Soul Marked

Chapter Twenty-Four

Consequences

Hi guys! I'm so sorry this has taken so long to write. Honestly once I actually sat down it only took me three days, though that's not three days in a row.

I've recently moved, my kid had a birthday party this weekend, and I've just been too busy chasing her around to really get anything done other than housework, so again I will apologize.

I'm super excited to work on the next chapter though and will have some time to start writing tomorrow with my husband being home from work.

With that, I'd like to apologize with the fact that this chapter is a bit of a filler. It really doesn't have much going on in it except for some minor character development, and friendships, but the next chapter is when things start to speed up once again and we get more Bakugo!

The night sky seemed to grow darker as Shigaraki watched from afar, a sneer replacing the smirk on his face as Stain killed the creature that had grabbed his prize. His last finger grazed the binoculars in his rage, the material eroding and decaying away, the ash that was left drifted off in the breeze. His fingers curled toward the palm of his hand as he allowed them to drop to his side. A snarl twisted his lips as he spun around, anger coursing through his veins, and his lips pulled back over his teeth.

"Let's go," he snarled as he turned to Kurogiri, his hand sharply moving through the air in a way to tell him to hurry.

"Are these results to your satisfaction, Shigaraki Tomura?" his second in command questioned curiously.

"We'll see if some good came from this," he said, a chuckle building inside of his chest. He wasn't amused, he hadn't gotten everything he wanted, but if he was lucky, that display of the Hero Killer would give him something. "All depends on tomorrow." Kurogiri only stared at him for a moment before reactivating his quirk.

Shigaraki hesitated as he turned back toward the city, his eyes narrowed, as the sharp chuckle escaped through his mouth, the sound cold, warping the night around him. "Always getting away," he said his eyes narrowed on the area that Midoriya Izuka had been standing on. "Should have just grabbed you when I had the chance." With a shake of his head, he turned, taking a step forward, allowing the portal to swallow him up.

子猫

The next day Izuka sat on her bed at the hospital, her body turned to face the two boys who also resided inside the room. Iida had both of his arms in a sling, crossed in front of his chest as he sat on his own bed, his feet crossed, across from Todoroki. Shoto who sat in the bed next to her had his arm bandaged up but free from a sling. His legs were off the side of the bed, facing toward Midoriya who was leaning back into hers, bandages on her right arm and left leg. Bruises littered all of their bodies causing them to look much worse than they felt.

"How are you feeling, Midoriya?" Todoroki asked her, his face set in worrying lines as she once again winced. She had been the one hit the most, covering for her companions, and in doing so was more bruised. A soft smile filled her face as she nodded her head toward him.

"Don't worry," she said as she shifted in her spot. "I feel fine, for the most part."

"I'm sorry," Iida said as his eyes flashed over toward her. He was still feeling guilty for bringing them into the fight. She waved him off, trying to show that she wasn't worried about it.

"Truly, it's alright, Iida," she said as the door to their room swung open. Iida and Todoroki glanced confusedly at the skinny man that entered, neither of them recognizing who he was. His blonde hair fell into his face, but it didn't hide the look of disappointment that resided heavily on his features. Midoriya, the only one that did recognize him, felt her eyes widen before her heart quickened. She knew why he was there, he hadn't made it to talk to her last night, and she was sure it would be a lecture about what she had done wrong. It would be worse than the rant that Gran Torino had left her with, she just knew it.

"Are you lost, sir?" Todoroki asked, not comfortable with a stranger in their room. Toshi continued his stride over to Izuka's bed, ignoring Todoroki completely. This caused the boy to frown as he sent a concerned look in Izuka's direction. Toshi's blue eyes were filled with the emotion of disappointment and irritation as Izuka bowed her head not baring to look at him.

"Izuka," he said sternly, his voice flat, and without the usual cheerfulness, it held when speaking to her. He stalked to the edge of her bed where he came to a stop, the grimace he sported bared into her soul.

"Hello, Toshi," she said unsurely. The blonde male took in her battered form revealing another emotion other than disappointment, worry. His eyes flickered over to the two boys who also occupied the room and sighed, knowing he couldn't actually say anything in front of them. Not as Toshinori at least.

"When do you get released, Midoriya?" The small girl felt relieved that it didn't seem like he would be giving her a lecture in front of her classmates, something she was sure was due to the fact no one could know he was All Might.

"The doctor said we would all be released tomorrow sometime," she said softly. Her eyes darted over to the other boys who shared the room with her. Both looked curiously between the two, Todoroki bordering on suspicion.

"Meet me the evening you return back home at our usual place," he told her, his eyes only showing disappointment and a flash of relief. However, his words told her he wouldn't be staying the rest of the internship with her and Gran Torino. She was disappointed and curious as to why he wouldn't be but knew to ask that later. He nodded to the boys before moving away, back toward the door. Iida and Todoroki turned to face Midoriya as soon as the door closed.

"Who was that?" Todoroki asked, that hint of doubt still lighting his voice.

"He's my mentor," Izuka said without really thinking about it. She couldn't tell the complete truth, but All Might was her mentor. She could say anything else as long as it didn't give away his secret. "He helped me train to get into U.A., without his help I never would have made it.

"He seemed upset," Iida said, joining in on the conversation.

"Well, I broke my promise of listening to All Might, and Gran Torino," she said with a small smile. "I just couldn't let a friend be by himself in a time of need." Iida bowed his head, his cheeks growing red with disappointment in himself, and embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, Midoriya," he said. "I shouldn't have gone looking for him." Izuka sent a big smile his way as she tried to comfort him.

"Everything turned out fine in the end. Everyone survived, and we got the guy."

"Thank you as well, Todoroki," Iida said, his eyes flashing up to look at the other person in the room. Shoto nodded at him, accepting the apology. As Midoriya opened her mouth to speak once more she closed it due to their door opening, and in stepped three people. Izuka could feel herself sweat drop at the sight of Gran Torino, wondering if he was back to lecture her once more. Behind him came in the Hero, Manual, and behind him a man that looked to be half dog. Her eyes widened wondering what was about to happen.

"Ah, it seems the hurt locker is already awake," Gran Torino said, his eyes pinned to her. "Unbelievable, I wanted to grumble a bit more, but you've got a visitor." Midoriya glanced between her sensei and the new man that had entered.

"Who?" she asked gazing curiously between the two.

Iida and Todoroki slid from their beds quickly as Izuka slowly pushed herself to her feet. Automatically Todoroki, who had been closer, moved to grip her arm and help.

"The Chief of the Hosu Police precinct," Gran Torino began, as he introduced them. "Tsuragamae Kenji." At his introduction Izuka couldn't help but shake, just knowing they were going to be getting into trouble for what they did. Why else would a Chief of Police be visiting them?

"Don't worry," Tsuragamae said as he lifted his hand up. "You may remain seated, I know things have been quite ruff for you." The use of the word ruff almost had Izuka falling over as she felt her eyes growing wider. Behind her she could almost feel Iida and Todoroki growing stiff at the mention of who he was, they too believing they would be in trouble. "So you're the ones who put a stop to the Hero Killer! Sure are Yuuei kids, and regarding the Hero Killer, I thought you would like to know that he's sustained several burns, bone fractures, and other serious injuries, and is currently undergoing treatment for them."

As the Chief took a moment to breath in-between his next words she could tell they were about to receive a lecture. It was in the way he paused, his stance changing as he came down to business and the look of finding the right words. His facial expressions tensed as his eyes seemed to darken.

"Since the dawning of the protocol the police have emphasized leadership and protocol," he began, only causing the girl to realize how right she was. "And made it a point not to wield the quirks of individuals as weapons. Than heroes rose up to fill that gap, becoming a profession of equal validity. Of course such individual weaponization… is a force that can cause injury very easily. So the reason that the public can fully recognize such a prospect that, normally, would face due censure is that their forebears adhered strictly to rules and morals, and the like." He stopped to stare into each of their eyes before he drew back his head, and a less intense tone took over.

"On the other paw, those who aren't qualified yet might harm others through the use of their quirks without the direction of their guardians or supervisors. Even if the opponent were, say, the Hero Killer himself, this is nevertheless a top caliber violation of the rules. You three pups, and all the pro heroes, which is to say Endeavor, Manual, Gran Torino, All Might- you six must be handed down an adequately impartial punishment."

Midoriya froze at the word, punishment, something she knew was coming but it didn't make things any easier to deal with. All the worst-case scenarios were playing throughout her mind as he continued to speak. That was until Izuka was surprised by the sound of a new voice, raising over the Chief to be heard.

"Wait, hold on, sir," Todoroki said, causing the girl and Iida to face him in surprise. "If it hadn't been for Iida, the Pro Hero, Native, would have been killed. The same could be said when Midoriya arrived, they would have both been killed. No one realized that the Hero Killer was even there yet. So by your words, you are saying, that we should have just followed the rules and allowed for the others to die!"

Izuka quickly stepped forward, her frame shaking as she reached out toward Todoroki, her only aim to make him be quiet. She could see the Chief pull himself to full height as he opened his mouth. Todoroki caught her hand and gripped it, stopping her from covering his mouth.

"So if the end results turn out good, then we should just fudge the rules, is that it?" the Chief's voice began to rise right along with Todoroki. The heterochromia eyed male still held tightly to Midoriya's hand as he struggled for the words that formed in his mind.

"Saving-saving people is what heroes do!" he yelled out once more. Izuka began to grow red as she just knew this would be the end of them now. It wasn't until the Chief spoke once more that she found herself calming just slightly.

"Good grief, this is why they call you 'eggs', your education for Yuuei- and from Endeavor- is hatching well." Midoriya could feel the exhaustion began to take place as her emotions were running wild, but her injuries were crying to be felt once more. With shaking legs she stumbled backward as Todoroki pushed forward closer to the Chief. His eyes flashing down toward the smaller girl only for a moment as he gently pushed her down onto the bed she once was laying in. Then he began to march toward the dog-man, his eyes ablaze.

"You damn mutt!" he began to yell only to have Iida grab him this time.

"Stop," Iida began. "He has a point." Gran Torino took a step forward as he held out his hand in a calming manner.

"Just listen to what he has to say, kids," he said as his eyes darted over to the exhausted looking girl.

"That was my opinion as to the police," the Chief began once more as he raised his hand up to rest under his chin in a thoughtful manner. "At the end of the day, punishment, or what have you, is only merited upon official disclosure. A public announcement would invite praise from the public and admiration, and with it a necessary punishment. If I were to fail to go to the public then it would be concluded from the Hero Killers burns that Endeavor was the man of merit who took him down, and back up that version of events. Fortunately, the number of witnesses were limited, what I'm saying is that we can bury your violation like a bone in the backyard. However, this means that no one can know of your dogged decisions and fetching feats! So which will it be?" His thumb came up as he gave them a wide dog smile. "Personally I don't want anyone barking at you for such a glorious 'misstep' especially since you youngsters have a promising road ahead of you!"

Midoriya listened as Manual spoke to Iida, her own eyes falling to Gran Torino who raised an eyebrow at her. She sent a small apologetic smile his way, but if she knew the old man she wouldn't be getting away from this easily.

Midoriya leaned heavily against the side of her bed but bowed with the other two as they faced the Chief of Police and accepted his conditions.

"Thank you sir!" they said together. Falling back down to the bed she frowned and only hoped the pain in her leg would get more bearable.

"Through the cheats of grown-ups, the calls of praise you should have received are no more, but at the very least, I, as a fellow human who keeps the peace, give you my thanks." As they had done for him, he bowed toward the three students in return. As Midoriya watched them prepare to leave she realized the bullet that they had dodged.

If this man hadn't kindly decided to not tell the whole truth they would have had to face the consequences of their actions. It could have cost them their careers as Pro Heroes, but even with their punishment not being given, Midoriya was sure that this was a punishment in its own form.

That day's events, having gone unnoticed, would gnaw at them all.

子猫

Darkness swirled dangerously around her, the shadows dipping in and out, but never touching her. She could feel the fear swallowing her hole as she struggled to make her legs work. No matter how hard she pushed herself her legs refused to move. Around her the shadows began to move more frenzied, the air became more suffocating as a sense of dread hung heavily in the air.

Out from the shadows, a figure began to form, a familiar terrifying silhouette that Izuka was sure she would never forget. The shadow began to solidify, features sharpening, revealing light blue hair, chapped lips, and deranged red eyes. His hands rose up to scratch insistently at his neck as his cracked lips pulled back into a snarling smile. Striding toward the girl Izuka found herself desperately trying to step back, but as before her feet were rooted in place.

"Mm, mm, mm," he cackled as he took each slow step closer. "You escaped again, but you know that you won't always be this lucky. I'll get you eventually, because all it takes is one mistake, one misstep on your part, on your friends, and I'll have you." A peal high pitched laughter pierced the air before the sound morphed growing quiet, twisting into the heart clenching blood lust she had felt earlier that night. The shadow that once formed Shigaraki dispersed, moving in a crazed way as the blood lust intensified.

Izuka began to shake, her knees wanting to give out, but the same reason she couldn't run away also kept her from falling down. It rooted her to the spot as the feeling of killing intent surrounded her, swirling dangerously around. Her breath had caught in her throat just like before. Tears sprang into her eyes at the lack of oxygen.

The shadows that had moved so violently around the empty space curled around one another, forming yet another figure, this one taller, and fuller, than the man from before. With the formation the killer intent did not disburse, instead growing stronger than before. Her lungs began to scream for a reprieve as they ached, her mouth opening and closing uselessly. The only movement allowed was the uncontrollable shaking of her limbs.

"I'll purge those unworthy from this world," came the cold voice of the Hero Killer. His white eyes glowed through the shadows that surrounded him, shifting aimlessly and restlessly. Izuka shook as her eyes roamed up to meet his own gaze as he continued to talk. "The scum shall be brought to their knees, and given their due punishment." The killing intent spiked to a whole new level, the shaking in Izuka's knees intensified, and finally the hold that had been keeping her from moving broke. Her knees buckled as she fell to the ground, but it had disappeared out from underneath her.

The scream broke through her throat as she fell down, down, down.

Izuka woke up in a cold sweat, the scream having been caught in her throat, the only sound escaping being a strangled gurgling noise. Sweat had pooled at her brow, she pulled herself into a sitting position, her eyes darting around the room for the shadowy figures, but with them, the killing intent was also gone. A sigh hissed from between her teeth as her emerald gaze darted around the room to see if she had woken one of her roommates.

Green clashed with turquoise and grey, gazing at her curiously as he eyed her disheveled appearance. Izuka's eyes darted over to where Iida slept in the bed across from them, wondering if she had woken him too.

"He's asleep still," Todoroki spoke softly. His eyes still gazing intensely at her. Izuka flushed under his gaze, not believing she had woken someone up due to her nightmares. No one had known about them before, and now, Todoroki, someone she barely talked to before last night did.

"I'm sorry for waking you," she said in embarrassment.

"You were moving around and muttering," Todoroki said. "Nightmare?" Her head slowly nodded in consent knowing she couldn't lie, it was painfully obvious. They both fell in silence, neither knowing what to say next. Todoroki kept glancing at her from the corner of his eyes, his curiosity growing toward the girl. Typically he found himself ignoring his classmates, only focusing on becoming a hero, but recently, ever since the Festival, he had begun to start thinking differently. Mostly due to Izuka, her efforts during their battle had opened him up, and since even helped move him forward with his life. He was visiting his mother now, his first time having been only a mere day after the festival.

Then what Momo had said to him, he knew a change had to be made. That he couldn't keep up going the way he was.

"Yes," Izuka spoke barely above a whisper. Fear, and embarrassment, kept her from speaking of her dreams. She couldn't believe that the one incident with Shigaraki would have caused so much fear to rise up within herself, the nightmares, her low tolerance for being touched on her neck, had all stemmed from that one moment. Part of her felt weak for acting this way, the other part knowing that it was only natural for her to be reacting in such a way. It hadn't made it any easier to deal with, but she was trying to cope. Now she had to also deal with the fight with the Hero Killer. He hadn't scared her as much as that feeling he surrounded her with right before he fell unconscious did. It obviously only fueled her nightmares already endless ammunition for torture, but speaking to Todoroki about her problems hadn't been a conscious decision.

Not until it all began to spill out.

"I've been having them since the USJ incident," she began, the words slipping out without thought. "They never seem to go away, but I had thought I gained some kind of control over them." As the words broke through the damn she had hidden them behind, an emotion crept up on her, causing more words to want to spill from her lips. She had to consciously force herself to quit speaking, and then quite literally place a hand over her mouth to keep any others from being uttered. Her eyes were wide in shock at having said anything.

This wasn't something she had ever even mentioned to Kacchan, like she maybe should have, especially with the two of them trying to get at a good place. It wasn't even something she liked talking to Toshi about, a subject that in the past, having ever been approached was quickly smoothed over and pushed to the side. But here, now, after having recently just lived one, she found the need to talk to someone about them. That emotion she had felt while talking hadn't been one of relief, but rather her just thankful she had finally opened up and just told someone. It was no longer just weighing heavily down upon herself, and in the back of her mind, she wished she had just spoken a little more to Toshi. Those two sentences felt good to just say, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to say anything more on the subject which is probably why she hadn't said anything to anyone else before.

Izuka was just hoping Todoroki would just drop it and go back to sleep. He had never been interested before, and she wasn't even sure what she would say if he tried to press.

"I wasn't there for everything that day," Todoroki began to speak once more after another moment of silence. "I came near the end and all I really know is that you had been held captive by the blue-haired villain- Shigaraki. That is what you dream about?"

The green-haired girl blew out a sigh as she realized he wasn't going to drop it. It would be her luck to catch him on the night he decided to be more open with his classmates, to try to be friendly.

"Sort of," she said as she began to reposition against the mound of pillows, her hand coming up to tug at her curls. She grew silent as her lips pursed and her eyes squinted. Todoroki sat quietly in his bed, his eyes bouncing from her back to the wall across from him, as he patiently waited for her to speak again. He knew she would, her mouth would open and close as she thought over her words. It had been surprising that she had even spoke anything to him in the beginning.

"Hmm," he said encouragingly, not quite sure why he kept pushing her about it. There had just been a flash of something in her eyes, only for a moment, but he swore there had been something lifted from her. He knew well how something you tried to keep quiet could weigh down on you. The feeling he witnessed on her face was similar to the one he felt when telling her about his past, even though at that moment he hadn't meant for it to be therapeutic.

Her eyes bounced over to him before falling back down to her lap.

"My dreams are more about my fears of him coming back, to finish what he wanted." Air rushed into her lungs as she took a deep calming breath to speak the next sentence. "The reason he was holding me was more than just keeping me hostage. Shigarakis' wishes, or goals, were- is- to turn me into the ultimate anti-symbol of Peace. He thought it poetic to twist me into the opposite of what All might is teaching us to become, and instead into his killer." That was by far more than she had been thinking of sharing, her hand fell from her curls to cover her mouth once more. "I'm sorry, that was more than I was going to say."

"I wasn't aware that was his plan, it was hard to hear what he said at times," Todoroki said, a frown forming on his face.

"A stupid split-second decision he made in the heat of the moment," she said. "I gained his attention, but I can't make myself regret the decision. It saved Kami's life."

"So, you're afraid he will come back for you."

"I'm sure he will."

"I'm sure All Might knows this, but have you talked to anyone about your nightmares?"

"Briefly, once, but since then no." Silence once again fell around them, but this time no one spoke up again. Instead they both simply just thought their own thoughts before falling asleep once more. This time no dreams interrupted her sleep.

In the morning Izuka was met with a barrage of texts from all of her friends. Every single one of them asking about her vague message from the night before. Sighing she pulled out her phone and clicked on the first name: Kami. She stepped out of the room as the number dialed, deciding she would make these calls in private.

"Hello," Kaminari answered on the third ring.

"Hey, Kami," she said in greeting.

"What was that text about last night?!" she heard his voice rise on the other end. "I know your not one to just send your location, and I told the hero I was with last night, but we weren't near Hosu." The worry lacing his voice was evident, and that fact that he cared for her made a small smile light up her face.

"I'm alright," she said calmly. "Don't worry. It was an S.O.S, I ran into a bit of trouble while passing by Hosu, but everything is fine now." A sigh tore through the silence on the other side, whether one of relief or frustration she couldn't be sure.

"I'm happy you're fine, and that I did report it, but dang Iz-chan. You're constantly finding trouble."

"Eh," Izuka said with a small uncomfortable laugh. "Well-" She coughed awkwardly not sure how to answer that.

"Have you called Momo, yet? She contacted me last night wondering if I knew anything." Ease flooded her system as she reached up to tug once more at her curls, a habit she couldn't cut in cases like this.

"No, I planned on calling her next." She could hear a voice cut between their conversation, Kaminari responded before he spoke up to her again.

"Good," he said quickly, his voice changing and she knew it was probably the Pro Hero he was interning with. The noise of the hospital intercom blared from the speaker she happened to be passing, and she winced at the noise but had missed what her friend had said.

"What?" she asked, knowing he was probably telling her he had to go but wanted to be sure. "I couldn't hear you." There was a moment's hesitation before a tsk full of worry, and irritation could be heard.

"Where are you, Iz?" he asked suspiciously. Izuka winced having hoped she could keep that little part a secret. She hated worrying her friends, or anyone for that matter.

"At the hospital here in Hosu." Another tsk followed by a sigh as she could almost see him pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You weren't going to tell me!" his voice rose with the disbelief he was feeling. Another voice could be heard calling out to him again. "Ugh, we'll talk about this later, Iz-chan. I gotta go, but know your not off the hook yet!" Before she could respond the line clicked, announcing he had hung up in his rush to obey the hero. Shaking her head she knew she would be hearing more from him later, a long rant in text form would probably greet her by the end of the night, but that knowledge didn't stop her from pulling up Momo's number next.

Momo answered on the first ring. Her voice shrill piercing the line between them as she asked how she was.

"I was so worried, Izuka!" she hollered out. "You can't just send a text out like that and not respond with what it was about."

"I'm sorry, Mochan," she said apologetically. "Everything just happened so fast, and then afterward I was rushed off to the hospital, and Gran Torino had this long lecture. Everything was just in turmoil and I didn't have the chance to until now." There was a sigh on the other end.

"I can't believe in your in the hospital, but I'm just glad you're okay," she said in relief. "I bet Kaminari freaked when he heard." Izuka let out an uncomfortable laugh as Momo fell silent on the other end. Then- "You weren't going to tell him, were you!? You're going to get an earful from him, and you better be happy you told me."

"Yeah, well, I figured he would mention it to you."

"Have you informed the person you Marked on yet?" Izuka allowed the hand that tugged at her arm to drop to her wrist. Now it began to slowly rub at the Mark that was tattooed across the skin. She had never told Momo who it was, as it wasn't something she could just say in any conversation, but Momo was aware she had done it.

"He already knows," she said in a more quiet voice. It was painfully obvious what was in store for her from Kacchan. "He arrived at the end after I had already been saved." If only her friends knew that she had done the saving, Todoroki, Iida, and herself. Kacchan may never know the actual truth of what happened due to the fact that she wasn't allowed to speak of it, and that only made it harder for herself. He wouldn't be happy with the obvious lies, he had been there after all, and would only leave frustrated at her lack of answers.

"Hmm, so that leaves someone who is in our class, and was in Hosu that night," Momo said having derailed from the current topic too instead try to figure out who her Soulmate was.

"Momo!" Izuka called out loudly making the girl laugh.

"Alright, I'll stop, but seriously I'm glad I'm not in your spot. I'm sure that conversation won't be easy." Izuka hummed in agreement, it only made it worse with who would be on the other end of that conversation.

They talked for a few more minutes before hanging up, Izuka deciding to only reply to everyone else by text. Her eyes stopping on the text unopened from Kacchan. It was a simple, 'what' but she was sure it had irritated him for it to go unanswered for days. Her fingers brushed against the screen as she tried to figure out if she even wanted to send him a text in reply. Whether or not it was even a good idea.

"Sorry."- Koneko

It was simple but she was sure it would go unanswered until they both returned back to school. It would only be a matter of when, not if, he would corner her to talk after they arrived back in town.

子猫

A man leaned back leisurely in his seat as he twirled a gun lazily in his left hand, the man sitting across from him eyeing it each time the barrel spun past him. A cigarette held delicately between his lips was there merely for show as the tip wasn't lit. A grin pulled at his features as he spoke interestedly about the new uproar in the media.

"Have you seen this video?" he asked as he pulled out his phone, the video in question already pulled up. As the man eyed what was being shown to him, the one holding the fun smirked as he tilted the gun toward his cigarette, lighting it with a click of his finger on the trigger. "This is the hottest video of the Hero Killer out right now. Due to this guy, the scattered delinquents are now being flocked together, toward one focus of interest. They are all gravitating toward the one group he was apparently apart of, The League of Villains. Those who are in hiding, dozens, hundreds, will be brought out into the light. I got to say it's gonna get quite interesting around here, and I got a business deal that will keep the cash rolling in."

子猫

A few days later she found herself standing in front of Gran Torino as she spoke her goodbyes. "Thank you for training me, Gran Torino," she said with a soft smile. "You've taught me so much while I was here, and I believe I'm a little stronger because of it. I at least have the base for my new move!" Torino, staring up at her, carefully eyed the girl. Spotting the small differences that she held herself in.

"Eh, other than the listening skills you used your quirk alright," he said eyeing her leg that had been the most injured during her fight. "Now, I'm not one for the drug out goodbyes. I got Taiyaki to eat after all, but you did just fine, kid. Learn to clean out your ears though! You'da think they were full of cotton with the amount you use them."

Izuka sighed at his words but a smile was visibly tugging at her lips.

"Ah, you can just come out and say it," Izuka said teasingly. "You enjoyed having me around." Torino's eyes widened as he huffed and began to turn around.

"Get out of here," he spoke gruffly but his own smile was barely grazing his features. "Making my taiyaki go cold, girl." Izuka blinked as she called out for him.

"Actually, Gran Torino," she spoke up hesitantly. "There's something I wanted to ask, but well, there was never a time to do it."

"Well, what is it?" he asked as he turned back around in her hesitation.

"It's just that, your name, and your strong, I mean you trained All Might, but your name isn't one that's widely known, if at all. I was just wondering about that, I mean there's got to be a reason, right?" Torino nodded at her question as he raised his hand to rub at his chin.

"To be honest with yah, I never felt the need to be a hero," he started, causing Izuka to stare at him in disbelief. "Once there was a goal of mine that required the free use of my quirk, and that was the only reason I even got certified, but you'll hear that story from Toshinori, so don't bother asking me." Izuka nodded at his answer, her curiosity not sated, but she could wait.

"If that's all this old man has some sweets that are waiting to be devoured."

"Of course!" she said with a smile as her grip on the straps of her bag tightened. "Don't want it to get cold, heaven forbid."

"You just get on out of here, and stop tormenting an old man." She giggled as she turned around and began to walk toward the cab they had called for her.

"See yah," she said before pausing and saying her next sentence. "Old man." He rolled his eyes, trying to force the smile off his face as he waved her off.

'The strongest hero, eh,' Torino thought to himself as he watched her leave. He eyed her in contemplation. 'In both appearance and personality, you are both nothing alike, but, but she's honestly just like you Toshinori.'

"Hey, kid!" he called out loud to her, causing Izuka to freeze.

'The man who was chosen by my sworn friend, and the woman that he chose in return.'

"Who are you!?" Izuka stared widely at him, a sigh escaping her lips in disbelief.

"I've told you my name is Midoriya Izuka." She shook her head at him. "You can't actually be senile." This last part was muttered and not heard by the older man. A fond smile covered her lips as she spoke them.

'We'll see her forward together, won't we, Toshinori?'

"No it ain't," he said giving her a look. Recognition dawned on her features as her smile broadened from a half worried one to a brilliant smile.

'Until that day where you become 'the past', one day, the praises of this kids name-.'

"Oh, yeah!" she said with laughter. "It's Ineko!"

'-will be sung as the 'Symbol of Peace', and until that day-'

Izuka swung back around and entered the cab, a smile on her face, and her heart a little lighter with the knowledge that she was another step closer toward her dream.

The sound of her phone beeping, tell her that a new message was received broke through her concentration. Curious she pulled the phone from her pocket, swiping it open to find a text from Kacchan.

Meet me tonight- Kacchan

It seemed she would have to face him earlier than expected.

Reviews:

Yeet: Hi! Sorry that it took so long for me to update but here you go! And I am currently planning on a sequel just in case but with not knowing if I'll be following the manga until near completion or if I'll be cutting off from it sooner nothing is written in stone yet.

Shiranai Atsune: I have seen you comment in the past and I'm so sorry that I never replied! It made me happy to see that you replied again :) Thanks so much for sticking with this story!

Guest: Thanks for being supportive. This chapter was way past the date I wanted to update but here it is now and I hope to have a somewhat speedy update for next time!

As for everyone else, I apologize if I didn't reply to your reviews for the last chapter as I've forgotten who all I've replied to and who I haven't, but for those who continue to read this story, thank you! You guys are true troopers and I love every single one of you! You keep me going and I'm excited to go through this story experience with you all! :)