A BNHA fanfic.

My Hero Academia/BNHA is owned by Horikoshi-sama and all affiliated Media. I make no profit from playing in their universe.

A/N: We are getting down to where I am only a chapter or two ahead of the postings. I will try to keep at least that far ahead.

**SORRY ABOUT THE CONFUSION IN CHAPTER 10. I HAD TO DELETE AND RE-UPLOAD IT DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE CHAPTER – I ACCIDENTALLY HAD 2167 AS THE YEAR FOR THE FAMILY REUNION, BUT 2167 WAS KIKU'S BIRTH YEAR. THIS HAS BEEN FIXED.**

This chapter will complete the I-Island reunion. After this chapter there will be a small time-skip.

Updates on Wednesdays. Here's hoping 2021 is a BIG improvement over 2020!

Constructive Reviews welcome. Flames will be flushed.

[speech] - denotes English Language

)_O_(

CHAPTER 11

Toshinori was quite proud of how fast Kiku was picking up English. By the time everyone else had arrived, Kiku had managed to pick up the basics of greetings and answering simple questions. Anything complex or detailed was still beyond her and the questioner had to make sure they spoke slowly and allowed her time to translate the words in her mind. Melissa had been a wonderful help. She had wandered into the living room about half an hour after Toshinori had started the lessons. Having someone to bounce words off of and listen to had done wonders. By the end of the lesson Kiku's English had improved as had Melissa's Japanese and both girls were fast on their way to becoming friends.

While Kiku spent a few minutes using his phone to text Aizawa and crew, he spent a few minutes with Melissa, just the two of them playing checkers and talking about her fears and frustrations. She told him about helping her mother when weakness set in and what it was like to watch her mother practically wasting away before her eyes. The checker game was soon forgotten as she soaked his shirt with her tears.

After the tears had dried and the game was finished, Melissa and Kiku retreated to Melissa's room giggling and pointing at things, one girl saying the name of something in English and the other responding with the Japanese word. Toshinori felt a wave of happiness knowing his two favorite girls were getting along so well. He spent most of the morning leading up to the reunion taking apart the broken bed and helping Dave assemble the new grill. If a few tears were shed along the way between men who were like brothers, neither would ever admit it. The remaining time had been devoted to Rachel who had taken to her bed shortly after breakfast, all of her energy spent.

Other than Dave, his cousin had always been his closest Confidante. She had held him as he mourned Nana's death and then after the breakup with the love of his life. She had listened to his frustrations when he couldn't find trace of his nemesis and his complaints about having to work with that conceited prick Captain Celebrity. More recently she had comforted him over the phone after he had watched the video a very pregnant Inko had left behind for him. A video he planned to one day share with Kiku.

Shortly after lunch Melissa and Kiku came down the stairs. Kiku was dressed in her school skirt and white stockings and was wearing a frilly white blouse Miss Midnight must have assisted her in picking out. The girls had been busy he noted, seeing the small pink roses that had been entwined into her braid. Melissa had her hair in a matching braid, both girls making a very fetching picture as they came down the stairs to join the receiving line. Toshinori had splurged on a navy-blue suit, white dress shirt and red tie with thin gold pinstripes that ran in horizontal lines across it.

Spencer, David's twin was the first to arrive. He greeted each of them enthusiastically before turning to Kiku. "Who is this, David?"

"This is Toshinori's daughter, Kiku. He just found out about her and wanted to introduce her to the family." David explained, wondering how his brother would react. You never knew with Spence.

[Hello there, I'm Uncle Spencer,] he greeted in English.

[H-hello. I Kiku am,] the girl replied brokenly, smiling up at him.

Spencer laughed. [She's definitely your daughter, Toshi,] he turned back to Kiku. [Very good effort. Next time put am before Kiku] he instructed. She cocked her head at him, her little brain working through his instructions. [I am Kiku?] she enquired.

[Ha ha! Yes! Very good. How old are you, my dear?]

Kiku shot a questioning look at Toshinori. He smiled, placing his hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture as he translated.

Oh. [I am s-seven?] she replied hesitantly.

[Good lord, really? I would have thought her ten at least,] he addressed this last bit to Toshinori. Toshinori just smiled. [It's her quirk,] he explained.

A knock at the door interrupted further conversation and they turned to greet the next set of newcomers. In this case, Rachel's sister Jeanette and her husband William.

Though more formal in address, the two were no less welcoming of Kiku. Jeanette, red-haired and heavily gravid with their first child, knelt down and hugged Kiku, welcoming her to the family in flawless Japanese. Fascinated at the roundness of 'Cousin Jeanette's' body, Kiku reached a hand toward her stomach with questioning eyes. Jeanette smiled and took the girl's hand, placing it on the bulge of her stomach and explaining that she was expecting a little girl in about two months, a new cousin for Kiku and Melissa.

"How did she get there?" Kiku asked. Toshinori choked out a spluttering laugh. Trust his daughter to ask the one question he wasn't prepared to answer.

Jeanette chuckled, translating for her husband who let out a booming laugh and said something to Toshinori in English, slapping him on the shoulder. Toshinori blushed and replied back in English.

"I'm afraid that's a discussion for your father to have with you, but not for a few more years yet. It is something girls get to learn about when they are older." Shooting a sly glance over her shoulder, she teased Toshinori. "You have quite the inquisitive one here, Toshinori. I can't wait to see what she's like as a teenager." Toshinori paled, fearing the day his daughter discovered the mystery of boys…or girls.

The final two guests arrived together. Cousin Naomi and Toshinori's Aunt Diane, the sister of his mother. Naomi Birch was a sour-faced woman of short stature with pale brown hair and yellow eyes. Seemingly displeased with everything, she glowered down at Kiku with open disdain, barely acknowledging the girl's greeting. [I can't believe you had the nerve to drag your little by-blow along to a family event. Children like that don't belong amongst the family.]

[Naomi!] Rachel gasped in horror as Toshinori's fists clenched. He barely tolerated the woman at the best of times, but this was going too far.

"Papa, what's going on? What is she saying?" He could hear the nervous tremor in his daughter's voice as she picked up on the hostility and tension in the room. He wrapped a comforting arm around Kiku, shifting his stance to shield her as he quietly explained in Japanese that Aunt Naomi was just very bitter about life in general and reassuring her the woman's reaction had nothing to do with Kiku's behavior.

Spencer interposed his 6'4" frame between Naomi and Kiku, glaring down at the small woman. [You were invited as a courtesy and are a guest in my brother's home. I expect you to show common courtesy and act as a guest should. That sweet little girl has done nothing whatsoever to you and you should be ashamed of yourself. Apologize or see yourself out!] David stepped up beside his brother, Melissa taking his place beside her mother's wheelchair.

[Naomi, you may be traditional and uber-religious but that is no excuse to be offensive to a guest in my home. I can guarantee you, Kiku is not just 'some by-blow' as you stated. She is the child of the only woman Toshinori has ever loved and if that woman were still alive today Toshinori would have moved heaven and earth to have her standing beside the both of them here. Being born part of the disadvantaged 20 percent does not give you the right to treat anyone that way, let alone a seven-year-old child.]

The woman blanched and apologized to Toshinori and Kiku though the latter was still confused as to what was happening. Melissa reached over and clasped Kiku's hand tightly in hers. As Naomi moved away, a small frail woman with dark brown hair liberally streaked with gray moved forward to embrace each of them. Toshinori introduced her to Kiku. "Kiku, this is my aunt, Diane Prince. She was my mother's sister."

"You are a lovely child, my dear. You look like you are growing up big and strong just like your daddy," the elderly woman whispered in clear but accented Japanese, one withered hand cupping Kiku's cheek. Kiku smiled at the woman, still a little nervous after the previous lady's outburst.

The rest of the reunion was mostly uneventful for Kiku who felt out of her depth and stuck close to her father, Uncle Spencer and Melissa. She discovered how very much she adored [barbecue ribs] and [macaroni and cheese], gladly taking second and even third helpings. She wasn't fond of the stuff they called [sour krowt?] and completely abhorred [green bean casserole]. Whoever thought mixing green beans and onions was just plain crazy, she decided. She fell asleep at the picnic table shortly before the desert course was to be served, Toshinori carrying her inside to tuck her in, not bothering to change her out of her day clothing.

)-O-(

Okinawa, Japan – same day…

Hitoshi skipped down the street holding Sakura Obaa-san's hand as they wandered through the Market district on a mission to find some Mochi for Kishōbu Obaa-san who was incredibly sad that her favorite cat Nezuhantā passed away last night at the ripe old age of 23. Kishōbu Obaa-san was inconsolable, and Hitoshi and Sakura were determined to cheer her up with some ginger-mint mochi.

Hitoshi found himself suddenly tumbling to the ground as a large figure barreled into Sakura Obaa-san, knocking him aside in the process. Tears welled up in his eyes as bloody scrapes appeared on his hands and knees. Pain turned to horror as he saw the big man holding a knife to his grandma's throat. He stumbled to his feet, hurling a rock at the man. "Leave her alone," he yelled at the villain.

"Why you –" the man stopped abruptly as Hitoshi's quirk took effect.

Sakura took in the stunned villain who stood motionless, knife now hanging loosely in his hand. She stepped out of his space and moved to Hitoshi, pulling out her phone. "Tell him to sit by the wall and not move." She instructed as she dialed the number for the local police station. She quickly explained the situation to them and once done texted Hizashi and Shouta.

Hitoshi stood trembling, struggling to hold the man under his control, utterly terrified both of the consequences of using his quirk and the consequences if he lost his hold on the man. His control wavered and fell just as Shouta and Hizashi stumbled on the scene. The man was climbing to his feet just as they arrived, a new dagger emerging from the palm of his hand. He stared at his hand in horror as the weapon stopped, half-formed, under Shouta's glare. Moments later he was bound in capture scarf and hanging upside down from a nearby light pole.

Hizashi and Shouta praised Hitoshi for his bravery, reassuring him that using his quirk in that instance had probably saved not only Sakura Obaa-san's life, but his as well. Hitoshi beamed under the praise, nearly vibrating with pride as he quietly answered the officer's questions and reassured the man, he would leave the capturing of villains to heroes and police unless they were threatening him or his family.

An hour of discussion and a bit of paperwork later, Hitoshi and Sakura were on their way again, this time accompanied by Hizashi. Shouta had returned to the house to keep Kishōbu company. They would meet up with the other three later for supper. The Mochi shop Nekohanten was run by a pleasant young lady whose lavender hair was liberally striped with darker streaks of purple. The name badge pinned to her apron just said 'Heiwa.'

Heiwa-san greeted them cheerfully, offering Hitoshi a sample of Caramel-Raspberry Mochi which he happily devoured. "Good Afternoon, I am Heiwa Kerun, the owner of this little shoppe. It is nice to see you again Yamada-san, Yamada-san," she bowed to Hizashi & Sakura. "Who is this sweet young one?"

"This is my new grandson, Hitoshi," Sakura replied. "Say hello, Hitoshi."

Hitoshi swallowed his mouthful of mochi before speaking up. "Hello, my name is Shinso Hitoshi, soon to be Yamada. It is good to meet you, please take care of me."

"Oh, he's adorable! Do you want your regular order of Ginger-Mint and Triple Chocolate Swirl?"

Sakura smiled at her. "Yes, but also add a small order of the Caramel-Raspberry. Hitoshi seems to like it."

"Uh, huh. It's very good. Can we get some to take back for Kiku?" He addressed the last part to Hizashi who was fidgeting nervously.

"Sure, do you have any Vanilla and lemon? I think she would like that. Your sister isn't here today is she?" He enquired, looking around fearfully.

Heiwa-san laughed. "No, she's not here. She is at college right now, you are safe. I will whip up some vanilla and lemon tonight for you. You should bring your husband next time. I haven't seen him since just after the two of you graduated."

Hizashi laughed and agreed to do so, glad his childhood stalker would not be there to ruin his visit. Just as Shouta had to contend with Fukukada-san chasing after him, Hizashi had grown up running from Heiwa-san's little sister, Shanpū.

)-O-(

Chiba Prefecture, Japan – a short time later…

Genten looked up from his computer screen at the polite clearing of throat coming from the door to his office. He glanced up to find his finest creation, Kurogiri, waiting in the doorway. At a gesture from him, the butler entered the room. "Sir, there is a Giran here to see you. He has someone with him."

The man known as All-for-One glanced up. "Show them in and make sure I'm not disturbed."

The gaseous purple-black nomu bowed and exited. Genten took the next couple of minutes to save his email and activate his screensaver. He wondered who the procurer had found for him this time. It didn't take long for the other man to arrive, accompanied by a teenage boy with black hair. Frowning, he pointed at the waste receptacle. The bespectacled procurer bowed and moved to the disposal unit and inserted his freshly lit cigar. If the man weren't so valuable, he would have destroyed him long ago for being disrespectful enough to smoke that foul thing in his presence. With another gesture from him the two were seated.

All-for-One folded his hands on the desk and activated the minor empathy quirk he had obtained a century or so ago. Giran, as always, was calm and loyal. Nothing seemed to phase the man. The boy, on the other hand, was a seething morass of emotions. Hate, anger, vengeance, and a healthy dose of fear and pain – part of which was directed toward himself.

He gave a subtle nod to Giran at which the gray-haired man rose and bowed before withdrawing from the room, leaving him alone with the boy.

Genten leaned back in his chair in an effort to seem less intimidating. "So, young Todoroki, how can I help you today?"

)-O-(

Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo, Japan…

The tall former sidekick crossed his ankles beneath the desk as he leaned forward, squinting through square spectacles at the email on the screen.

Son,

I am sending your brother to stay with you. Watch over him and ensure he gets accepted into your Alma Mater. I am putting you in charge of his training. Don't disappoint me.

Father

As usual his father didn't ask, he commanded. Mirai sighed, massaging the crease in his temples. Opening an agency was stressful. His brother would be arriving tomorrow on the ten-o-clock train. He'd have to make space for the boy, he supposed, but that could come later. He reached for the stack of sidekick applications he'd received and began to peruse them. After half an hour, he had narrowed it down to his top three choices.

Juzo Moashi – Quirk: Centipede; Hero name: Centipeder – by far the oldest of the admissions but with good reviews from the previous heroes he had interned under.

Himitsu Yogisha – Quirk: Truth Serum; Hero name: Inquisitor – recent graduate of Ketsubutsu academy. Graduated top of his class. Young, but with a lot of potential.

Namida Chiase – Quirk: Blood, Sweat & Tears; Hero name: Droplet. Another young one, recent graduate of Saitama Academy in Hosu. Quirk has interesting applications for many situations.

Sir Nighteye reached for the phone to start scheduling interviews.

…A.U.T.H.O.R.S..N.O.T.E…

This chapter was a bit shorter. I struggled to get it just the way I wanted it.

So…who recognizes the name drops in this chapter?

I am trying to work more points of view into the story. As you can tell, someone has been introduced to the league of villains early. There is a reason for this. No, I won't spoil it.

After this chapter there will be a decent time skip.