needs fun and freedom, Kai… and you need to mind your temper or she'll forever be afraid of you and of this place."
Frustrated and conflicted on how to handle the situation Kai looked at Eri then at Izumi.
"Did you forget that you're a wanted criminal? What if you're recognized while you're out? What if you get picked up by the police? What then?"
"I thought that's why you gave me a new identity." She spoke in clear english and held herself upright and polite. "I can act the part, Kai… and I need you to trust me to do what it is you've asked me to do. I will take care of Eri, I will make her happy."
Kai grunted again and he paced away and then back to her flexing his hands out, debating on what to do. Karma could block against his quirk, and could very well protect herself and Eri against any assault. On top of that, his plan was working. Her influence had already raised morale and production within his clan and they'd even gained a following from other Yakuza by word of mouth. He HAD to keep her alive.
"Fine… she can go… but I'm warning you!" He held up a finger at Izumi. "You're responsible for her. If she runs away, gets kidnapped, or anything in between don't expect me to be understanding when you return. Go in guise… you may have a plain face and have changed some but you're still recognizable. Also you're on curfew, she's to be back by nightfall. Understand?"
"It sounds like we've reached a compromise." She reached up patting the side of Chisaki's face. "I promise I'll watch over her."
"Watch over yourself while your at it." He snagged her wrist quickly prying it away from him and shuddering off her touch. It didn't bother him as much anymore… but he couldn't let the others see how this girl was affecting him. "Get going… the sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back."
"Yes, daddy." she picked up Eri and walked past him. Eri peeked over Izumi's shoulder, stunned that he let her go. When they walked away however, she saw the look in his eyes and she clung on tighter to Izumi. Any thoughts of running away immediately dissipated.
~Elsewhere~
"Weeks of searching and we come up with nothing!?" Tomura smashed a beer bottle against the wall and glared down his subordinates.
"We've received intel from every spectrum: Police, Villains, Heroes, but all of them are oblivious to Karma's location." Kurogiri calmly stated despite Tomura's antics. "She and Dabi are both wanted criminals, but there haven't been any sightings or reports."
"I infiltrated the hero license exam just as you asked to see if any of Queeny's friends knew, but they're as oblivious as the rest of them." Toga pouted. "I did get some nice blood samples though."
"Fuck your blood samples, I want Karma!" Tomura sneered. "Someone has to know. Either the police are holding her and they won't share the information or another villain group has taken her hostage in order to cash in on our success. I don't care how but FIND HER!"
"May I offer some assistance in that area, My King?" Ace spoke up calmly joining the group. Tomura was up on his feet instantly.
"Ace, where the hell have you…" Tomura paused when he finally grasped what he had just said. "What have you found?"
"This…" he slid his phone across the table at him and Tomura picked it up with three fingers. "One of my contacts sent this to me ten minutes ago. He said he wasn't sure if it was actually her, but the woman in question could be a dead ringer for our missing Queen."
"Dead ringer?" Tomura tapped the play button. His eyes widened when it showed Izumi walking down the street with Kota and Eri in tow. All of them wearing hoodies and casual wear to help them blend into the crowd. As the video continued Izumi tugged down her face mask for a second to flash a smile to Eri who stare up wide eyed and awed.
Toga peeked over Tomura's shoulder and gasped.
"It does look like her; only she has green hair, and her eyes are different. She looks taller too, and where are all her pretty scars?"
"Perhaps her new allies have some kind of appearance altering quirk?" Compress suggested.
"Where was this taken?" Tomura demanded tossing the phone back at Ace who caught it on the fly.
"It's in shopping district near the heart of Yakuza territories." Ace explained. "It seems Karma may have taken shelter with one of them but there's tons of clans to choose from. It'll be hard to pin her down without-,
"Kurogiri…" Tomura held up a hand, all the information finally sobering him up. "Let's go."
"Go?" Ace questioned as Tomura and the others collected their gear.
"We're going to this shopping district and locate this woman. If it is Karma, I'm dragging her back come hell or high water."
"Are you sure you wanna do that?" Ace swallowed hard. Working as a double agent was proving difficult. Karma told him to give snippets of information to appease Tomura's interest and keep him from getting suspicious, but this wasn't the response he'd been hoping for. "It's a busy area Tomura. There's tons of heros and people who will recognize you."
"Ace has a point, boss." Twice jerked a thumb at himself. "I know the area pretty well, I'll go take a browse. People don't recognize my face as much."
"Toga and I will go as well." Compress agreed. "We're not on the radar and all of us have methods of escape if need be. Let us be your eyes on the scene."
"Fine. You've a point." Tomura irritably tapped his fingers on the table in front of him. "Find her, figure out if it's really Karma… and if she is bring her home."
"Okay, and what about the kids she's with?" Compress asked as they gathered together near the warp.
"They're dispensable." Kurogiri opened his warm, the rushing wind blowing his hair into his crazed eyes. "If they get in the way, kill them."
~Back in the shopping District~
A few minutes after giving his information Ace returned home and called Karma's burn phone.
"I blew it, my queen. I only meant to show him your picture not to bring a search party to your front door." He apologized wiping sweat from his brow.
"Its fine, Ace. Actually I've been kinda hoping I'd run into them somewhere along the line. This gives me an opportunity to give them all a piece of my mind." Karma retorted with a feral look in her eye.
"Are you sure that's wise considering your present company?" Ace mentioned.
"Tch," she glanced down at the two kids sitting on the bench busily eating ice cream. "You've a point. I don't want them involved in such a display… especially since choice words will be used."
"It's best if you just stay on alert. They're aware that someone matching your description is in that area, but they're unsure whether it's you. If you mingle with the crowd and do you best to avoid standing out you should be able to avoid them completely."
"Mmmm very well, that's actually a good plan. Contact Dabi and have him inform Overhaul that Tomura's gotten wind of where we're at. Knowing him he'll either come out personally or send back up. It'll give me some extra protection in case we're spotted."
"I shall do that. Take care, My Queen."
"Mmmm you too." She hung up and picked up her own cup of ice cream to spoon up what little she had left.
"You've been stupidly quiet this entire time." Kota grunted at Eri. She turned her head in his direction and flinched when he got in close. "The only words that have come out of your mouth today are hi and thank you. What's your deal?"
"Kota be nice…" Izumi scolded Kota's aggressive approach. The two of them had potential to be friends, but neither of them had interacted with other kids much before. Kota was raised in the woods with his heroic family, and Eri had been sheltered by her Yakuza family. Similar situations, but different outcomes. "She's just shy and nervous, and your tone isn't helping."
"My tone? What the hell are you talking about?" Kota turned his eyes to Eri who averted his gaze by concentrating on her ice cream. She liked the sweet and smooth flavor Izumi had chosen for her and wanted to savor it.
"I want you to be nice." She reiterated. "She doesn't have any friends or kids her age to play with back home because of the living situation. So I'm counting on you to help me protect her and be her friend, okay?" She ruffled his hair from under the bandana.
"I guess I can do that…" He grumbled some, closing his eyes and enjoying the motherly pet. He finished his ice cream and scowled a bit when Eri nipped and licked slowly at her cone. "Come on, it'll just melt if you eat it like that. Try using a spoon." He picked up the plastic spoon from his bowl, wiped it off with a napkin. He then dug it into the ice cream before shoving it in her mouth. Eri jerked back at first, ice cream getting on her face but she opened her mouth and clamped it down on the spoon blinking in confusion.
"That's not exactly what I had in mind, but I guess that works." Izumi laughed a little at the antics and tossed her own trash away. She eyed some of the kids playing on a playground across the street. The park near the shopping district was crowded with people all enjoying the pretty day. She wished she could let Eri wander and enjoy it too but thought it too soon to risk getting her involved with outside kids.
Until she knew what Eri's quirk was and how to help her control it, they'd have to take baby steps. This little outing was to give her a sense of freedom, and get away from the tense and scary atmosphere of home.
When Eri finally finished her ice cream she let both her and Kota walk in front of her away from the park and back towards the shopping district. There they poked into shop windows, took some vendor samples, and just enjoyed the busy and happy atmosphere.
Despite all the positivity, Eri remained nervous and hadn't smile once. It was a bit disheartening to Izumi that she couldn't get the girl to smile, but hoped that with time things would change. She checked the time on her cell phone and slipped her mask back into place.
"It's getting late, we should head back home." Izumi spoke up and Eri's nervous expression turned distressed instantly. She knelt down gently wiping away some of the chocolate that had lingered.
"I know you don't want to go home, Eri. I don't either, but I promise you we will do this more often. Things are gonna get better at home. Just you wait."
Eri blinked back tears and she stepped into Izumi's arms clenching onto her.
"I don't want to be alone again. Promise me you won't go."
"Oh Eri…" she hugged the girl tight to her. Tears and affection filled her eyes as she embraced the trembling little girl. "I promise. I'll stay with you as long as you need me to."
The sound of glass breaking put her on alert. She snagged Eri up and yanked Kota behind her looking ready to take on whatever came at them. Expecting Tomura she freed hand to set loose her quirk.
"STOP! Damn thief. HEROES HEY HEROES OVER HERE!" a shop keep cried out from a few blocks down.
"Hahahaha! I've done it! I've really done it! Just try and stop me!"
"Oh good grief…" Izumi relaxed and set Eri back on her feet. She looked on annoyed as a big villain ran past with a store counter, and attached register. He ignored the people and made a break for a silver truck across the street. "A strength quirk like that and this is what he chooses to do with it? How juvenile."
"Hey Izumi, a hero just showed up." Kota tugged on her sleeve when the pirate-esque hero suddenly jumped into the fray ready to take down the villain. "We should get out of here. You promised Overhaul you'd avoid heroes."
"Good idea, let's head-" she started to point down the alley but the hero in question let out a cry of pain as hes knocked from behind by a metal pole. The large villain was accompanied by three smaller ones, all of them laughing idiotically at the hero's expense.
"Not your business, Izumi…" she muttered to herself, turning her back to the scene. "Just walk away...don't get involved!"
Her eyes caught sight of the other people around her. They all were either watching the spectacle, capturing the moment on camera, or ignoring the situation altogether. Something made her her chest twinge… was that regret?
"Too bad for you hero...but you were outnumbered this time. We're Team Reservoir Dogs, and you better remember us!"
Something about that sentence paired with the actions of the people around her flipped Karma's switch. This was the problem in hero society. They brag and bark about bring the protectors of justice when thr majority of them couldn't even handle a petty thieves on their own. Fire flickered through her hair and she whirled around to the group.
"Remember you? For what? Stealing a cash register? For knocking out a D-class hero who is still wet behind the ears? Please! All of you are pathetic!" All heads looked to her as she turned to boldly stand against the gang of villains. "You've numbers and powerful quirks and yet you choose to rob a convenience store instead of doing something worthwhile. I've seen people with trash quirks that amount to more than you fools." She spat at them unable to hold in her true feelings.
Kota, seeing where this was going, pulled Eri into the alleyway to keep her out of sight.
"Izumi…" he whispered harshly. "...what happened to not getting involved?"
"Just stay back and out of sight," she whispered back, her hands clenched.
"Feh, stupid girl doesn't know greatness when she sees it. Come on you guys lets get outta here before more loser heroes show up." The driver, known as Blue, revs the engine as the other members climbed in. Karma grit her teeth and she held out her hand, the truck lifted up off the ground just enough to have the zipping tires whirl around and around without gaining tred.
"Leaving so soon? I thought you were the big bad Reservoir Dogs? You took down a hero so easily, so why not taking on someone half his size and make yourselves feel all manly?"
"Stupid bitch! Oi, yellow, shut that girl up!" Blue shouted still trying to rev the engine and make an escape.
"With pleasure!" The large villain who had taken the counter jumped off the truck and raced at Izumi. People near her saw them and began to scatter and scream in fear. The knocked out hero stirred from the noise and he lifted his head just as Yellow lifted his fist ready to pummel her.
"No don't!" He shouted, holding his gun fist up hesitating to fire his weapon in the direction of civilians. Karma in the meantime only laughed.
"Too easy..." Karma dropped the truck and her quirk wrapped around the pole laying at the hero's feet. She covered it in her energy and ducked to avoid the fist then brought the pole up smartly swinging into Yellow's gut. The tank-like villain fell to his knees wheezing and then crumbled to his side. The remaining villains in the truck were speeding off using their companions fall as a distraction to get away.
"Oh no you don't." Karma flung the pole at the retreating vehicle. It zoomed through the air and caught the back tire making it explode and the car to swerve and roll over in the street. Izumi could hear the sirens of police coming and it snapped her out of combat mode. "Damn… I guess I got carried away."
"That was amazing!" The Shopkeep rushed over taking her hands and shaking them. "You really showed those guys who's boss. I'm a total fan of yours now! What's your hero name?"
"Sorry…" she pulled her hands out of his grip and motioned the kids over to her. She picked up a trembling Eri and ruffled Kota's hair. "I'm not a hero. Just a concerned citizen."
"A normal citizen?" The hero stepped up rubbing his injured head. "That was reckless! What if you'd gotten hurt or killed taking on villains like that?"
"Oh I'm sorry, would that have added to your already guilty conscience?" She narrowed her gaze to the hero. "You stepped into the situation completely blinded.. Any idiot could see that fool wasn't working alone. It's not my fault you're stupid."
"Ah, that's my folly, but it's not your place to pick up after my mistakes."
"You're right… it's not. I did it anyway, and I came out with a far better result." She turned on her heel walking away from the crime scene. "Just goes to show you how useless most heroes really are."
~Down the Street~
"It really is her!" Twice said giddily as he danced in place having watched the entire spectacle. The police blockade prevented his group from venturing any further on the street, but the fact that they'd found Izumi and in prime condition really spoke volumes to the group's esteem. "This is amazing! THIS IS HOPELESS!" He posed as his counterpart interjected.
"Wahhh Queeny hasn't lost her touch." Toga jumped up and down just as excited. "I can't wait to tell Tomura-kun. He's gonna be so happy!"
"We should do our best to follow without being spotted… let's take our pursuit up to the rooftops." Compress suggested and scurried down an alleyway and climbed up a fire escape. The three of them leapt across the rooftops, doing their best not to get spotted by police or wandering heroes.
They found Izumi again… only this time she wasn't alone.
"What the hell did you think you were doing?" Overhaul snapped at her.
"I'm sorry I just got mad. Everyone was just standing around expecting heroes to help, and these losers were just eating it up. I hated it, they make people like me look bad and I refuse to be associated with it."
"On the brightside," Kota spoke up trying to help. "It doesn't look like anyone recognized her."
"In the heat of the moment it doesn't matter. What if someone took video of that and they put it together?" He scolded and had Kota cowering behind Izumi along with Eri. Izumi remained composed against Overhaul's anger and the two stood toe to toe glaring each other down. "You're implicating yourself and Eri in your personal vendetta and I can't afford to lose either of you. Playtime is over. Get back to the house, and until you can regain my trust I'm putting a guard on you at all times."
"Somewhere in that long lecture I think you're actually starting to show care." Her lips quirk when his face became more flushed than irritated. "I'll concede, considering you do have a point. I'm sorry for worrying you and causing a fuss, Kai."
"Just go… I've had enough of your trouble making spirit today." He shoved her in the direction of the house, glaring at the kids who scramble behind her. He snapped his head up to the roof having felt eyes on them.
Twice and the others quickly ducked to avoid being seen, but Twice held up a phone with a close up shot of Karma and Overhaul gracing the screen. With a few pushed buttons he sent the image directly to Tomura, and completed their mission.
~Ask Briry~
Briry: I'm hoping to have at least one more update released before Christmas hits because I'll be swamped up til New Years. If not I'll at least attempt to write a little everyday for all my chapters including the ones for Kingdom Hearts. Happy Holidays everyone!
Next Chapter: Tomura & Team Might