Hey guys! So is it just me or has FFN been going on and out? There's some times when I can't even get to the website, but anywho, here's the next update! The last regularly scheduled update will probably be posted on Saturday since I start school Monday, unless I go on another writing spree and knock out more chapters than I planned on doing. I'm going to try to update at least twice a week if I have the time, worst case scenario I'll only post once a week (Which I really don't want to do but hey it's life). Anyway, enough of my yapping, on with this completely random chapter that my writing juices felt needed to be added in

Midoriya Inko was worried. Ever since Izuku came home after the villain attack he had been distant and withdrawn, so unlike his normal self. Inko knew it was only normal after experiencing something traumatic, especially after having lived through a few situations like that herself, but never had she been attacked by a villain. Never had she almost been killed by one like her son nearly had. Sure his teachers had tried to sugarcoat it for her, but Inko knew her baby boy, and minor injuries wouldn't have led to him walking into the house with arms bandaged all the way up to his shoulders. It wouldn't have led to her baby having bandages wrapped around from the bottom of his abdomen all the way up to his chest, or a thick bandage wrapped underneath his curly hair. It possibly could have led to the little limp that he still had when he walked that was gone the next morning after he had sat in the tub for nearly an hour, but Inko knew better. Minor injuries wouldn't have caused the light in her son's eyes to dull the way they did, and they wouldn't have allowed him to lean into her embrace like he did when the doctors had mistakenly declared that he would never have a quirk. Izuku hadn't cried tears of sadness in front of her in so long, he was always crying over nonsensical things (something that he had gotten from her), but to see the tears streaming down his face as he woke up screaming at 3 in the morning, to feel his chest heaving and to hear his choked and stuttering sobs as she held him to her own chest, carding her fingers through his hair, it broke her heart.

"Mom! I'm heading to school!" He gave her a small smile, her heart shattering more as she noticed it wasn't the normal thousand-watt smile that he normally gave her. She gave him a soft smile of her own, moving over to him and running one hand through his unruly hair as she suddenly pulled him into a hug.

"I love you Izu. Let me know if your friends kidnap you again for food okay?" He gave her a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his head. She watched him slip on his signature red shoes, and then he was gone. As soon as the door swung shut beneath him, she sat down heavily on a dining room chair, putting her head in her hands. She was so tempted to pull him out of U.A and send him to a regular high school, one where he wouldn't be threatened by villains, one that wouldn't cause him to have nightmares-

But she didn't want to take away his dream, didn't want him to resent her. Inko had failed her son once. I'm so sorry Izuku! She wasn't going to do it again. Despite her misgivings about the school, she knew it was making her son happy. He had friends at U.A, friends that would drag him off with them to grab food after school before heading home, friends that escorted him home once he was released from the infirmary to make sure that he was fine. He was even hanging out with Katsuki again, something that had come to a complete stop when the boys were in middle school. A heavy sigh left her lips as she realized she would have to trust U.A to look after her precious son, and that she would have to trust him to get strong enough to protect himself. Oh, Izuku. She thought wistfully. If she looked hard enough she could see herself sitting on the ground, a blanket covering her head as she asked the hero to come to save her. She could see a tiny Izuku bursting into the living room with his All Might onesie on, a smile so wide it covered his entire face on his cheeks. She could see him growing up, gaining his quirk late, and then training so hard that he would sometimes come home and fall right asleep on the couch, leaving Inko to carry him into his room and tuck him into his blankets.

The image changed and shifted to Izuku as he was now, standing tall with a bright grin on his face, bookbag in his hand, red sneakers on his feet. The image waved at her and turned around, disappearing into a mist.

Izuku, my baby you're really cool. Please, be safe for me.

When Izuku got to class that morning, he almost immediately wished he could go home. The moment he had entered, everyone went silent beside his normal friend group (Mina, Kirishima, Kacchan, Kaminari, Uraraka, and Iida). Uraraka and Kirishima gave him a thumbs up, Mina a peace sign, and Kacchan ignored him like normal while Kaminari just waved. He had hurried to his seat and sat down, staring resolutely at the board as the rest of the class slowly started speaking again, wondering who was going to be their substitute for the day when the classroom door slid open and a mummy stepped in.

"Good morning." The class screamed as Aizawa-sensei stepped into the room, most of his body wrapped in bandages. The man let out a sigh as the class began speaking all at once, no one but Aizawa noticing the odd look that crossed Izuku's face as he looked at the underground hero, a heavy feeling settling in his gut.

"Sensei, you are back too soon! You should still be resting!" Iida had risen to his feet, making his choppy motions through the air as most of the class spoke up in agreement with him.

"Sit down Iida, and I'm fine. The old lady goes overboard with her treatment." Aizawa shuffled over to the board, picking up a piece of chalk with his non-bandaged right hand. Was that the hand that Izuku had healed? He couldn't remember, he couldn't fully remember what exactly he had done to protect his teacher, but all he knew was that he obviously didn't do enough if the man was still wrapped in bandages that way.

You can't fix everyone. Sena's voice flashed in his mind and he chewed on his lip, looking down at the desk as he did so, hands curling into fists. Even so, it didn't stop the hot flash of guilt that ran through him. A jolt to his desk had him looking up, Kacchan giving him a death glare as the boy turned back around to face the front of the room. A small smile crossed Izuku's face before disappearing as quickly as it came. Kacchan always knew when Izuku was in a mood, it was why the boy's previous torment of him was so effective. Kacchan always knew when and where to strike, which made Izuku seriously glad that they were kind of friends again.

"In 2 weeks we will be hosting U.A's sports festival-"

"Isn't it too soon?"

"What if the villains attack the festival-"

"Quiet." The single word was enough to cause a complete silence to descend over the classroom before their teacher began speaking once more. "I think it's illogical to host it, but the sport's festival isn't just about the hero course. It's a chance for students from the other courses to showcase what they've been working on and how they've improved as well. There won't be any villain attacks on the festival because nearly every pro-hero that ever was will be there, in addition to U.A's own security. I know some of you are still shaken by the events of last week. Just know that I promise as your homeroom teacher that we are doing our best to keep you all safe, and know that if you need to talk I'm here, and so is Hounddog, your school counselor." Izuku didn't hear anything that Aizawa-sensei had said after that, the man droning on for a few minutes longer before dismissing them.

Izuku stood next to Kacchan in front of the door, looking at the crowd that stood surrounding it. They had been preparing to leave class and head to lunch after the mummified version of Aizawa-sensei had dismissed them only to find their exit blocked. At the front of the crowd stood a purple-haired boy with bags under his eyes that Izuku didn't know, and directly behind him stood some members of class 1-B.

"So this is the legendary class 1-A. It doesn't look like much." The purple-haired boy drawled, his equally purple eyes roving over the classroom until they came to a stop at Izuku. "A class full of students who think they're worth something simply because they survived a villain attack. Students who couldn't even protect themselves. The sports festival is coming up and if students from other courses score high enough, we can transfer into the hero course. Which means that one of you will lose your spot, so don't get comfortable. This is a declaration of war." The anger that had been radiating off of Kacchan turned to murderous fury and had Izuku turned around he would have seen fire in the eyes of all his classmates. He had been the most seriously injured out of the entire class, and there was only one person that the purple-haired boy could have been speaking about. Students who couldn't even protect themselves Izuku mouthed to himself, his hands unconsciously curling into fists. He took a step back, his head feeling like he was swimming underwater.

A giant hand wrapped itself around his ribs, Izuku letting out a scream of agony that turned into a gurgle of pain, his back arching as blood left his lips-

He was brought up into the air and smashed into the ground, pain flooding his body as every nerve screamed and every cell was set ablaze. He was brought down into the ground over

And over

And over again. He couldn't breathe, he was going to die-

"Deku-kun, we're right here with you, breathe-"

A hand grasping his shoulder had him jerking to the side, eyes wide and chest heaving with panic. Everyone was silent around him as Uraraka kneeled next to him, and he didn't even remember when he had crouched down onto the floor, head buried into his knees. "There you go Deku-kun, breathe with me. In and out." He followed her instructions, following along with her breathing until he felt the claw that had wrapped itself around his chest loosen. His cheeks flushed red as he felt mortified by everyone's attention, his eyes staring at the ground.

"Listen here you fucking extra. You see that shitty nerd over there on the fucking floor? That's the fucking one who got injured trying to protect the other extras." Izuku's eyes snapped up as Kacchan spoke, watching him get in close to the tired looking boy without touching him despite the fact that Izuku knew every nerve in Katsuki's body was probably telling him to blow the boy sky high. "You should learn your fucking place before you come in here spouting bullshit about declarations of war. As far as I'm concerned, all of you extras are below our notice. We fought against fucking villains who were trying to put us in a damn casket. To us, you extras are nothing more than pebbles on our path" All eyes remained on Kacchan as Uraraka helped Izuku to his feet, the green haired boy giving her a soft thanks, resisting the urge to flee on the spot. He felt a hand wrap itself in his and he turned to the side, Mina giving him a questioning look, a frown crossing her face when Izuku shook his head.

"Oi, shitty hair, raccoon eyes. Let's go." The smoldering boy pushed his way out of the crowd, shoulder checking the general course student as he did so. The crowd parted like the red sea as Class 1-A made their way through, the other students placing themselves so that they were surrounding their green-haired classmate. Kaminari had made his way forward and thrown an arm around the boy, chatting about some ideas he had for trying not to short out. Uraraka and Iida were behind him, with Mina and Kirishima walking in front of him as they flanked Bakugou.

"That was totally uncool of them Deku-kun. You totally can protect yourself!" Izuku gave the gravity girl a tiny smile, eyes still shadowed by his hair as he walked.

"T-thanks, Uraraka-chan."

"I agree, Midoriya-kun. We should report them to the teachers at once! It is rude for them to speak to someone in that manner!" Iida's arms chopped through the air and Izuku shook his head once, wishing the conversation would end.

"It's okay Iida-kun. I didn't mind." He fiddled with his fingers, letting out a soft sigh that only Kaminari heard since the boy was directly next to him. "Besides, it's not like he was wrong." He mumbled under his breath. The electricity user gave him a small frown, one that Deku didn't notice as they entered the cafeteria. Kaminari made an excuse about going to the bathroom and slipped down the hall, walking until he found the teachers' lounge. Knocking on the door, he slid in when a booming voice called for him to answer.

"Hey sensei. I think you should talk to Midoriya." He stated, despite knowing that his friend wouldn't want anyone to know. A frown crossed his face as he began explaining what he had noticed to his teacher, and he almost felt like he was betraying his friend. No. His mind whispered in a voice that sounded suspiciously like his mom. The best thing you can do when you know you can't help someone yourself is to get them help. The same thing goes for you, Denki. The feeling of guilt still stayed, but as his blonde hair teacher leaned forward so that he could listen intently to what Denki was saying, the electric boy knew that what he had done was the best thing to get his friend help.

xxxXXXxx

The cafeteria was loud with students from all of the courses laughing and talking with each other as they ate. Izuku sat at a table with Uraraka and Iida immediately next to him, Mina, Kirishima, and Kacchan directly across. Kaminari usually sat next to Mina, but still hadn't come back after his sudden departure at the start of the lunch period. Izuku sat with his eyes lowered, focusing intently on his katsudon that he barely touched. He picked at it with his chopsticks, picking up a clump of rice only to immediately lower it again. He was vaguely aware of the eyes watching him, and he immediately raised the same clump of rice again and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly as he felt the eyes slowly disappear off of him. He didn't really have an appetite, and even though katsudon was one of his favorite meals, he couldn't force himself to eat without his stomach squirming uncomfortably. A sudden hush descending over the cafeteria made Izuku frown, lifting his eyes from his food only to jump as a giant hand suddenly clapped itself onto his shoulder. He twisted around to see who was touching him, and he saw Kaminari slide into his regular seat out of the corner of his eye.

"Midoriya-shounen. Come with me please." Izuku nodded, setting his chopsticks down and rising to his feet, grabbing his backpack with his hands and allowing it to dangle since he couldn't swing it over his back yet. He nodded to his friends, not saying anything as he spotted the guilty expression on Kaminari's face. What's going on? He thought, instead trudging out after All Might. They walked together in silence until they reached where All Might wanted to take them, the man opening the sliding door to allow Izuku in before following after the boy himself. The door shut with a soft click, All Might locking the door before immediately deflating into the familiar form of Yagi Toshinori.

"Yagi-san?" Midoriya tilted his head in confusion, only to stiffen up as he found himself in the man's arms for the second time in two days. He didn't know why he was here, didn't know what it was about-

"It is okay," The older man started to say as Izuku finally began to relax into the embrace, raising his still bandaged arms to hesitantly wrap around the blonde haired man. "To be afraid still, to be affected by what happened to you." Though the words were said delicately, it sent an unpleasant shock through Izuku's body. He sprang backward out of instinct, immediately regretting it as he felt the loss of warmth, but his mentor's face stayed impassive as he watched him. The blue eyes were piercing him, and Izuku wanted nothing more than to run away.

"W-what are you t-talking a-about?"

"Kaminari told me about what happened during class. Your minor breakdown." Izuku took another step back, hot fury rising up at the fact that Kaminari would dare to tell, only for that fury to crest and die instantly as Izuku's rational side took over. He was worried about you. They all are. Kaminari-kun did the right thing and you know it. Emerald eyes slid shut as the boy sat down heavily, unaware of when he had moved to a couch. His fingers tangled themselves in his hair as he remained silent, not knowing what to say. He must look so weak to All Might. It was only a matter of time before he showed his true colors, Izuku would always be useless, and would always be a burden. Even if the name had a new meaning now, he would always and forever be a Deku. It's only a matter of time before All Might sees that and asks for his quirk back-

"I wouldn't dream of taking it back from you." A hand wrapped itself around his arm, electric eyes staring into haunted ones. "I chose you because I saw myself in you, you who sprung in to help another person who even the heroes thought was beyond saving. You who stood in front of the fire and allowed yourself to get burned so that your classmates wouldn't be injured. There is nothing wrong with still being affected by it, especially when it's so recent." The man opened his mouth to say something more and hesitated, looking to the side as he took a deep breath. "Even the best of heroes are affected by things like that."

"Even you?" Izuku spoke without realizing it, his hands shaking as he balled them into fists, gripping his uniform pants as tightly as his crooked and scarred fingers would allow him to. His leafy green hair hung into his eyes, his lips in a straight line as he sat ramrod straight. He was a dam about to burst, and he forced back the incoming waters, refusing to show even more weakness.

"Even me. There have been times where there were people who I couldn't save, both people I didn't know and people who were extremely close to me, people that I wasn't strong enough to save. But you were, kid. Aizawa and Thirteen have you to thank for the fact that you provided first aid to hold them over until professionals could arrive. Your classmates have you to thank that no one was seriously injured besides a few scrapes and bruises. You were extremely heroic, Midoriya-shounen." Izuku inhaled sharply and let out a shuddering gasp, shoulders trembling minutely as he tried harder and harder to force back the rising tidal wave.

"I could have done more! I should have done more-"

"What else could you have done?" His mentor's voice was sharp now, his eyes sparkling with an emotion that was unfamiliar to Izuku. "Died?"

A hand was wrapping itself around his chest, he was being slammed into the ground repeatedly. His chest was on fire, his chest was swimming, he was freezing, he was trembling, he was gasping, he was dying-

A sharp rap to the head jolted him out of the memories, a panicked gasp escaping his throat as he suddenly brought his hands up to rub his still bandaged chest, averting his eyes. He couldn't bear to stare into his mentor's knowing eyes, if he said anything else then he was going to-

"There was nothing more that you could have done, you hear me kid?" He bit his lip hard, leaning his head forward as the tidal wave rose up high, and he hurriedly tried to build the wall of the dam up higher and higher- "Izuku, you were a hero. You are a hero."

The tidal wave surged and crested, crashing over the dam sending it crumbling down as Izuku squeezed his eyes shut, hot tears running down his freckled cheeks. His hands fisted themselves into his shirt as he leaned forward, a strange keening sob leaving his mouth, and suddenly he was engulfed in those twig arms once more, a chin burying itself into his hair as he removed his fists from his own shirt and instead clung to the one in front of him.

"I can't stop seeing it. I can't stop feeling it banging me into the ground, I can't stop thinking that I almost died. I can't stop thinking that I should have done more to help Aizawa-sensei and Thirteen. I can't make it stop!" The grip around him tightened as Yagi let out a soft sigh, pulling away to wipe the tears still streaming from the boy's eyes.

He's so young, they're all so young. Yagi watched his crying successor mournfully, guilt pulsating through his own body. He intimately knew what Midoriya was feeling, perhaps on an even greater scale. If Yagi had been there, if All Might had been there, then maybe the students wouldn't have been traumatized. Maybe Aizawa and Thirteen wouldn't have been injured, maybe he wouldn't have been forced to cradle the broken body of the boy he had come to care for like his very own, maybe that very same boy wouldn't have almost died.

But feeling that guilt didn't change the fact that it happened, just like how him telling the boy a few measly words wouldn't suddenly make everything okay. He unconsciously raised his hand and ruffled the boy's hair, the misty eyes coming up to meet his as he gave the boy the smallest smile before speaking. "What you're feeling is natural, my boy. Maybe if I share my dealings with things like this, it may be able to help you." Yagi closed his eyes and rose to his feet, moving to sit next to the boy instead of kneeling on the ground in front of him. He wrapped an arm around Izuku's shoulder, pulling the boy so that his head was resting on Toshinori's chest, allowing him to distract himself momentarily by messing with one of the boy's curls before he began speaking once more.

"Let me tell you about something I haven't spoken about with anyone. Let me tell you about my sensei, Shimura Nana."

Izuku left Yagi-san's office feeling lighter than he had before, eyes still swollen and red, but a small smile was on his face. It wasn't his normal megawatt smile sure, and it probably wouldn't be for a while but that was okay. He would take it one step at a time, and knowing that his mentor understood what he was feeling made him feel not so alone. He took a step into his classroom, most of his classmates already sitting in their seats and chatting with one another. His entry into the room brought another hushed silence like it had this morning, and as he had earlier, Izuku ignored it instead walking over to where Kaminari was sitting at his desk, fiddling with his fingers and not speaking to anyone. The green-haired boy came to a stop beside it, putting one hand on Kaminari's shoulder and giving him a thumbs-up, flashing his friend a brighter smile to let him know that everything was alright. He could feel the relief that must have gone through Kaminari's body, his shoulder's immediately relaxing and he let out a puff of breath. They had a silent conversation as Izuku removed his hand and returned to his seat, grabbing his notebook out of his bag and preparing himself to take notes. He appreciated his friend for stepping in when he needed it, even if Izuku hadn't exactly known what he had needed for himself at that moment. As Present Mic entered the room to start their English lesson, Izuku could have sworn he saw a tall woman with a white cape and yellow gloves on her hands walk in behind Present Mic and give him a peace sign, pushing her fingers into her cheeks and pulling them up into a smile. Izuku stared for a moment, but then he blinked and she was gone, leaving him to wonder if it was a figment of his imagination or a sign of something more.