Author's Note: Hope you liked the happy family stuff last chapter. Thank you for being such loyal readers and the review and feedback! I might be cross-posting this on another fanfiction site. Plus I've started going through the chapters to edit some of the spelling and grammar so please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own MHA nor am I making any money off this story. I write the things I enjoy reading. Story is rated for mentions and content of material that could be triggering. Mentions of rape, abuse, assault, drugs and torture for some. If you don't like or might have issues with that then don't read.

Chapter 22 - Into the New Year

The rest of Christmas was spent watching movies, playing board games and going to lunch withJinn, his father and grandmother, which also led to Keigo asking to play at Jin's for the day. Soji was introduced to Jin's father and the two boys played with new action figures while the adults talked. Azumi gave Jin his Christmas present, a blue sports watch that told time, temperature, wind direction and had a compass built in. Keigo had a matching red one from her and Soji had helped Keigo pick out his own gift for Jin, which Jin reverently held with wide eyes. It was a book and kit for designing and making your own utility belt. Something Jin had been wanting to do for a while now, but couldn't find a store that had the kit for him to buy. Learning about Azumi's engagement and the fact that Keigo's future Dad helped to get it made Soji alright in Jin's book.

The two boys enjoyed each other's company as the adults spoke about Azumi's upcoming surgery, Shin's probation and parole coming to an end soon, and finally the engagement from that morning. Sion insisted on inspecting the ring as she asked about a date given the surgery coming up. Azumi looked at Soji and bit her lip. "Actually, I was considering a civil ceremony before the end of the year, and a full ceremony after I've recovered." Soji blinked at her, not shocked but definitely not expecting that. Shin was eyeing the two boys as he spoke. "It's because of Keigo, isn't it?" She nodded, taking Soji's hand. "If we are legally married and something happens to me during or after the surgery, Soji can take care of Keigo." Sion nodded her agreement as she pointed at Soji. "You're alright with that? I'll be the blunt one. she could die under the knife and you'd be responsible for that little feather brain until he's 18 years old."

Soji looked at Azumi and kissed the back of her hand that was holding his own. "That's fine, I asked Keigo before proposing anyway. If there had been any issue from him or myself I wouldn't have done it. Would one of you be willing to come and be one of the witnesses? I can ask my sister to be the other as my brothers should be as hands off as possible since they're going to take over as Keigo's attorney." Jin and Keigo ran up to them as they both bounced on their feet, Keigo's wings fluttering behind him as feathers cake loose and floated around. "You're getting married soon? And you'll be my dad?" Keigi asked with excitement in his eyes. Sion stood and playfully swatted at Jin who ducked away laughing as she followed after him, both his arms in the air as he ran away from his grandmother. "How many times do I have to tell you not to eavesdrop with those ears of yours!"

Which is how Keigo and Jin found themselves being dropped off at the indoor field with Gran Torino for the day. Azumi and Soji were going to meet Rubi and Sion at the magistrate office while the boys enjoyed their time with the hero on Keigo's birthday.

/

Azumi hugged Keigo and Jin as they were dropped off from Soji's car. The same security guard from last year was at the door, only this time he didn't ask about a team name before letting them into the building and onto the field. Keigo's feathers were puffed and excited as he saw Gran Torino on the field waving to them. The field was not painted for a game, but was instead covered in track and training equipment like a giant obstacle course. When the boys got down to him, Gran Torino smiled and offered them both a hand to high five.

"I was surprised you wanted to spend another birthday here, and that you wanted to spend it training to improve your flight and flexibility." Keigo grinned and stretched a bit. "I've been doing hero classes with the Commission and I've been having some trouble with some of what they were asking me to do." The retired hero tilted his head as Jin spoke up. "I jutht want to learn everything I can until I go to U.A. My dad thayth the more you know before you go the better." Gran Torino rubbed his chin and motioned to an open area. "Why don't you show me what they say you need to work on, kid." Keigo went into the air as Jin sat cross legged to wait and see what was going on.

When he got into the air and began to move as if he were doing combat maneuvers. He was blocking, punching and roundhouse kicking, but his movements seemed forced and his turning and flight were suffering because of the mid air fighting he was forced to do. Gran Torino blinked at how lethal the kid looked at seven years old. It shocked him, but he could see the problem in the way Keigo was trying to force his wings to turn while doing a kick. "Come down here kid!" The retired hero called up as he set his cane aside. Keigo landed, biting his lower lip, but he looked eager for whatever advice he was about to get.

Gran Torino grabbed Keigo's left wing and pulled it open to spread the feathers out. Keigo squawked in a little pain as the wing jerked to try and get away. His feathers all fluttered but remained connected. "What does that feel like, newbie?" Keigo pursed his lips and shot Jin a look before glaring behind him. "Like you're pulling my arm out." The older man grunted and held it firm but careful not to hurt or bruise Keigo's wing. "Exactly. When you move your arm, do you mentally tell it 'Arm, move this way'?" Keigo shook his head no as his wing was released. "You need to treat your wings the same way. Like having an extra set of arms that had thousands of fingers that do your bidding with a mere thought. That's how you use your feathers, right?" .

Keigo moved his wings around himself so he could see them, thinking about that and how to apply it. "You're a good teacher, Gran Torino. Now I'll have to try that." The retired hero grinned and suddenly shot up into the air. Jin jumped up as they both looked around for where he was and Keigo's feathers could sense fast movement coming in from behind. He barely had time to jump into the air as Gran Torino's knee went into the turf leaving an indent. His eyes widened as he shot off the opposite direction Jin was flying, only to see the older man appear in front of Jin and grab him by the front of his shirt. Using his feet as propulsion, he swung around and a mass of Jin flailing his arms to stop his movement came crashing into Keigo. He spread his wings out wide like open sails to stop their momentum, and then felt movement behind them both.

Keigo threw his wings straight up to quickly drop them both down and saw a yellow gloved hand reach where he used to be. "Good, see how smooth that was?" Keigo let go of Jin so his friend could fly on his own and just barely brought his right wing around like an arm to block a kick from the older hero. Gran Torino was honed in on Keigo and ignored Jin as the boy landed on the ground and watched Keigo blocking and dodging every one of the attacks. Looking around for a way to help his friend. He saw a bag full of balls for playing Pro Ball, and quickly opened the top to start launching them up at Gran Torino. The retired hero saw them coming and started kicking or catching and throwing them at Keigo. The blonde dodged and zipped back and forth as feathers dislodged from his wings with every ball that sailed by.

Jin saw that Keigo's wings were getting smaller with each ball that sailed by and ran underneath where his friend was struggling to stay airborne. Keigo saw Jin under him and let himself drop, landing on Jin in a heap of feathers laughing. Gran Torino stared at them both as he grinned at both boys out of breath and laughing. "Giving up?" Keigo shook his head and pointed. "Get-getting out of-of the way." Looking forward, the hero saw every one of the sports balls he had thrown at Keigo were being held in the air by all of his missing feathers. They suddenly came flying at the retired hero, giving him no space to dodge as he was hit repeatedly every time he thought he was far enough away.

By the time he landed on the ground, Keigo was laying on his back, wings spread out underneath him and Jin was doubled over laughing. The balls were all over the field having landed in random places and Gran Torino rubbed his chin as he watched the two boys giggling out of breath. "Very clever. I didn't even hear you two planning that." Keigo sat up. Still out of breath and shook his head. "We didn't talk about it. I just followed Jin's play." Jin nodded and looked super proud of himself. "I'm going to be Keigo'th thidekick when he becometh a famouth hero. Tho I need to be able to thupport him." The retired hero smiled and went to get cold drinks for the exhausted boys, laughing when they asked if they could practise some more.

They played around on the obstacle course and practised in the air for a full three hours, with Azumi and Soji walking in and having a seat part way through the second hour. Keigo grinned seeing thin white gold bands on their ring fingers and was proud to show off how much better he had gotten at moving and fighting in the air. By the time they were all done, both boys were exhausted and helped collect all the sports balls that were on the field. Gran Torino gave his congratulations to the newly married couple. Even if it was a civil ceremony, and gave both boys some last pieces of advice based on Keigo wanting to be a hero and Jin his sidekick. A bow in thanks and then Azumi held Jin's hand while Keigo held Soji's talking about when they first started the practise. In the back of the car was a large pink bakery box that Azumi told Keigo he couldn't peak at until they got home.

Once back at the apartment, Keigo's dream cake of multiple chocolate layers with frosting was brought out of the box with a series of seven candles on it. He grinned happily as Azumi, Soji and Jin all sang happy birthday to him and let him blow out the candles on his cake. He didn't tell them his birthday wish, but Keigo felt like he'd already gotten what he always wanted for his birthday as he smiled looking at Soji as he put his arm around Azumi.

/

Keigo had returned to schooling with the Commission, informing Guen of his happy holiday and birthday and how he had a dad now. Guen seemed genuinely happy about the changes in Keigo's life. Agent Bend did not. Her smile wouldn't reach her eyes and she seemed a bit short and disinterested in Keigo's progress during his first week back of school and physical training. She didn't even praise him when Instructor Ken informed him that his aerial maneuvers and combat were much better that week than before he had the week off. When they were in the lobby waiting for Guen, Keigo hesitantly brought it up.

"Miss Bend? Are you mad at me?" He watched her with worry on his face as she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm disappointed in the lost opportunity to properly train you, Keigo. The lost opportunity to give you true hero training, that's all." Keigo frowned and looked down trying to understand that. "But I've been doing the hero training before going home." She shook her head, feigning concern. "It's a rushed version that has you learning on your own because you go home every day. It's why we can't put you in a class with other kids. You don't stay here Monday through Friday like most of them do. You're missing out on things that could make you an exemplary hero."

She smiled a sad smile, leading him to the steps as she muttered. "I guess it's to be expected when the conditions are dictated by your mother and now your father. We'll do the best we can I suppose." She gave him a smile and bowed as Guen helped Keigo into the car. He bit his bottom lip and looked out the window remaining quiet. This was the night before Azumi's surgery, and she was going to have a special dinner with him and Soji, who had been moving his things into the apartment little by little. He was still scared about Azumi getting the surgery to begin with. And had spent every day that week cuddling up with her on the couch and talking about what they would do when she was fully recovered.

They had a special full hot pot meal before Soji went to do the dishes and Azumi gently took Keigo's hand, leading him to the sofa. He seemed curious, but let her lead them to sit down and crawled into her lap. Azumi put her arms around him and buried her face into his back as he trilled happily. "Mama?" She smiled, forehead on his back as she spoke softly. "I wanted to tell you thank you. You have been such a bright light in my life this past year Keigo. I love you so much and wanted you to know that." Keigo glanced back at her and gently put a hand on her head as she often did with him. "You got this Mama. You'll be just fine, and when you recover and are all better. You can watch me be the best hero." She smiled and gently rubbed her thumb along his temple and down his cheek.

"You'll be a good boy for Soji during and after my surgery, right?" He nodded as she hugged him again. "Good. I signed paperwork so he would have equal custody if something happened to me. You two seemed to get along great and I know he will take good care of you." Keigo kissed her cheek, a bright smile on his face so big he closed his eyes. "You'll be just fine Mama. I believe that. And if something happens I will come see you all the time ok?" She smiled and looked him in the eyes, a hand resting on his head as the other hugged him. "I'm so happy you are my son now. So happy." Soji stepped from the kitchen and leaned on the doorway watching them both with a soft smile on his face.

Azumi's last night before the surgery was full of love, affection and family.

/

Azumi was sitting up in the hospital bed. She had checked in that morning with Soji since Keigo was at school. Her surgery was planned to start at 9am and she would be done by that afternoon. Sion agreed to meet up with Keigo and let him spend the night at her place. Offering to see him to and from his pick up the following day. Soji would stay at the hospital during the surgery and after until she woke up. In the event she didn't wake up when the anesthesia wore off, he would stay two nights before going back to the apartment to get Keigo for the weekend and return.

Currently, a nurse was helping her cut her hair because they would need to shave it, and Azumi wanted it cut short first so she could see herself with short blue hair. Her copper locket was wrapped around her left wrist so she had both her new wedding band and Keigo's feather with her. Taking deep breaths, she looked at Soji as he smirked at the boy short hair. "It looks adorable on you. You should keep it that length after the surgery." He sounded like he was joking, but she could see the worry in his face. "It will be alright Soji. I'll see you when I wake up."

He smiled and kissed her cheek as the nurse lifted the side rails to take her to operation prep. "I'll be ready to order you ice cream and chicken strips when you wake up." She held his hand as he walked with the bed, the nurse laying her down and beginning to push the bed along. "One of many reasons I love you. Always willing to order me my favorite foods." She blinked back tears as she gripped his hand. He kept a hold of it, helping the nurse with corners and the elevator doors. "You know you may have to fight Keigo for them if he's here." She laughed and the nurse halted outside the operating room. "This is as far as we can let you go sir." Soji leaned down and kissed Azumi deeply on the lips before whispering.

"I'll be waiting for you, wife." She smiled and wrapped her arms around him kissing him back. "See you soon, husband." The nurse pushed her through the double doors and Soji disappeared from her view, leaving Azumi alone. She looked up and gripped the locket in her hand as the nurse spoke quietly to let her know what they were doing to prepare her for surgery. She had an IV put in her left arm, a secondary gown placed over hers and a blanket, followed by a sheet snd then a green tarp like sheet over that. A sensor on one of her fingers and two small tabs on her neck. Her head was shaved the rest of the way and she was wheeled into the operation room with only her face and head visible. She saw her doctor and a second surgeon already in gowns and masks and ready to go.

The anesthesiologist smiled and gently rested a mask on her face, making sure it fit and she was comfortable as her doctor put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Ready Azumi?" They had spoken to her not an hour ago in her room while she was waiting for the surgery. A single nod was all they needed, Azumi tried watching the ceiling as she heard the anesthesiologist speaking. "Count backwards from 100 for me." Azumi blinked and started counting out loud, her hands shaking as she gripped her locket in her left hand and fiddled with her wedding band.

"100, 99, 98, 97….96…..95….9-"