In this episode of Author's Notes Time, it's happening. The Toga parents are about to suffer and it will be glorious. Hope everyone is still well and haven't gone (too) crazy from the lockdown.

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.

Inko

Feeling the poor girl clinging to me in a death grip and wailing into my shoulder, I could feel my heart bleed for the poor girl. That one sentence contained all the pain and longing she had held to for her mother's approval for I don't even know how long, only to be met with anger and hatred. Stroking her hair to calm her until she stopped crying, I swore that if Nezu didn't do a proper job of giving her parents hell, I'd have to do it myself.

"It's okay Himiko, you can sleep in my bed tonight and I'll take the sofa. By the ten o'clock morning news tomorrow, they'll be put away like the monsters they are. You can even watch it all happen if you want to. You don't have to worry about the others getting hurt, it'll all be okay now" I murmur as she snuggles further into my hug.

A knock on the door sends Izuku racing off to open it and let in an old acquaintance. A light smile at her evident surprise, I awkwardly stutter "H-Hey Chiyo. Been a while, h-huh?". Age seems to have taken its toll on her since we last met, her back bent and her once wild and vibrant hair now faded to grey and tied up in a neat bun on the top of her head. Looking at Himiko with a somewhat bemused expression, she snorts "You could have at least made sure she didn't move around too much and worsen her injuries, you know? Is that too much to ask for Inko?"

Wincing sightly at the bitterness behind the way she said my name, I glance at the children to indicate that there's a time and a place to settle our disputes later. Fortunately, she always had put the welfare of others before her own desires, moving as calmly and non-threateningly as possible towards Himiko, kissing her forehead and healing the worst of the injuries. Patting my arm, she said in a firm voice "Listen here, it'll take a few visits to have the poor girl back to full health. In the time between visits, she is not to do anything more strenuous than getting something to drink from the fridge and getting back into bed. I don't want to come back to find her lifting weights or something ridiculous. Before you even try to comment on that possibility, need I remind you what you did last time you were recovering?"

Flushing slightly at the reminder of part of my dark history I had cheerfully forgotten until now, I decide to take the safe option of just smiling and nodding. If that part of her personality hadn't changed, it would save me some blunt force trauma injuries.

Apparently satisfied with my response, Chiyo starts to walk back out to her car, cursing whichever scum that beat such a young girl to a fate worse than death, before I tap on her shoulder and whisper into her ear "That's already coming to them. I asked Nezu to pay off some of those favours he still owes me. They aren't escaping the rodent, not to mention he was rather angry when I mentioned it". A small hum of approval and a familiar grin that didn't reach her eyes told entire libraries worth of information on how much she was going to enjoy watching their demise.

After getting Mitsuki to pick up Kazumi and take her back home, I took Himiko back to my bedroom and tuck her in to sleep. As I pulled back to let her sleep, I felt her tug on my sleeve and whisper "C-Could you sl-sleep with me? Th-The nightmares, I-I-I" before I stroked her hair and lay down beside her. Her breathing calmed and her face that had been tensed in fear for the children finally relaxed, looking like the scared ten-year-old child she was, not the skittish, twitchy girl who had begged to not be sent back to her parents. Sensing her heartbeat slowing to the heart rate for a sleeping person, I spot Izuku sneak next to her, pat her head and mumble "Good night sis" before vanishing off to his room.

Smiling to myself I think as I fall asleep how our family had just gained a new member and the life that I would give her would be better than it was before. She deserved a proper childhood and I would get her one with everything I could.

Kazumi

The drive back home was in comfortable silence, the kind where you know each other well enough to not need to talk to fill it. It suited me just fine, going over the conversation with her and the tugging in my chest as Himiko called me nee-san. The joy on her face as she clung to Izuku and I like we would vanish if she didn't keep a hold of us imprinted itself in my mind and I made a decision.

"Hey old hag, I'm heading over to Izuku's early tomorrow, so if you're up late in the morning that's where I'll be" leading to a raised eyebrow and a cheeky grin as she cackled "Oh my, is little Kazumi scared that this Himiko might steal Izuku away from you? Are you going there to make sure you can block any advances she makes? I never pegged you as the jealous type" her cackling only growing in volume and intensity after my face turned bright red and I started to have steam come off my head.

Enjoying my utter embarrassment for a moment, she gained a serious expression and said "Honey, you are great at many things, but subtlety isn't one of them. Out of our two families, the only person who doesn't know just how bad you're crushing on Izuku is the lad himself. I'm not saying to force yourself to say anything you're not ready for, but he's a good kid and with that baby face/cheery cinnamon roll thing he has, it's quite likely that other girls will take a liking to him. Just don't wait too long and miss your chance to be honest with your feelings towards him"

Trying frantically to steer the conversation away from my feeling towards the nerd that I had no idea how to even begin to sort out, I explain "No it's not like that. Auntie Inko said that what had happened to Himiko's parents would be on the ten o'clock news and I wanted to be there for Himiko. After all, I'm her nee-san" leading to Mum giggling like a schoolgirl as we arrive at the house. Dragging me into the living room, I was then relentlessly grilled on what happened in the apartment, much to her pleasure and my despair.

Maybe tomorrow will be less hectic?

Izuku

Waking up at around eight in the morning, I stretch myself out with a yawn and make my way to the kitchen for some breakfast. Peeking into Mum's room on the way past, I see Himiko still fast asleep, clinging to Mum with a blissful smile on her face. Glad to see her looking happy, I start to make breakfast for the three of us, some simple rice porridge and cups of orange juice. Considering how malnourished she looked anything more substantial would just make her ill.

Hearing light footsteps behind me I see Himiko timidly approaching me, looking completely mortified as I looked at her thinking she'd made me angry or scared. Silently cursing her parents for leaving her like this I grab a bowl and glass for her and call "Just sit down at the table and I'll bring you something for breakfast. It seems like you could do with getting something to eat for once, I felt your ribs against my chest when I was carrying you here"

"I'm sorry..." she mumbles and I freeze in horror. She fought I was trying to find something to complain about in her, to bring her down. Keeping calm as I could, I walk over and give her the bowl of rice porridge and glass of orange juice, stroking her hair gently before going back to grab my serving to find her staring at the food in confusion.

"Is something wrong Himiko? You seem a little off, are you alright or should I get Mum to find something for you? There's some aspirin in-" I ramble only to be cut off by Himiko asking "Aren't you going to eat it first?". The surprise must have shown on my face as she explained "I always got the leftovers to eat. I wasn't good enough for proper food, so I got the scraps they left behind. Just like I would in the future as a villain, taking what proper people don't want"

Slowly and with as calm a tone as I could manage at the moment I said "Himiko, this isn't that hellhole. You are good enough for proper food, for place to feel safe and call home, for people to call friends and family. Don't say that you aren't good enough either, you're a good person and I'll make sure to remind you of that if you ever feel worried or afraid. I hope that I can see you grow to have more people to call friends, who see you for the wonderful person you are. I hope to see you live your life with all the joy and happiness you should have had this whole time"

Looking at me in joy and disbelief Himiko dashes around the table to squeeze me tight, whispering in my ear "Thank you nii-san. Thank you so much" before sitting down and digging into her rice porridge with a single-minded determination to enjoy to food in front of her with all her being.

It seems like the morning news would be far more entertaining than I thought.

Himiko

Devouring my rice porridge in a frenzy I find myself sneaking glances at nii-san enjoying his breakfast. That sweet smile bursting with positivity, those emerald eyes resplendent with a desire to see others happy and that comforting aura around him that makes me feel at peace in his presence. He's everything I thought that heroes would be, until that bastard beat and despised me, cursing me to die in that alleyway. I'd almost given up, after all if even a hero said I should die, then maybe they were right about me. Maybe I was a monster and the world would be better off without me.

Then they brought me hope.

Izuku-nii howling his frustration and disappointment in the hero, Kazumi-nee twitching with fury burning in her glare towards the hero, mister Stain taking down the false hero trying to kill me. They thought I was worth saving, that I mattered.

Barely conscious, I manage to catch what Izuku-nii's conviction was. He was someone who didn't care what kind of quirk I had and wouldn't judge me for it. He wouldn't hate and fear me like everyone else. He wanted people like me to be happy.

He was my hero.

Snapping out of my reverie and the memories of what happened yesterday, I promise myself I would protect this dream come true. I've finally found a place to feel safe, to call home, and people who loved me as a person, who cared so much about me that they would call me family. I wouldn't let anyone destroy this happiness, even if the whole world wanted to tear it apart. I would keep them safe.

No matter what I had to do.

Inko

Waking up, I feel the emptiness next to me and see that Himiko has gotten up without waking me up. Yawning heavily, I stumble into the living room to see Izuku and Himiko scarfing down rice porridge, with a bowl and glass of orange juice set aside for me. Touched by the little gesture I rub their heads on my way to sit down, Izuku getting flustered and Himiko pushing her head into my hand in an attempt to enjoy it more like a cat. For a moment I couldn't help but picture her with some blond cat ears and tail playing with a ball of yarn on the floor.

Grinning a little at their antics, I finish up the rice porridge and grab the empty bowls to wash up, announcing over my shoulder "Mitsuki said she'll be here soon to drop off Kazumi and she's bringing popcorn for the ten o'clock morning news. They thought you might want Kazumi here to look after you if the news report gets too much for you to handle" the door bell ringing to herald Himiko prancing to the door with a spring in her step and letting Kazumi in.

Kazumi and a large hiking bag full of snacks and sweets.

With her now more commonly seen 'gentle onee-san' smile on her face she calls "Heard someone was looking for some snacks to go with the show. You think I brought enough or should I get some more?" chuckling slightly at Himiko drooling uncontrollably at the sight of so many treats, her eyes almost glowing with pure joy.

Seeing them squeeze together on the sofa with laughter filling the air, I can't help but feel a pang of sadness thinking to myself "They grow so fast...you would have loved to see this, wouldn't you...Hisashi...my sweet avenger" touching the small locket in the shape of a good luck talisman from an onmyo temple.

Elsewhere

Sitting upon a throne of angular marble, a tall imposing man dressed in formal attire with jet black dress shoes and trousers, with a white button-down shirt missing its sleeves to expose his toned muscles underneath his black waistcoat, a vermillion handkerchief peeking from its pocket just over his heart.

A melancholy air surrounded the man as he pulled the handkerchief out of its pocket, staring at the small embroidered picture on its back of a young man and woman laughing together in the boughs of a giant tree overlooking a vast forest.

His gaze wandering to the small cross sewn in the corner as her mark, tears start to form as he whispers "I'm sorry I can't be there for you...my calming starlight...my precious green bean...I don't have a choice..." his homesickness striking him once more in this desolate wasteland.

Alone in that hall, the tears fell to the ground, unnoticed by any other, from those stormy grey eyes.

Izuku

Sitting on the sofa being squeezed between Kazumi and Himiko, I try to ignore Mum's smug grin at our seating arrangement and focus on the morning news that was playing through a segment about a drug bust on a small islet just outside of international waters and a gargantuan haul of dangerous drugs, including some imitations of the quirk booster 'Trigger' from America. That stuff was likely to be really bad news if it got around too much on the streets.

"On the topic of heroic news, a surprise raid of a Musutafu apartment building reveals the horrendous scheme of a couple to make some dirty money. Taking part in the systematic kidnapping and sale of orphaned or abandoned children to various groups for various purposes, ranging all the way from organ harvesting to sex trafficking to human experimentation, the couple evaded punishment for their deeds through the use of caretakers, intermediaries and heavy encryption. Fortunately for those children and everyone else for that matter, a brave child escaped and managed to alert the principal of UA, Nezu and the Symbol of Peace himself All Might to this tragedy.

The raid produced concrete evidence of their misdeeds and information that could herald a new slew of crackdowns on these detestable people, All Might giving a statement 'Know this much villains who think that you can profit off another's misery, I will personally make sure to bring down each and every one of you for your crimes. I will be there to extend a hand and tell those children they don't need to be afraid anymore, FOR I AM HERE!'

While the details of the sentence they will be serving is unknown, a source who wishes to remain anonymous has stated that it will at minimum be four life sentences each without any chance at bail in the infamous Yama's Depths high security prison known for being second only to Tartaros and home to the most A-class villains in the country, alongside several rumours about the deaths of several inmates over the last decade.

Due to the child's young age and mental trauma from this harrowing experience it has been decided that their location, picture and current guardian will be withheld from public knowledge to ensure she can recover from her suffering without the vultures of the media profession swarming her.

If you can see this now child, we may not know your name, but we at Musutafu Local and many others wish you happiness and better tomorrow to look forward to.

Good luck out there.

Now before the manager starts getting me with the death glare, the new release of the JP Heroes Billchart..."

Wondering just how bad that was supposed to be, I felt Kazumi clench my hand shivering slightly as a chill filled the room. My head jerkily twitching, I see Mum sporting a grin that would make Kazumi's manic smile look like an amateur attempt at intimidation and a great amount of satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

Spotting our confusion, she explains the true horror of what had just happened "What they failed to mention is that those strange deaths were all people who had abused children and to a far lesser extent than those two. Even criminals have their base line somewhere and targeting children is the fastest way to slap a sign on your back begging a lot of them to go after you. If I know him, he's going to make sure that they end up in general population, where they'll be surrounded by people out to make them suffer who have very few morals and security guards that probably will 'accidentally not notice' anything out of the ordinary happening to them. They haven't been thrown to the lion, they been dunked in honey and thrown into a swarm of African killer hornets" before showing us a picture of a hornet about a third the size of a house cat and some of the swarms covering the sky above small villages.

Shuddering slightly at the explanation of how screwed Himiko parents were, I hug her close and pat her head as she purrs, mumbling "I don't need them, I have the best family I could ask for right here". Mum and Kazumi join in the little group hug with a small cry of "Awww!", silently showing our support for her with our presences.

Bathing in the gentle atmosphere I smile and ponder just how lucky I am to get such a great family.

One month later

Finally having all the paperwork sorted out to give her a new identity and for her to be officially adopted into the Midoriya household, Himiko was about to start her first day at Aldera Middle School. Fully aware that it was a shithole, Kazumi and I talked her through the good teachers to go to if she was having problems, which were depressingly few to say the least and who to avoid like the plague if possible.

Walking into the living room I spot Himiko trembling in fear, having never been sent to school by her parent and scared to experience school life. Fortunately, we helped her catch up with all her subjects at record speed, certainly not hurt by the fact that she had started training in "The Ten Thousand Forgings" which seemed to have a side effect of boosting the practitioner's mental capabilities by reenforcing the physical spec for their body, including the brain's physical components. Giving her a hug and a quick slice to my palm to let her have some blood to calm down, she latches on for a few moments before pulling back, the wound healed except for a faint scar on my right palm.

"Are you going to be okay nii-san? If you keep going the scar will become permanent, even if it doesn't hurt or affect you. I-I don't want to see you push yourself so hard for me" resulting in a mandatory head patting, firmly stating "It's fine if it scars, it won't hamper me even if I did that millions of times more. Besides, it'll make a nice reminder that I have something to fight for, that you, Mum and Kazumi want me to come out of whatever happens in life safe and sound. So don't you go and start apologising for something I want to do, okay?"

Meeting Kazumi outside we all walk off to school and continue our quest to seek out our future as true heroes.

Okay, so I hope you enjoy the punishment. The thing about most criminals in prisons despising people who harm children is a real-life occurrence, so I thought I'd be an interesting way to get some roundabout sneaky punishment in. Hope you all enjoyed, stay safe and see you next chapter of Runic Legacy.