436 days since the last update, yikes. Since then I've started college and boy has it been tough, but regardless you should know that I'm a very lazy individual that's trying to re-discover her writing style. So sorry for the unnecessary hiatus and any spelling errors. Anyways, here you are. - Skittles

•••

In the U.A. Infirmary, the warm light of the setting sun seeped into the room and over the sleeping figure of the youngest Todoroki. Her eyelids twitched before slowly opening. Scanning the room and finding it empty, she attempted to prop up on her elbows before hissing in pain.

"What happened..." She trailed off, recalling the events from earlier today. She reached up, her fingers tracing the bandages wrapped around her temple. She lifted her shirt, revealing the blood-soaked wrappings around her torso. "The Nomu... was real..."

The door opened, making her quickly sit up. She quickly inhaled to attack, but could only release a series of coughs instead of gunpowder. Recovery girl peeked in, alarmed. "Oh!" She ran inside, a cup of water in hand. She passed it to Shira, then pulled out her stethoscope and sat it over Shira's chest. "Your lung is healing nicely, but no using your quirk! Unless you want it to collapse again, that is!"

Shira sat the now empty cup down beside her, before glancing at the Pro-Hero. "What happened? Where is everyone? Last I remember, All Might was fighting that Nomu... did he win?"

Recovery girl internally sighed in relief that she didn't remember All Might transforming. That's one secret that they weren't yet ready to share with another person.

"You and your class got attacked by villains." Shira stilled. "Majority of your classmates were unharmed, the only injured were you, Midoriya, Eraser head, and All Might. But you took a real good beating, dear." She informed, slipping on gloves. She told Shira to hold up her shirt as she changed her bandages.

Shira bit her lip, glancing out of the window. She saw a few students leaving campus and walking home. "How bad are my injuries? Do I... have any permanent damage?" She asked, recalling how the Nomu slammed her. It felt like every bone in her body had shattered on impact. She winced at the memory, instead focusing on Recovery Girl's movements.

"You have a collapsed lung and two broken ribs. I assume the collapsed lung was from overexertion of your quirk, and according to your classmate Midoriya, you got slammed into the ground. It's a miracle that broken ribs are the only injuries you sustained, sweetie." She finished with the bandages, throwing away the old ones. "Your head should be healed but I'd prefer you kept the bandage on until tomorrow. I estimate that, with the help of my quirk, you'll be fully healed in two days."

Shira released her shirt, laying back down. "How long have I been unconscious?"

"About 4 hours."

"Hmm," She looked back towards the window, staring at herself through the reflection. She couldn't understand what that villain meant when he separated her from the others. Was she a target? But what could she possibly be a target for? The only explanation she could come up with was the fact that she was the child of Endeavor. But even then, Shoto is the only one of the two of them that Endeavor ever claimed to the media. Her existence never left his lips. If villains wanted leverage against him, wouldn't Shoto be the smarter choice?

She thought of the blue-haired villain Tomura, his glare imprinted in her mind. His flesh burning, him writhing in pain, red eyes staring into her soul even after he disappeared into the portal.

As Kurogiri slowly pulled Shigaraki inside the portal, Shigaraki locked eyes with All Might. "I will kill you..." He then drifted his eyes on Shira, eyes narrowing. "The both of you!" He yelled, making Shira look up weakly. Her eyes widened at the sight of his burning flesh, darkened and dripping with blood. He held her gaze until he could no longer be seen, and Kurogiri disappeared.

That was the first time Shira had ever used her quirk on a living being. Ever. Even at her lowest ... she never thought of using her quirk to harm another because she KNEW that the effects would be severe. She knew her quirk wasn't meant for combat, and the thought of a man, even a villain, dying from her actions almost made her as sick as the smell of Tomura's burnt flesh.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts yet again. Before Recovery Girl could open the door, it burst open, just barely missing the poor woman's face. "Goodness!"

Mina and Kirishima looked at Bakugo in shock while Shoto passed the 3 of them and walked straight towards Shira's bed. "Bakubro!" Kirishima said in shock, hand still up from knocking. "Was it really that serious?!"

Mina quickly apologized to Recovery girl on his behalf, before running up to Shira's bed herself, tears falling dramatically. "Shira!" She cried, throwing her arms around the snowy-haired girl's frame. "I was so worried!" Shira tried to hide her pain, but an extra tight squeeze from Mina gave it away. Bakugo stomped over, grabbing Mina by the back of her shirt and dragging her off of Shira.

"CAN'T YA SEE SHE'S IN PAIN, RACCOON EYES?!"

"OH SHIRA!" Mina continued to wail, ignoring Bakugo's yelling. Kirishima sighed, diffusing the situation as Recovery girl started threatening to kick them out for the noise. Shira smiled, sitting up. She felt a hand on her back to help her and looked over to see her twin. She smiled, but only got a deep frown back in return. 2

"..Sho-chan?" She said softly. He avoided her gaze, instead looking out of the window. She reached out to touch his arm, but hissed from the strain. Shoto sighed, grabbing her hand and softly sitting it on her lap. She quickly grabbed his hand before he could pull it back, holding it tightly. "Shoto, what's wrong?"

He sighed, running his free hand down his face. "I just ...keep failing at protecting you." He admitted. Shira deflated at the confession. "I couldn't protect you against Father... I couldn't protect you against those villains... or Mother-"

"Sho-chan." She cut him off, staring at him steely. "I don't need you to protect me. I know I'm not the strongest... I may even be the weakest.. but I don't need you to protect me. We aren't little kids anymore. I have to get stronger on my own, and the only thing I need you to do is support me along the way. Dad... kept us separated for so long. I want us to focus on getting stronger, together now."

Shoto stared back at her. For a moment, he saw her as her 5-year-old self, crying and clutching onto him in Fuyumi in fear. His voice got caught in his throat.

"W-W-Why me, Sho-chan?" She hiccuped in despair, wiping at her eyes to no avail. Her throat was burning as she breathed raggedly. "W-Why does Daddy h-hate me now? I-I didn't try to be this w-way!" She wailed, as Fuyumi's arms held on to her tighter. "You said he wouldn't be mad Sho- chan! Y-You promised!"

The memory faded, and in its place was his sister staring at him, eyes full of determination. Her eyes were still brimmed with tears, but instead of fear they were from happiness. Her once long silky hair that made all the girls in preschool jealous was now short and choppy, half hidden underneath the wrapping on her head. He could see the changes and similarities, and it made him wonder if she could see his as well.

He squeezed her hand, looking back out of the window. Shira could see the ghost of a smile on his features.

"You still haven't changed."

Shira gave a big eye smile. "Neither have you, Sho-chan."

Kirishima and Mina came over shortly, catching her up on everything that happened. Shira apologized to Kirishima for leaving him after he saved her and he dismissed her worry with a wave. "You did the manly thing." He said, making her sweat drop. Bakugo stayed by the door, propped against the wall as they all talked. Shira glanced at him, but he only averted his gaze.

After a couple more minutes, Recovery Girl walked over, informing them that it was time for them to go and that Shira could go home. Shoto told her he would walk her home, before walking out of the room, Kirishima and Mina following after saying their goodbyes. Before Bakugo could walk out, Shira called out to him, stopping him in his tracks.

"What?" He said in annoyance, his back facing her. Shira slowly put her legs on one side of the bed facing Bakugo.

"Thanks-," she grunted, standing up. Bakugo peeped over his shoulder to see what she was doing, but averted his gaze immediately afterwards. "Thanks for looking out for everyone earlier, but next time how about not diving head first into danger?"

Bakugo whipped around, vien throbbing from his forehead. Shira ignored this, slipping on her shoes. "You got some nerve tryna lecture me, assface. You did the exact same thing, the only difference is the best doesn't end up in a hospital bed!", He seethed.

A hint of sadness flashed in Shira's heterochromatic eyes, but it was gone as soon as it came. She had no right to be upset at the truth, but the remainder of their gap in levels will always humble Shira in ways Bakugo would never understand.

She mustered up a fake smile. "I guess you're right. I just didn't want anyone to get hurt, you know?" She slowly walked towards the door, passing Bakugo. He took the chance to sweep her bodily injury's extent. The tiny cuts and bruises were already gone, no doubt due to Recovery Girl's quirk. Her hair was crusted over on one side with dried blood, but her face had been cleansed off. She still had the same bloodied clothes on, and was definitely in need of a hot bath after today's events.

"Tch, whatever..." Seeing her falter a bit in step, he roughly gripped her by her forearm, assisting her in walking in his way. Shira let out a pained grunt. "Well, watch your damn step then!" He yelled, while loosening his grip, but still holding on. Shira sighed at the roughness of the pyromantic, remembering that this is what she'd have to put up with for the next few years at U.A.

Once outside, Shoto approached the two of them, eyeing Bakugo's hand placement judgingly. Bakugo, noticing this, scoffed and let go, immediately walking to his home. Shira rubbed the slightly sore area, watching his figure grow smaller as he walked away. Shoto stayed silent, watching his twin until she finally averted her attention to him as well. "What?"

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Sho-chan. Just tired...", Shira sighed. Although she was out for 4 hours, the exhaustion and pain was slowly but surely starting to settle back in.

"Father's away on a Hero exposition for the rest of the week if you would like to come over..." Shoto suggested as he watched his twin's face for any sign of rejection. "If not I would completely understand."

Shira glanced at him. "Wouldn't you get in trouble for that though, Sho-chan?" She didn't know if being in that house after so long would be the right thing to do, especially after the trauma she experienced on that day, their 4th birthday. Shoto explained that all of the staff would keep it a secret for him, but Shira still wasn't convinced enough.

"But there's somewhere we can go instead..."

···

Shoto shut the door behind them as the duo entered the small house. The door creaked, but Shira didn't react so Shoto didn't either. They took their shoes off at the door, then Shira looked around the room. "I'm home!"

Almost immediately, the sound of pattering feet filled up the tiny home. The backdoor slammed open, and the next thing she knew Shira was engulfed in the softest yet most secure hug that only her grandmother could give. She hugged her Nana back, feeling the older woman's tear hit her neck.

"Oh, Shira! What have those nasty villains done to you, my snowflake?" Nana whispered, running her hand over her granddaughter's bloodied crown. "Oh my goodness! I want you out of that school, immediately!"

"Whoa!" Shira gasped, softly gripping her frantic Nana's shoulders. "Listen to me, I'm fine, I mean it! If I wasn't I wouldn't be here okay? Calm down and breathe, do you need my inhaler?" Shira joked, pulling her inhaler out of her belt. Nana sucked her teeth, softly popping the girl's hand. The older woman noticed the other presence in the room and turned to greet them.

"I'm so sorry, dear, what's your na-", She cut herself short when her eyes landed on Shoto. who was silently watching the whole exchange. He felt a twinge of jealousy in his stomach, knowing that if he walked into his estate in that condition, nobody would blink an eye. Unless of course, if his siblings just so rarely happened to be over. Nana covered her mouth with her hand, walking over to the boy. "Oh my... Shoto is that you, dear?"

Shoto stood there, internally uncomfortable because he didn't know who the hell this lady was, yet she very obviously knew of him. He was a master of not letting his emotions show through. "Yes... and who may you be?"

"Oh, sweetie!" Nana softly wrapped the twin in a hug, rubbing her hand up and down his back gently. He froze at the unfamiliar yet strangely familiar touch. It was so warm and inviting. He only got this feeling from three other people, Shira, Fuyumi, and his mother... Nana pulled back, tears gathering atop her grey lashes. "My name is Ree Himura," she smiled softly. "I'm your grandmother."

Shoto's eyes widened, taking in Nana's appearance much closer now. Besides the few wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, she truly was a carbon copy of their mother, Rei. And just like a puzzle, all the pieces began falling into place for him. "Why don't I remember you?"

Nana sighed, guiding the boy to the couch. Shira silently went upstairs to give them privacy, and to change out of her blood-stained clothes. Nana grabbed a photobook, sitting beside her grandson. "You see this book?" Shoto nodded. "I started this book when your mother was born.", She smiled, opening the first page, which was full of older, worn baby pictures.

"This...is my mother?" He asked, eyes curiously wandering over every detail of every image. Nana nodded, flipping to the next page. Shoto was fully intrigued. After their mother got admitted into the hospital several years ago, not only did he lose contact with her, but their house lost every reminder of her presence. Not a single picture of her remained, not that many were there to begin with. This was shoto's first time seeing any picture of his mother before his parent's wedding day.

As he and Nana flipped through the pages of the book and chatted here and there, he couldn't help to feel that same knot from earlier fill his stomach, but more this time. Shira had it all. She had their grandmother, the knowledge of their family history, the freedom, and no pressure on her shoulders of upholding their father's legacy. But he quickly pushed those feeling back down to where they came from. He knew it was selfish to even consider those thoughts, knowing what all Shira went to from this point and knowing that he was the more privileged of the two. Yet part of him couldn't help but wonder how much better life would've been for him if he was the one to have gotten shunned on that hellish day...

A hand landing on his shoulder shook him out of his thoughts. He looked up to Shira, wearing fresh clothes and bandages, standing over him with a soft smile. "You okay, Sho-sho?"

"Yes, I'm fine." he said nonchalantly. He glanced at the window, and stood when he saw the darkness outside. "I think it's time for me to head home, I don't want to overstay my welcome."

"You could never, dear. You're welcome whenever you'd like." Nana reassured. "Oh, wait! Before you go, let me get a picture of the two of you!" She rushed upstairs in excitement. Shira giggled, shaking her head.

"She's very picture-oriented."

"I see," Shoto said, looking at all of the framed pictures across the wall. His eyes stopped at a picture of their mother, Rei, sitting up in a hospital bed, with a baby in each of her arms. Shoto subconsciously walked closer, alerting Shira. She watched her twin walk up to the picture, and reach up to take it down so that he could see it better.

"Sorry if it's dusty, we haven't been able to clean up many of the pictures lately." Shira's voice fell on deaf ears, as Shoto brushed off the picture gently. In their mother's arms, were the two of them. Shoto with his peppermint-colored hair on the left, and Shira with her snowy hair on the left, bundled up and warm against their mother's chest. Rei was beaming in the picture, not a hint of childbirth strain on her features. There was no one else in the picture, just the three of them, in their own, perfect, world.

"I took that picture." Shoto snapped out of his thoughts yet again. He turned around to see Nana standing beside Shira with a camera in her hand. Shoto immediately went to put the picture back. "No sweetie, you can keep it. I have several more copies. I want you to have it." She reassured. "You can have as many pictures as you'd like."

Shoto hesitated, before ultimately putting it back. "Do you have a smaller version of it?" He asked quietly. Nana quickly ran upstairs and came back with a smaller, cleaner picture. Shoto nodded once, putting the picture in his pocket safely and bowing. "Thank you very much."

Nana cooed, softly pinching the boy's cheek. "You are just too cute! Go stand beside Shira so I can get this picture, dear. I don't want you getting in trouble for staying too late.." Shoto nodded, standing stiffly beside his twin. Shira glanced at him, debating her next move, before wrapping an arm around his shoulders and throwing up a peace sign with a smile. If Shoto was uncomfortable, he didn't show it at all. He smiled faintly, and Nana snapped the picture. "Perfect." Nana smiled.

As he walked out the door, Shoto bowed again, thanking Nana for her hospitality. She waved her grandson off and told him to stop by again soon. Shira bid her twin goodbye, telling him she'd see him at school tomorrow and he told her to rest well before starting his walk home.

Shoto made it home, and was greeted with silence. He slammed the door harder than usual, but still no reaction. He sighed, walking up the stairs to his bedroom. The only sound he could hear was the sound of his shoes against the wooden floor. The house was cold, quiet, and lonely. Nothing like the home he just left. He went into his room and sat on his bed, taking out the picture his Nana gave him, and stared at it for several minutes before tucking it under his mattress. He knew if his father found it, all hell would break loose.

Shoto could only be grateful that he had a few days without his father's presence around. The fatigue of today's events finally took a toll upon Shoto, and he quickly went to sleep, with hopes that tomorrow wouldn't be as stressful.

•••

More bakugo content in the next chapter, but I'm trying to go the slow-burn route so nothing too romantic. Shira's main priorities are family and being a student at the moment. But don't fret, it's in the works. I just really want to apologize for the veryyyy late update. I've started college since the last update and as a nursing major, it's been really hard to juggle it all at once so of course I kind of put this book to the side and prioritized my studies. But I never once forgot about this book and I'm going to try to at least update weekly if not bi-monthly.

Thanksa to all the readers who love this book, and special thanks to the few who reached out to me and asked if I was okay, It means so much more than you know. How are yall liking the story so far? Make sure to leave a comment and watch for new updates! Helps with my procrastination!

Until next time!

-Skittles