On this episode of Authors Note Time, thanks yet again to Sushui. We have some training as promised last time and a juicy plot point to boot. A thanks to Jik Jok for the encouragement in their review, it means a lot.
Sushui's discord link is back in chapter 2 for anyone interested where I post early versions before uploading. Anyways, you didn't come here to listen to me, Bread out.
Three Months Later
Out of all the possible ways I could end this day of training, I didn't expect it to be me embedded in the floor head first and Kazumi passed out with steam coming off her head. Thankfully Gin-sensei had been getting us to practise a truly diabolical physical training regime called "The Ten Thousand Forgings" that drastically increased our physical abilities or I am certain that I would not have been able to survive that explosion in nearly as gooda condition as I am now.
In my defence, when I ducked under Kazumi's punch and tried to use my hand to grab her shoulder, I was trying to go for a throw. I completely underestimated Kazumi's reaction speed and she turned around just in time for my hand to miss her shoulder and grasp something else entirely.
"When was her shoulder squishy?" was the last clear thought that I can remember going through my mind before there was an ear-piercing screech, an explosion, then a thud on the floor next to me.
Gin however was too busy collapsed on the ground cackling like a witch and weakly pounding the floor with his fist to check on us for a good three minutes. After he got around to that, it turned out I had a mottled collection of bruises covering my body, a broken nose, three displaced ribs and a fractured collar bone or as Gin put it "Some light exercise injuries" before grabbing one of his enchanted items to lay me on and heal me back up to full health. Kazumi just fainted from what Gin termed "Overstimulation" with an incredibly indecent smile threatening to split his head in two.
Thirty minutes later and a flustered apology after I realized exactly what Gin meant by "Overstimulation" Kazumi and I walked back home together, both of us still blushing furiously. Managing to thankfully distract ourselves by discussing All Might's latest rescue mission in a skyscraper that had been set on fire by a serial arsonist, we were interrupted by the sounds of sobbing and fists colliding with flesh from an alley on the way past. We looked at each other in tacit agreement and sneaked into the alley to see what was going on. What we saw broke our trust in heroes and our hearts along with it.
A local hero called 'Purifier' with a mid-strength fire quirk was beating a young girl that looked our age senseless, rambling about her being a monster, that she'd be doing everyone a favour by dying here and no one would care when she is gone. Losing my cool I turn the corner and howl at the top of my lungs "The only monster I see here is the one beating a young girl half to death, you bastard!"
He had the nerves to look genuinely confused for a moment, as if he couldn't understand what was wrong with his actions before smilingly informing us "I see where this misunderstanding is coming from. She has a blood quirk, a villain's quirk and we have enough of them running around so why not get rid of some before they become an issue"
A low bestial growl tore itself from my throat as I snarled "What the hell does that have to do with this? Power doesn't make people heroes or villains, it's what you do with it. The only villain I see here is you". With those words the sacred image of heroes, the people I had suffered through the heart-wrenching pain caused by training 'The Ten Thousand Forgings' and studied every night to try to gain my Arcanum, my own magic, to join the ranks of, it all came tumbling down in pieces to crush me.
"A fitting answer for a true hero. How unfortunate that a child so young can understand what you fail to false hero" called a voice overflowing with malice and rage. Turning swiftly Purifier tried to react to the attack, only to find his attacker perched on his shoulder, licking a cut on his cheek before collapsing.
The man, if he could be called that, stood there before us shrouded in the setting dusk that shone faintly over the lips of the buildings that made up the alleyway. Several chipped and well used knives were holster on his body, with a katana handle peeking over his should, covered in dirty bandages and a blood red strip of cloth with hole torn in it to serve as a mask. His nose seemed to have been cut clean off at some point and there were small scars littered over every inch of exposed skin.
Instinct taking a hold, I dashed in front of the collapsed girl, unwilling to let her get hurt anymore. Kazumi's presence beside me told me all I needed to know about her intentions. We both take a combat stance opposite the man, ready to fight with all we have. Far from being defensive or combative, the man seemed almost...approving of our response. Like we had passed some sort of test.
"It seems you both possess the heart of a true hero, an unfortunately rare qualification to possess. I guess this is the first-time you children have ever seen this side of heroes, of the hypocrisy that infects them, the people who claim the title of 'hero' and do deeds that would sicken several villains I have met over years, some far more deserving of the title of 'hero' than they could ever hope to be. It's not an easy thing to accept, but he isn't the only one like this. While the heart of a hero is one qualification you possess, I shall ask this of you" he spoke as a cold bloodlust that surpassed Gin's radiated from him "What is your conviction? What will you fight to embody as a hero?"
Kazumi puts on a trembling grin and speaks her conviction with the same determination and spirit she had as she found an anchoring point for her desire to fight "I will become a hero who will never lose, who will never allow a villain to step past me and attack another. As long as I live, I refuse to fail to live up to that ideal. Not ever again. Not after being given so much help to change"
Curiosity getting the better of him the man whose identity I was slowly piecing together the truth of his identity, piece by chilling piece, he looked between us and seemed to understand something. Looking to me for my answer, I pondered for a moment before my memories drifted to the hate and disdain of my classmates and teachers towards mutant-types, 'villainous' quirks and quirkless. The anger and bitterness suffused my voice with a level of strength I thought beyond me as I spat out "I want to see a world where people can understand each other, where no one has to fear that the day they are going to be told that they're quirkless, a mutant-type or have a 'villainous' quirk. I won't let anyone else suffer that if I can do anything about it".
The injured girl twitches slightly at the power behind my words and the man nods in approval, the bloodlust replaced by a kind of pride and satisfaction that seemed completely at odds with his appearance. "Maybe there is hope yet for a better future. I look forward to the day you show the world that you shall stand tall as a true hero. You might want to take the girl and your friend away from here now, this isn't something children should see"
Gently carrying the trembling bloody girl in my arms, I smile sadly and walk away with her in my arms "I know Hero-Killer Stain. Just make sure not to accidentally purge those who are still capable of making amends and becoming better for their encounter with you". As Kazumi followed me, she paused almost talking to herself "Not everyone who make mistakes are irredeemable. Some fail to live up to their potential as true heroes for no reason other than no-one was there to tell them they were straying. Sometimes it just takes someone to point them back to the right path and remind them what it is that they fight for to bring them back to the path of a true hero. I should know, I was one of them."
Sensing her catching up to me we both miss the moment he looks to us as we leave, contemplation flickering in his eyes as he comes to the realisation of another way to purge society of the fakes, of another way to spread the message of true heroes.
Inko
I knew that Izuku and Kazumi were training late at one of Hisashi's friend's Dojo, but they were usually back by now. Hearing an urgent thudding on the door, I sprint over to unlock and almost get run over as Kazumi charged to the sofa to clear the cushions and cover it in a black blanket. I barely avoid getting run over for the second time as Izuku dashes to the sofa carrying a bloody girl in his arms without care that her blood was getting all over him.
"Izuku Midoriya, Kazumi Bakugo, there had better be a good reason for this?" I called, panicking at the prospect of them getting themselves into trouble. After a swift session of babbling from Izuku and a few clarifications from Kazumi, it seemed that they were walking back from the dojo and heard crying from an alleyway where they found her laying there after getting beaten. Understanding the urgency of the situation, I grab the first aid kit and make for the phone to call an ambulance, when the girl snatches it from the cradle, begging with tears in her golden, cat pupil eyes "Please...don't send me back...I beg...hurt me...I'll do anything...just don't..."
As the pieces clicked together, a terrible image came together and I could feel my heart trembling as I choked out "Your parents...hurt you?" afraid to believe that people could truly be so cruel to their own flesh and blood. The whimper that came from her and the fresh tears that flooded her face were all the answers I needed to get the worst answer possible.
For the first time in twenty long years that I had spent in peace, first as a wife then as a mother, my quirk and my gift unconsciously activated as every loose object in the apartment floated from the ground and clattered into one another in mid-air. My fury reaching a blazing peak, I comfort the poor child by delicately stroking her hair, promising "It's okay now. I won't let them hurt you ever again. You're safe now. It's over, you can escape them"
Gasping around the sobs that violently shook her the girl wailed in despair "I-I can't, they-ey'll hurt th-the others. It-t would b-be my fau-ault again". The fury and hate I held towards her parents that I thought had reached its peak before burned even more fiercely than before. In my rage I cursed with an almost forgotten vicious streak rearing its head once more "Not if I have anything to fucking say about that. I'll call a friend to see if I can collect on some favours that I'm still owed. They're going down if I have to drag your sperm donor to the jail cells by the dick and your incubator by her tits. Let's see what they plan to do from inside a jail cell"
Only then realizing that Izuku and Kazumi were watching me with slack jaws almost hitting the floor, I splutter "What's that look for? I can get angry too, you know?". A light tug at my sleeve makes me turn to see a flame of hope in her eyes. Fragile and one breath from fading away, but it was better than the dull, broken gaze she had when she came in.
"Do you promise?" she sniffled, trying her hardest to be brave as she rubbed away her tears. Extending my little finger to her, I solemnly swear "I promise you; I'll make sure your parents can never hurt you or the other children again. So let me help you, okay?"
Hooking her little finger around mine, an almost imperceptible smile appears on her lips as she mumbles "Thank you...I'm Toga Himiko...Thank you" as relief swept over her and the exhaustion caught up with her.
Leaving Izuku and Kazumi still stunned at my earlier outburst, I go to my room, turn on a phone I never thought I would make use of again and dial the number of an old schoolmate "It's been a while hasn't it Nezu? I remember you still owing me for the last mess you pulled me into, not counting all the other favours you still haven't found a way to pay off yet. I just so happen to have a situation here I think you'd be willing to interfere with even if it didn't mean you could pay off some of the favours you owe me. Here's the situation..."
Having explained the entire mess to him I could hear Nezu's teeth grinding with incredible force and a malevolent aura seeped from the phone "What an interesting story. Should I call you Inko from now on? As low as my expectations for humans are they still manage to disappoint in spectacular fashion. It would be amusing if it wasn't so aggravating. Don't worry, if I heard about a situation like this then I would be on it anyway, but since you're offering to call off some of my debts while I'm at it, I think you'll enjoy the outcome of these miscreants. Just watch the morning news tomorrow, perhaps have some popcorn ready for the show"
Sensing the malevolence pouring out of the phone, I knew that Nezu was officially done with their shit and he would take no small amount of pleasure in doing this, even if I never mentioned he could pay off those favours. Nezu usually had a limit he tried to keep himself to, but my request had just given him the perfect excuse to make it as brutal as possible. Remembering his sadistic streak from when we worked together, a shit-eating grin etched itself across my face. I think they'll enjoy this.
Kazumi
To say I had been shocked today would be an understatement. We witness the dark side of heroes, meet the fucking 'Hero-Killer' of all people, gain his respect and approval, carry the battered girl back to Auntie Inko's house to try and help her heal, before witnessing something I would have laughed off as impossible an hour ago.
Auntie Inko, the woman who never hated me in spite of all I'd done to her son, who forgave me for everything, who might as well be my second mother. The sweetest, kindest, gentlest woman I had ever seen.
She was completely enraged.
As Auntie Inko's body trembled from her fury and every loose item in the apartment started to float upon hearing about what the girl's parents did, I sensed danger that made Gin seem harmless by comparison. When Inko heard that they would hurt the other children if she ran away, the fury that was already pouring off her grew and morphed into an icy, vicious wrath that promised untold misery for those that had provoked her. After a bout of cursing that would have impressed me if I wasn't too terrified to notice, she went to her bedroom promising "to call some friends". Leaving us alone with the aftermath.
A clattering sound next to me distracted me from my shock, eyes flickering to see Izuku slack-jawed and staring at where she once was in shock, knees knocking into each other. I probably didn't look any better myself, fingers twitching without rhyme or reason. I think it was only the knowledge that we weren't the targets of her rage that kept us from collapsing there and then on the spot.
A sudden chilling thought grasped my heart in horror. If Auntie Inko was capable of getting like this when she is angry, what would have happened if Izuku never managed to bring me back and I kept being the vindictive bitch I was before. Trying my hardest not to picture the outcome of that particular scenario, I focus on slowing down my breathing to calm myself. A useful trick Gin taught me to use until I was ready to start controlling my channelling art directly.
Swearing to myself that I would ask the old hag about what the hell happened here, I decide that I'd sooner face All Might alone in battle than infuriate her if I ever have a choice in the matter. At least I might survive against All Might.
Izuku
Well...that was something. Seems that Mum has a hidden streak of wrath when she has finally been pushed too far. Grabbing my knees, to try and get them under control I remember that the girl (I think her name was Toga Himiko?) was still lying on the sofa. Making my way to her as best I could with my unsteady legs, I sit in front of the sofa and stroke her hair like I would for a nervous cat, slow and gentle trying to keep her from crying.
"C-Can she save them?" Himiko stuttered, her worry for the other children occupying her thoughts, even in her current state. A stabbing pain lanced through my heart looking at the girl who was forced to grow up too soon, her mind a step away from shattering under the burden she carried.
"She'll save them. Auntie Inko has never made a promise she can't keep and she won't start now" Kazumi declared, confidence dancing in her crimson eyes as she strolled over. Leaning in with a gleeful grin she lowered her voice and chuckled softly for the Himiko to hear "I think that's the first time I've ever seen her lose it like that. She's probably already planning how to bring hell itself knocking on their door if her rant was anything to go by"
Calmed a bit by Kazumi's words, Himiko managed to clearly speak for the first time that night "Thank you. I'm Toga Himiko, but just call me Himiko. I don't want to have anything to do with those monsters" choking slightly towards the end. Pulling her close, I hold her close and smile "You can cry you know. They can't hurt you anymore, so you don't need to hide anymore. Just let go"
Tears building in her golden cat-like eyes, she mumbles "Even though I'm a freak, you'd still help me?" the fragile flame of hope that reside in them starting to grow. Holding her tight I tell her with all my conviction, steel coating my every word "You are NOT a monster Himiko. A monster wouldn't worry about others when they were in your state. A monster wouldn't willingly go back into a nightmare to protect others. A monster wouldn't care for others. You're a kind girl, forced to grow sooner than you should ever have to. I don't care if you have a blood quirk, you're a good person and I'll tell anyone who wants to judge you on that alone to shove it up their ass"
With a raised eyebrow and a dangerous smirk Kazumi cackled in vicious glee "Only if I don't tear them a new one first, Izu. I can't let you have all the fun and do something like that without me. Where'd your manners go? You could at least invite me to witness the show" prompting a giggle from Himiko. Small and muffled, but a giggle none the less.
Awkwardness overtakes Himiko as she hesitantly mumbles "Thank you, but I can't stay here. My quirk means that I start to develop a ravenous hunger for...blood. I don't want to hurt you, you're the only people to ever show me kindness and I..." trailing off at the end. We all knew what she meant and it hurt me to see someone so afraid and hateful towards themselves. Making a snap decision, I decide to save her at least.
Patting her head softly I chuckle "If that's what you're worried about, I don't mind giving you some of my blood. I won't abandon you, after all a true hero does their best to save everyone. It doesn't matter if it's from villain attacks, disasters, a nightmarish existence or their own despair, a hero should try to help others. Let me help you Himiko"
Stunned by the idea that someone would willingly give her blood she looks from me to Kazumi, grinning with a thumbs up in agreement. Sniffling she asked for something she had been denied for so long. "Could I call you nii-san and nee-san? Would you accept someone like me as family?"
In perfect unison, Kazumi and I both blurted out "Yes!". The tears she had hidden throughout the nightmare she had escaped broke free and she clung to us both, manging to babble around her sobbing "Thank you! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
A light coughing sound brought our collective attention to Mum standing there with a video recorder and drying off some tears of her own. "If you would be willing, I would love to have you as a daughter"
Himiko
Those words broke the last of my barriers, my fears about them. They would accept someone like me as family. Not caring for my injuries, I flung myself into her arms and for the first time since I left that hell, I felt at peace in this house.
"Thank you, Mum"
It seems I've finally found people to call family.
Yes, I was going to do the judgement of the Toga parents this chapter, but I wanted to write something heart-warming for the little vampire. She deserves that much at least. Until the next chapter, take care everyone.