With one jump the pro hero Eraserhead joined into the chase. He had seen the woman a street back who had been stabbed and had ensured civilians were calling an ambulance and more heroes. He followed the shouting, which sounded like it was coming from a kid. The kid was yelling at a man with a knife, while using a wind quirk to knock him down. The hero erased the kids quirk but he kept running after the knife guy. Quick movements had the kid captured in scarves and passed to capture the criminal. Aizawa took the knife and called the police. He looked over at the kid. He had dark brown hair that almost looked black, and it hung over his eyes messily. He sat with his feet in front of him, which were dirty and shoeless.
When police arrived on scene, Aizawa left the villain to be arrested and went over to the kid. Kneeling down in front of him the kid paid him no attention. He was released from the capture weapon but still didn't look at the hero.
Aizawa sighed. "What's your name kid? What are you doing out this late chasing villain?" he enquired. It was indeed too late for a child to be out in the streets, with the moon high in the sky.
The boy grimaced before answering. "Ichini. I saw him stab someone so I chased him and made a lot of noise so he couldn't hide before a pro or the police turned up"
Grunting at the answer, Aizawa asked more questions. "Where are your parents? I should let them know what's happened and you should get that cut fixed"
Ichini looked down at himself and saw the cut on his arm, he must have gotten it when he confronted the man who stabbed the woman. He looked at it like he was only just aware of it now. He debated with himself on how he would answer the pro. In the end, which only lasted a few seconds he replied. "I don't have parents and I'm fine". He moved to stand, still not looking anywhere near the pro hero's face.
Aizawa put his hand on Ichini's shoulder with enough weight to stop him going anywhere. Ichini looked up and his eyes flashed – changing color slightly and showing recognition.
Ichini was well aware of how his eye color would sometimes change – it was past reincarnations pushing the front, getting a look for themselves. It wasn't all that bad, they gave him knowledge and helped with certain things. But all the comments he got in regards to his eyes annoyed him.
"Come with me" Aizawa said, before steering both of them over to a police car. He requested for a ride down to U.A, by the time they arrived the sun should be rising and the Youthful Heroine Recovery Girl should be there. Ichini got into the back seat, next to Aizawa. He felt there was no point in trying to run. If the hero really wanted to get his wound looked at and a safe place sorted out, there would be no stopping him from dragging the kid with him.
Aizawa thought the kid was strange. He didn't protest when getting told to get in the car, and he didn't ask questions about what was happening or where they were going. He only kept his head down and gripped and pulled at his shirt collar. The only sign that he was anxious.
Ichini on the other hand was being very oblivious the world around him. His past lives tried calming him and it wasn't working. He was still in control but he felt like all 20 or so past lives were right behind him, ready to jump in.
When the police car stopped out front of the prestigious school, the door opened and Ichini and Aizawa stepped out. Ichini firmly thought to his past lives, and this was his life. They backed off a bit. Aizawa did something to the security system so they both could get in despite Ichini not having a pass. They worked their way through the massive campus until they reached the infirmary. The hero knocked before entering and pushed the younger of the two in before him.
"Good morning Shuzenji" Aizawa started with very little enthusiasm. "I was hoping you could look at the wound Ichini got when he was involved in an incident early this morning."
The healing hero gave the boy one look before gesturing for him to get onto a bed. He looked exhausted and dirty. The cut on his arm had stopped bleeding, but it had left its mark on his sleeve. She then gave a look towards Aizawa, wanting a full explanation.
"Young man, take off your shirt please so I can get a better look at that cut" she said, while collecting supplies to clean it up. Ichini hesitated, he grabbed at his shirt collar anxiously. He had many cuts and scars hidden behind long sleeves, and not all of them from accidents. Having to live on the streets and dealing with jumbled advice and knowledge that would sometimes get out hand. It didn't help that some of their memories had merged with his, as did some of their habits.
He felt childish as he look up to Aizawa for reassurance, who was leaning against a wall and nodded in return. Ichini held back a huff and reluctantly removed his shirt. Shuzenji was still gathering somethings, but Aizawa's eyes widened a little and he inhaled as he saw scars and cuts, the freshest one being from earlier.
Recovery Girl returned and Ichini held his head low and his fists were clenched. "How did you get all off these cuts?" she asked as she started examining them.
Ichini thought it was obvious. He felt frustrated. He didn't answer. Recovery girl looked at his face for answers, and like most people, she noticed his eyes. They were shifting colors but underneath them were bags, hinting that he had very little sleep recently. She tried a different question.
"When was the last time you slept?"
"I think I had a nap 3...? days ago" he guessed, not too sure of it himself.
"No wonder you look so tired" Aizawa chimed in and in response Ichini pursed his lips then replied quietly. "It's hard to find a place to relax"
The room was quiet. Shuzenji did her job while Aizawa thought and observed. Soon, his arms were covered with bandages when he was told to lay down on the bed, he was sitting on the side before. When he was in the middle of the bed, Shuzenji quickly kissed his hand and he promptly passed out. He needed the rest.
She turned to Aizawa. "From the start" she requested. He told her what had happened from his perspective, including that Ichini said he has no parents.
The underground hero shifted. The healing hero sighed before speaking. "Those look like self-harm scars – he isn't even 10"
"How old do you think he is?" Aizawa asked.
"Probably 8 or 9"
Aizawa straightened. "I'll look through the quirk registry and see if he is there. Maybe I can find who his parents are. I'll come by later today and see how he is doing"
While Ichini was healing, Aizawa had spoken to Nedzu and looked at the quirk registry, but found nothing when looking for a kid name Ichini with an air quirk. After classes had finished, Nedzu and Aizawa went to the infirmary, the principal was the latter's' scarf. They were talking quietly with Shuzenji when the boy in the bed begun to stir awake. The three turned their attention towards him, watching as tried pushing himself up into a sitting position before he himself could even register that he was awake.
Nedzu let himself down from Aizawa's shoulders and stood on the end of the bed while Aizawa tried pushing Ichini back down into laying. Ichini placed one of his hands on Aizawa's, trying to pull himself up using the teacher and hero's arm.
"Greetings young Ichini. I am U.A's Principal! You may call me Nedzu. Are you awake?" Nedzu introduced himself, in his ever-cheerful voice.
"I think so" Ichini responded. Nedzu laughed.
"I would like to ask you a few questions, if that's alright?"
Ichini looked slightly unsure before nodding. Shuzenji sat ready to take notes and Aizawa sat by the bed while Nedzu stood on the bed and the boy himself, uncomfortable with all of the attention, sat slightly hunched over.
"What is your family name?" the Principal started.
"I don't know" Ichini responded – clearly but quietly. Nedzu hummed.
"Where have you been living?"
"On the streets; I think for about 3 years."
"What do you do and how do you get food?"
"I help people, I give them directions or return dropped items. Not a lot of people like that though." Ichini was wringing his hands. "A lot of food places throw out boxes of good food"
The adults looked at each other briefly. Nedzu continued.
"Have you ever been to school?"
"No" he paused briefly. Not in this life. "I've taught myself what I know"
Nedzu hummed again, seeming to have come to a decision. "Would you like stay here tonight and tomorrow we can test what you know?" The principal and Aizawa had discussed this earlier. Picking at his finger, Ichini gave it a thought. The sooner he did what they wanted him to do, the sooner he got to leave, right? As much as living rough was well... rough, he felt like they were pitying him and he didn't want that. So, he gazed up at the creature that was the principal, who was smiling at him and nodded.
"I'll get all of that sorted and I will see you tomorrow! Have a good evening Ichini-san" Nedzu said his farewells. He could see the kid get nervous. He wanted to gain his trust so he could provide the care he deserved. He was soon out of the infirmary and on his way to office to make up a test packet.
Recovery girl checked Ichini's wounds and was happy with how they were healing, but not happy with how he got them. It was pretty much decided straight away that he wouldn't be left alone. It was silent, Ichini was casting glances around the room while Aizawa dozed in the chair next to him and Shuzenji was making herself busy with paperwork.
There was an empty cup and a pitcher full of water on the table. Ichini had been eyeing it for a few minutes before he investigated further and picked up the cup to look closer, and when he decided it was placed there for him, he poured himself a glass. Aizawa opened one eye and watched him. He held the cup carefully; he was still curled up while sitting and had a few mouthfuls.
There was soon a knock at the door and Aizawa got up and let two people in. He grumbled something that sounded like 'be quiet' towards them before letting them enter the room further. He had asked two of his co-workers to help with a favor and they had come to get more info.
They boy on the bed was playing with his hands when Aizawa grabbed his attention to introduce everyone.
"This is Ichini. Ichini, this is Midnight and Present Mic. They're both pro heroes. I've asked them to grab a few things for you, if you want anything in particular, let them know" Aizawa quickly introduced before sitting back in the chair. Ichini swallowed before moving some hair out of his eyes.
"Hello" greeted Ichini. It was simple. What else was he supposed to say?
"Hey there little listener" Present Mic said in his quietest voice ever, which wasn't very quiet.
"It's nice to meet you, Ichini" Midnight started. "Mic and I wanted to see if you wanted anything. Eraserhead thought it would be nice to have some new clothes."
"You don't have to." Ichini mumbled. Aizawa sat forward.
"You can't walk around without a shirt -" Aizawa saw the boy open his mouth to protest and continued. "You can't go around wearing a torn and dirty shirt either" Ichini huffed in response which made Midnight and Present Mic smile a little in amusement.
Ichini rubbed at his eyes. With a sigh he spoke up. "I don't know. Something simple? Another long sleeve shirt, I guess. I can't carry much with me on the streets." He was picking at his fingers again, making them red. He was startled when Midnight put her hand on his arm, making him look up. It was the first time Midnight and Present Mic had a good look at his face, and he noticed Recovery Girl and Eraserhead were all staring at him.
Did this kid really think he'd be dropped off on a random street corner and left to fend for himself?
"You're not going back to living on the streets" Midnight spoke with shock in her voice.
"I've been fine on my own" he started only to be interrupted by Mic.
"That doesn't make it right. A little guy like you should have somewhere safe to be" Mic finished that sentence louder than he had started. Ichini shrunk into himself, his eyes flickering in color. Slightly red, slightly orange than back to grey. Everyone noticed.
"I'm not going to live with a stranger. I'll be fine" Ichini responded, sounding less than enthused. "That's good. You'll be living with me, not a stranger" Aizawa spoke.
Ichini's head turned fast, he put his hand out behind him to lean on. His eyes turned dark, although not in emotion nor intent. The very color turned black. His other hand went to grasp his shirt which he wasn't wearing. "Why?" was all he was able to say.
"I was the one who found you on the street. I work with kids and help train their quirks, I also have a spare bedroom that I am happy for you to move into, instead of living rough." Aizawa responded, his reasons clear. He was a hero that would not let a child fall through the cracks. He also thought the boy was a bit like a cat.
Ichini didn't know how to respond or what to say. He grabbed the thin blanket, pulled it up and rolled onto his side, facing away from everyone.
"I think you broke him" Present Mic broke the silence. Aizawa sighed, telling them to grab essentials, like a suitable range of clothing, toiletries and maybe a soft toy or two. They left, and Aizawa and Shuzenji looked at each other. The former looked at the time and let Shuzenji that he would be back with some food shortly.
Ichini was lost. Many of his past lives were telling him to be happy, others were content to let him figure it out by himself, and one or two disagreed with what was going on, but that they'd be there to help him when needed. His eyes changed color rapidly, to represent each voice and life. It was only subtle though. His thoughts were powerful, trying to process what essentially be a new life. The reincarnations helped with info from their world and time every now and again, but one was pushing forward with the information of his world. He would talk to them later though. He was able to read, speak and write Japanese and English thanks to more than 1/3 of his past.
Around 15 minutes later Aizawa had returned with a few snacks, and a bowl of something that resembled a meal. Ichini had not moved since he left. Placing down the food items on the table, he went around the bed and crouched down so he could see Ichini's face. He watched for a few seconds as his eye colors ebbed and flowed between grey and hazel, with a few flickers of blue.
"Ichini" he watched as the hazel shrunk back, before slowly returning. "Ichini" the hazel seemed to leave grey behind, before quickly making a comeback before backing off completely when Aizawa called for Ichini's attention one more time. His eyes focused on Aizawa. The hero stood and moved the table closer so the kid could see what was on it. Ichini sat up and rubbed his eyes.