A woodpecker fiercely hammered its way into a fist tree just outside the boy's dorm window.
Slowly but surely Deku awoke. He blinked wearily. The sun was out, shining through his window, lingering perfectly on his eyelids. With a sneeze, he sat upright. He found out that when he'd fallen asleep, the boys had put him into his bed. They really were cool.
Deku felt something twitch under his arm. Geralt looked up at him, his tail wagging. He'd obviously just woken up as well. "Hey, bud. Good morning." Almost instantly he shot up. His eyes snapped open to see the small watch on Kirishima's bedstand. 7:40. "Morning?! I have class!"
"Chillax, dude. We do."
Deku looked over to see Kaminari stick his head out from around the corner. It was obvious that it led to a bathroom. The boy had toothpaste spilling everywhere. He spoke despite the toothbrush. "Master Harry…blsh…stopped by to tell you that you're all…eccushn… excused…blufnnf… from class until his meeting with you guys is complete…Splip… Geez, I'm jealous!" Deku shook his head and started to get out of bed. "No, no, I gotta-!" Kaminari sighed and shoved him back down. He took the toothbrush out of his mouth for a moment.
"Stay. You deserve it. What you and that wolf need is time. R and R, you know?"
Deku opened his mouth, and then shut it. This might be the time he could spend studying or exercising, exploring the grounds or writing to his mother. Perhaps it was best.
He needed to get his head around some things.
Kaminari flashed him a peace sign and returned to the bathroom. Within seconds he'd pulled on his cloak and raced out the dorm door, waving as he went. "We'll see you in a few hours! Sato's making lemon bars!"
Deku waved him off. With a sigh, he sat up and began to dress in new clothes.
All Might?
Mm?
What was Bakugo talking about during that battle? About how you ended his tribe?
A heavy sigh.
I expected you to ask me about this. I do believe it is time to give you the full story.
Deku yanked up the edge of his shirt, both eager and wary of the news to come.
I was born to a kind family. My father was a swordsman, a knight like myself. My mother was a mage, one of the best in the kingdom. Although we had humble beginnings, none could say we lacked integrity.
A chuckle.
Sadly, a great plague struck the land. My mother fell ill and passed around my fourth birthday. My father struggled with great grief, but he nevertheless cared for me to the best of his abilities.
At ten, he began to train me in the ways of the sword. Preparing me for the harshest things the world could offer. I caught on to the techniques quickly, and soon I was able to dispatch any dummy with ease.
I would learn later that dummies are in no way the same as a man armed to kill.
Our village was attacked when I was fifteen. A warlord bent on destruction, with the head of a beast. He slew my father and reduced my village to ash.
Deku gripped the sheets.
I was alone for a very long time. A scavenger scrabbling for a few crumbs off the tables of the rich. One day I was scarfing down an apple I'd stolen. A cloaked figure came up to me and offered me a loaf of bread. She then offered me a place to stay; who was I to refuse? I didn't realize it yet, but I had found one of my greatest friends in the world.
At her hideout, she revealed herself as Nana Shimura, the seventh holder of One For All. She held the blade that you now wield. In her time, the blade was a bright blue, the hilt such a cerulean hue…it was truly magnificent. It matched her eyes.
Deku snapped to attention.
The blade changes form based on the User?!
All Might laughed.
Indeed. In my day, it looked as it does now. However, the sword only changes once the User that holds it has the favor of the past Users.
…
It may be a while yet before it changes shape for you.
Deku sighed and laughed. "If course it's not that easy."
She took me under her wing, redefining my skills with the blade. After the harshest training I'd ever endured, she granted me my reward; the mantle of One For All, the most powerful blade of all time. The blade that can make its user legend, good or bad.
On the day my master Nana Shimura passed down One For All, I was still young and reckless. Despite my training, I had yet to grow in experience and humility, as well as consideration for others. I was quite the showboat. My master knew this and at the same time acknowledged that there was no time to wait. True villains and evildoers wait for no one.
Deku looked up at the draperies on his bedposts, lying back down. His vest shirt lay forgotten on the sheet.
However, her knowledge didn't stop me from flaunting my power. I showed off more than I saved. My master would tell me off each time, but I would pay her little heed. "I did the job," I would argue. She could only continue to guide me. What I didn't realize is that foul forces took great interest in the stories my words had created.
One day, my master's predictions came true. After months of training, we jour eyed back to my master's home town. Along the way I grew will and my master searched for a herbalist to treat me. We were granted residence in a Clan of Daemon people. Fine folk they were. Kind and brave. I knew the chief there, he reminded me very much of my father.
A pause.
His wife was the one who healed me. She was one of the kindest herbalists I'd ever seen. Their infant son…looked just like Bakugo. I can only assume it was he, as that little babe so long ago.
Deku shut his eyes. "…"
It was a fine few weeks we enjoyed, a break from my training.
But I would soon regret the lack of caution I had in my abilities.
All For One returned in full power, unbeknownst to any of us. He had huge armies at his disposal, creatures we didn't know could exist. Beasts and witches and plagues, all in his name of destruction. He attacked the clan who granted us sanctuary. The clansmen gathered and armed themselves, but the armies they sent out were decimated.
The Chief died fighting with his people. I received news that his wife had been slaughtered defending the mothers and their children. They all died.
The child they bore was missing and presumed dead.
Deku ran his hands through his curls. "Oh, no. They were Bakugo's parents, I assume?"
Yes.
And I shall live with the regret for the rest of my days. Had I watches myself, controlled my pride…perhaps all three would be alive today.
Deku froze. "All three?"
My master was the very last line of defense. I insisted on fighting with her, but she trapped me in an old inn cellar. The blade had been sealed within the scabbard, and until my master returned, it wouldn't open. I remember banging on that door like the world depended on it. She had sealed it with a near invulnerable magic.
I learned later. With bravery, she had fought All For One herself. The battle raged on for days, and my master had run herself to exhaustion. From the warlord's hands had sprung a fierce, dark power. And it killed her.
Deku bit his lip.
The door swung open, and I fell straight on my face. The seal to the sword had broken; it slid from the scabbard just like before. I broke down. I didn't want to see what had happened to her. I already knew. My master was dead.
I searched the village, it had been razed to the ground. Not a soul was left alive. The proof of my careless actions lay at my feet, all around.
Deku sighed.
I soon became despondent. I felt like I wasn't ready. So I traveled here to this distant land. To put all thoughts of her death behind me and still remember what she gave me. In her honor, I made it my quest to become the strongest and most powerful knight of all time. One who would save and protect. However, as I had learned, a true knight is not heralded by his ego. He is lead by his heart and what he can give.
That's what ran through my head when I first saw you. You were someone I was capable of assisting. And you have done spectacularly so far. Rest, my boy. Eat and nourish yourself; I'll be waiting in the cavern like always.
Deku nodded. "Of course."
A knock.
"Deku? Who are you talking to?"
The door swung open with a flourish.
"Deku! There you are! Gee, I've been looking everywhere-ohmygosh-!"
Deku's head turned so fast he had whiplash. "What?! Huh?!" Snatching his vest from the bed sheet, he hid his bare torso as quickly as he could. Ochako had squeaked and turned about like a top. "I mean…take your time…I'll leave you be!"
Deku spent the next fifteen minutes explaining that he wasn't being weird and talking to himself in his room with no shirt on at eight o' clock in the morning. Ochako nodded but he could tell she was a bit unnerved. They walked along throughout the gardens, enjoying the scent of soft flower petals and sweet nectar.
"So, what are your plans for your break?"
Deku smiled stupidly. Even in the shade her hair lit up, reflecting the sun that shone throughout the trees. It cast dappled patterns over her cloak and face, letting each individual feature get its time in the limelight.
She stared at him quizzically.
"Are you OK?"
Deku smiled again. "No."
"Ooookkay."
"Well, I'm off to the alchemy room. Ugh, but that means I'll have to organize the jars again. The students always leave them everywhere."
"Yup. That's….that's good. Really good."
Ochako raised an eyebrow.
Deku smiled again and then realized he wasn't really paying attention to what she said and now looked like even more of a weirdo.
Geralt stuck his tongue out in a lazy laugh, prompting Deku to jump on him. As the pair rolled about, dust flew everywhere. Ochako looked on, utterly perplexed.
"Midoriya?! What are you doing on the ground? This is not befitting of the title, "Knight Of The Guard!"
Geralt stopped gnawing on Deku's leg. Deku gave Geralt one more shove and sat up. "Iida?!" Iida stood above him angrily, Tensei at his side. Hilariously, the look on Tensei's face matched his master's. Pure and utter disappointment.
Comically, Iida was wearing his nightgown and sleeping cap. "I could hear your fighting from my dorm! Are you aware that some students start class later, and you are disturbing their sleep?!"
Iida turned to Geralt, waving a hand robotically. Geralt put his head on the ground, holding his ears flat against his head.
"And Geralt! Your fur is filthy! How many times have I told you! Your pups require your example! How will Tensei grow up to be responsible well-behaved when his father acts like a pup himself?!"
Deku sweatdropped as Iida continued to berate them.
"Relax, Iida. I'm sure they realize their wrongdoings." Todoroki strode from the gateway, his cloak flying in the wind. "Good morning, Uraraka, Deku." Ryuji trotted alongside him, outfitted with ice-blue battle armor. "Woah, Tensei. Your bro's looking sharp. You're doing battle training with the students? I thought Master Harry said for all of us to take a break." Todoroki shook his head, bangs waving. "I'm not teaching. I'm training Ryu."
Deku smiled. "Cool. So you're gonna basically make him a little attack tank?" Todoroki laughed. "Yup. He's gonna be just as cool as his dad. I'd better get going. I want to read and write a letter before the sun goes down, and I have other duties to attend to, despite the break."
Deku grinned. "A letter? To Black Beauty back at the village?"
Todoroki surprisingly didn't react with his usual jab or disapproval. His face became soft, and he smiled instead. "Yes." Deku was shocked. "Dude. What's up with the sudden maturity?" Todoroki grinned. "Yours seems a bit down, if you catch my drift."
Deku groaned. "Well, at least his jokes are the same. Bland."
Todoroki smiled again, ignoring Deku's usual snark. "I must be on my way. I'll see you later."
And with that he was off.
Deku had the oddest smile on his face. "He said he wanted to write a letter too, right?" Iida nodded. "I believe so. Why?" In seconds he was waving his hands wildly. "No, Deku! Absolutely not." Ochako's interest piqued. "What is he talking about?"
Deku grinned. "Let's go check the letters out!"
Iida sighed. "Alas, you see, Uraraka? It's utterly improper. Now let's-!"
"I'm down!"
Iida stuttered out nonsense. "What?!" Ochako grinned. "I wanna see what he's got!" Deku grinned even wider. "Then it's settled. We're going on a stealth mission today." And with that they walked towards the dorm buildings, whistling nonchalantly. Geralt trotted behind them, head held high. "Now just a minute!" Iida stomped after them. "This is an invasion of privacy! We can't just go into Todoroki's private quarters!" Deku raised an eyebrow. "You go into the dorms of other people to wake them up." Iida stopped walking. The clever words Deku had used were making him doubt himself. "Well…oh dear…that is true. I have no right to talk down to you at all!" He bowed extravagantly. "I am sorry!" Ochako winced. "Jeez! Shush! About this, come with us and that can be your way of apologizing." Iida looked up, hope shining in his eyes. "I shall! Oh, this will be the day I regain my glory!"
Iida was none the wiser.
Ochako and Deku winked at one another as he strode forward purposefully.
Their escape method was set.
Iida looked around in silence. Ochako and Deku stared in shock. Geralt's eyes were wide like saucers.
The room was completely…out of place.
The floorboards were made of cherry oak. The walls were obviously covered in something to give them a bit of color, perhaps a paste made of crushed bark and water. Whatever the case, it was very traditional and fundamental in terms of look and style. There was an old wooden bed in the corner, and a closet. The desk was worn, but it looked sturdy enough. The only light was a lone torch that crackled on the wall, and the light that spilled through the window.
"The guy is bland in taste, too."
Ochako tiptoed into the threshold. "It should be fine. It's weird, sure, but just think of how many secrets he's hiding behind that demeanor!" Deku lifted a pile of books. "Seems like the only relationship he's really going for is with these things." Ochako swatted him with her staff playfully. "Ye of little faith," she drawled, quoting Todoroki, "trust in your ally." Deku laughed and bowed. "But of course, my lady."
However, after about thirty minutes of fruitless searching, even Ochako was weary.
Iida sighed and looked away from the array of drawn photos on the wall. "We're off task here. We saw what we could; now let's go." Deku sighed. "Yeah, yeah. I've turned this desk inside out and-!"
A glint of ruby caught his eye.
He stiffened and poked at the impressive letter opener. It was regal and of high quality, and shaped like an dragon. As he pressed its snout, the eyes blinked twice, and with a odd shuttering sound the desk slowly shuddered.
Deku and the rest of the party stared in amazement.
The middle of the desk opened up like a book, sending both sides of the desk crashing down in a glorious cloud of dust. In the center, surrounded by a feather quill and ink bottle, were a pile of letters.
"Aww, man! I want this desk!" Ochako mumbled.
Deku's eyes alight, he snatched the very first page. "Score!" Ochako huddled up behind him. There was a measurable silence as they began to read.
Within seconds they were hugging each other and bawling their eyes out.
Iida stared at them. He'd watched their actions with little less than utter confusion. "Are you two…alright?" Deku sobbed, and shoved the paper into his hands.
Iida begin to read solemnly.
I don't know what most things mean
Like life, laughter, or spring
But I do know some things
Like the way you give my life wings
My heart is yours
Now and forever
As the night wears on
Dark like the weather
I stare out into the rain
Full of pain
And wonder what I did
To have to play this game
I look at the world around me
And all I see
Is a world that's dark and gloomy
But when you're with me
The world's not as bleak
It's full of light, love, and laughter
The things that I seek
How I long to wrap my arms around you
And tell you what you mean to me
We may be miles apart, Momo
But soon we'll be together, like the wind and sea
Mingling together most beautifully
As the waves rush along the winds carry it
Farther across the reach
How is it that you, my love
My heart you did breach
My love is for you
And only you
Never forget me
For I shall return one day
And you shall be free
With me
Iida slowly lowered the paper. With a dramatic flick of his arm he wiped away a tear. "Surely…this is the greatest poem I've ever read." Deku sobbed even harder. "No…that's not why I'm crying." Deku slowly took the paper into his hands, as if it were a beautiful treasure.
Iida was interested in learning something new, and he took in Deku's observation with full faith. Which he soon would regret.
Deku pointed at the poem.
"You gave my life wings." Do you think that's a reference to that homemade energy drink that's made in the village?" He wiped his eyes. "He can't even make a good joke for this woman! Oh, the pain!"
Iida facepalmed. "Deku, I swear, I'm going to slap you."
A creaking sound echoed in the hall. Footsteps.
Everyone present froze like a statue.
Iida instantly jumped to action. With a burst of speed, he flung the piece of paper back into the secret compartment and slammed the desk shut.
"Run."
Deku leaped towards the closet, wrenching the door open. Ochako threw herself in after him, followed closely by Iida. With nothing left but a cloud of dust, the three squished themselves as far as they could against the back of the closet. Deku found himself pressed tightly between Ochako's shoulder and Iida's bulky armor. His arm was stuck in a…precarious situation. Ochako's red face spoke of her obvious awareness.
"Sorry." He mumbled in her direction.
"S' fine. There's no room." Her voice was strangely strained.
"Sorry, you two. I should have removed my armor before going with you." Iida murmured, clearly not grasping Deku's or her situation.
Deku shook his head.
"We'll be fine. We'll just have to go out when he's not looking. The wolf's even being sent away, look!"
"Alright!"
"Let's hope. I doubt it will be so easy."
"Ryuji, go out into the yard. I'm writing again."
Boots clomped over to the door.
A jangling of keys.
The door locked.
Keys hitting fabric told them that they had gone right into Todoroki's pocket.
Deku groaned piteously.
Iida promptly clocked him over the head.
Shoes clunked against the floor. Through the slits in the closet, the three stared in utter terror as Todoroki walked by inches in front of them. "Hmm. Guess I'll have to finish the letter tonight, send it by ice wren tomorrow."
He scratched his head and pressed the dragon snout. The sounds of hissing told the three the desk had opened, and that Todoroki was bound to start writing again.
Which meant getting out and escaping was a pipe dream at the moment. Great.
Iida sighed. "Why did I ever listen to you?!" He hissed. Deku raised an eyebrow. "You read the letter too. What right do you have to tell us off about it?" Iida facepalmed. "Damn it! How foolish of me!" Deku grinned. "You're so easy." It was Ochako's turn to whack them all over the head. "Shush!" She snapped.
Todoroki's chair creaked as he leaned back. From the tapping sound, Deku assumed he was tapping his chin with the quill. "A rose is a rose…is a rose?" More scratching. Deku wanted to bang his head against the wall. He'd have to sit here and listen to Todoroki's endless poem-making. Which was already making him cringe so hard he felt like he'd gone back to last week.
It had gone on for a couple of hours so far, and Deku's legs were starting to fall asleep.
"Hey! Look!"
Ochako's hushed whisper garnered their attention. She was digging in a box near her foot. "Check it!" She held a couple of letters towards them. "I think these are from Momo. Her seal back in the village was in the shape of a tiger. I remember from when I helped her to organize after Bakugo's siege." Indeed, the seal that was stamped upon the letters had been broken, but the head of the tiger was still decipherable.
"Dragon and Tiger. The only creatures strong enough to match each other. Just like the old stories say! Isn't that sweet? It's like they were meant to be together." Deku looked at the stamp. "Yeah. You're right."
He reached out to grasp it and then sighed. "We can't even read it. It's too dark."
Iida shook his head. "No more letters! It's already gotten us into a big enough mess as it is."
The creaking from outside made them all jump. Todoroki's boots walked easily across the floor. With a creak of the doorknob he disappeared into bathroom. "He's going in there."
Ochako stared out through the cracks. "Wait. I hear the bath faucets running. I think he's taking a soak."
Deku raised a fist. "Great! That means he'll probably have to leave his pants on the door! Someone can sneak in, grab them, and we can unlock the door and get out!" Iida nodded. "A good plan. But who?"
They looked at Ochako.
Ochako stared back. She froze. "Me?! Why?" Deku looked at her. "You're light. The floors will creak less." Ochako pouted.
"Y'all owe me."
With the most stealthiest of movements, Ochako slid out of the closet, crawling towards the water closet with a renewed vigor.
They watched through the slits as she entered the room.
And were shocked as she crawled back towards them, fast as a cheetah.
She slid back in, shaking.
"Didja get the keys?" Deku asked.
"I'm not going back in there." Ochako whispered.
Iida patted her head sympathetically as Deku looked like he'd seen a ghost.
The creaking from outside made them all jump. "Better get back to writing."
The scratching of his quill.
"Momo, your eyes are like black onyx, they swallow me whole…"
Deku shoved his head against the wall. "Right. I can't take this."
Iida shushed him.
"Silence! It's not that bad! How rude!"
"Your hands like honey, they caress my body and soul…"
"Right. I stand corrected." Iida facepalmed. "Oh, why didn't I stay in bed this morning? I was having a perfect dream about acing my finals…"
Ochako had her head in her hands, shaking it. "We've crossed the line!"
Both their heads turned as they heard a quiet crunching sound.
Deku was hammering away at the wall with a spoon. It had already made a sizeable dent. "Alright! I'm gonna get my arm through this and signal the person on the other side." He whispered.
Ochako's face was horrified. "No! The guards sleep there!" Deku pulled the spoon back. "What else are we gonna do?! Listen to Todoroki out there about him and Momo getting freaky?! No way!"
Ochako went red. "He's being poetic!"
Iida backed up suddenly, his back as far away from the wall Deku was digging at as possible. Deku and Ochako followed his gaze and instantly followed suit.
A large white spider was crawling out of the woodwork.
It was big and bulbous, with thick hairy legs and an thick abdomen.
Slowly, fortuitously, the thick white legs climbed down the wall. Soon it was on the ground, staring at the three.
The spider's mandibles rubbed together. The eight eyes freakish and bulbous, never moving but twitching erratically. Deku and Ochako had climbed on top of Iida's shoulders and were hunched around his neck like a fur coat.
Ochako clutched herself. She could cast a basic spell on her own, but the light and sound would give them away. They had no choice but to hope the horrifying thing would leave the way it came.
The spider moved a leg forwards.
"No, no, please no." Deku whimpered.
The spider paused and then scuttled forwards at an alarming rate. Ochako meeped and started to panic. Deku shook crazily and attempted to crawl on top of Iida's head. At least if it got to Ochako and Iida first he had about five seconds.
Iida took a deep breath and sprung into action.
Quickly, he snatched a letter and shoved the spider towards the slotted closet door at full speed. It hissed (making all of them jump) as it hit the closet door. Iida rubbed the letter against the door as fast as he could, until he head it slide through the slit with a unnerving skittering sound.
All three let out a sigh of relief.
"Hmm? What was - oh. A spider."
Deku's eyes flashed to the slots in the closet door. Todoroki's boots clumped over to where it stared up at him, mandibles still moving. Todoroki stared back.
And he reached down and picked it up.
Ochako dry-heaved and turned away, gagging.
Iida shook his head slowly. "Oh. Oh. Oh."
Deku hugged himself. "Hope he's not planning on touching any of us for the next few month's."
Todoroki's boots moved away towards the window, which was opened. "Go on, now." When the resulting draft reached the closet, Deku took a deep breath. Cold, and with the scent of twilight lilies. They only opened at night, which meant the sun must have gone down. The drafts continued. Todoroki must have left the window open.
"Wow. It's late. Better get to sleep."
They saw the shadow of his right hand wave at the torch and the light went out. The only sounds were the soft puffs of breaths the hideaways let out, as well as the soft breathing of the boy outside.
They waited patiently.
"His breathing's evened out." Deku mumbled. "We'd better go now."
Slowly, the door inched open. The three began to crawl in a line towards the door. Ochako signaled towards the nearby bathroom. Deku remembered their lack of a unlocked door with a muted groan. He signaled her to grab them.
Ochako nodded and turned towards the open bathroom.
Then she froze.
Deku stared at her back in confusion. What was she doing?! He tilted his head to see what she was looking at.
And nearly shrieked.
The spider was back. Hanging from a thick string of silk, it moved left and right, like a pendulum on a clock. Ochako shuddered and slapped a hand against her mouth.
The wind forced the spider forwards, and then it came right back the way it came.
The spider landed on her face.
She panicked, throwing her hands around. The spider panicked too, and with a mighty leap it flew at Deku. Deku promptly fell over. Spiders that could fly? Clutching his face, he stayed on his face until he was sure the spider had flown over him.
He looked up and sighed in relief. Only to see Ochako's face look like someone had been mutilated.
He looked right with a shuddering breath, following her gaze.
The spider was now on his bare shoulder.
He opened his mouth.
The spider bit down.
He slowly lay upon the ground, mouth open in a silent scream. Iida stared down at him in pity as the spider hopped off and scuttled into a nearby cup that had fallen behind the desk. Tears leaked from his eyes uncontrollably as he grabbed at the puckered swelling that arose. Iida shook his head and signaled that Ochako should continue her mission.
Ochako disappeared into the bathroom and promptly crawled back. Slowly, she crawled up to the door. Inserting the keys, she held onto the doorknob as the mechanism clicked. Slowly the door opened. Ochako grinned and slowly prepared her body to slide through the opening.
A fierce draft rolled through the window, shutting the door with a merciless bang.
Todoroki shot up, obviously ripped from sleep. "Gah! She was taking a memo!" Deku, Ochako, and Iida promptly flung the door open and proceeded to fight to be the first out. After a mess of scrabbling, punching, and clobbering, the door slammed shut.
Todoroki stared after them blindly, before smacking his lips and promptly lying back down. "Why was there a door in the middle of the ocean…?"
The three returned to their rooms for some much needed sleep, deciding to never visit Todoroki's room secretly ever again.
Lest there be more flying spiders in his closet.
