Soul Marked

Chapter Thirty-Four

An Unpleasant Situation

Sorry that this took so long to update. I don't have any excuses other than writer's block hit me hard. This chapter was mostly planned out, all-important plot points made, and even some written out, but for whatever reason, the words just refused to come to fill in the blanks.

I hope that the contents that lie within will be enough of an apology to you guys! Personally, my favorite part of the chapter is the last scene!

Please review and tell me what you guys thought of the chapter. What part was your favorite?

Five days before rescue

Izuka had been here for two days, stuck in that box of a room, Shigaraki bringing her food, giving her warnings about needing to rest, and eating. How she had to gather her strength for what was to come. It scared her. The thought of what they had planned for her.

Whatever they had planned couldn't happen while her body was in such bad shape, but Izuka could feel the healing working through her body at a faster rate than what she knew was normal. Something had to have happened to her while she was unconscious, whatever that doctor had done to her, increased the speed at which she healed for a short period of time. Since that night Shigaraki commented on how she was looking better, and soon he would allow for her to leave the room that was her prison.

It hadn't brought her any level of comfort to hear that. The knowledge that she was just one step closer to any future plans was overwhelming.

Curled in on herself Izuka stared at her wrist. Her gaze was locked on her soul mark that was covered by the quirk suppressing cuffs. She hadn't felt anything coming from the bond since that first night. It was worrisome, and though she tried focusing on it when alone, Izuka knew she had bigger problems to deal with. Her mind raced with thoughts on how to escape but having never seen outside this room she knew better than to try anything. As long as these cuffs were on her wrists she was at a disadvantage, and though Shigaraki seemed to have some kind of infatuation with her, she wondered how much she could push before he decided she needed to be disposed of.

All things useful had an expiration date if pushed.

Her mind shoved annoying, terrifying thoughts, of how his touch lingered in her hair, on her cheeks, whenever he was within reach. The nagging doubt in the back of her mind about whether or not she could push him to the point. Would it even be worth trying to be disposed of, to see if she faired better, or to play her role all the way through until an opportunity made itself known to flee? Wouldn't either decision plan her demise? After all, she wouldn't go down without fighting.

As if thinking of his name one time too many the man in question appeared in the doorway. His trench coat brushed against the cement of the floor, dust clinging to the ends of the fabric, his hands ensembled his person. His ruby eyes watched her from behind the mask as he strode into the room, the door slamming into place, as he came to kneel down in front of her. Her breathing hitched before her pulse began to race, as he caught her in his gaze.

Weak.

It clouded her mind. Izuka never realized how weak she could feel up against an opponent. Class hadn't ever gone over how it felt to be captured, the uncertainty, and fear your mind plagued you with. How Izuka knew her chances of being rescued alive, unchanged, grew dimmer with every second she was stuck here.

A rustling of cloth gained her attention, but Izuka didn't flinch as a hand, two fingers free, nudged at her cheek. The makeshift glove kept Shigaraki's quirk from activating, leaving him free to touch her without the risk of turning her into dust. His fingers pinched the skin causing redness to overtake her cheeks. He seemed irritated. Izuka was surprised he had even left the hideout at all.

"Those Heroes," Shigaraki whispered. "Their attempts at trying to find you are annoying." His fingers stilled against her skin as he caught the interest in her emerald eyes. "We had to do some countering, lead a false trail away from here, having Toga show a glimpse of you to throw them off." The news sounded bitter on his tongue. Izuka thought he would be happy. They were after all not looking for her here, but the coldness in his eyes told her he wasn't on the same thought process.

"W-why are you upset?"

Izuka preferred staying quiet after their last major conversation. How he was able to bend her way of thinking just a tiny bit, had been uncomfortable.

Then there was the more precarious reason. Shigaraki was like a ticking time bomb. Saying one wrong thing could cause him to meltdown, and after the deteriorating of a piece of her hair, Midoriya didn't want to repeat that incident.

"It forced me to leave your side." His hands moved to cup her cheek as he seemed contemplative. "It's imperative that I stay here with you." She opened her mouth to ask what he meant by that, but he cut her off. "You look like you're in good shape, let's prove it and have you leave the room today." His grip on her cheek softened, an excitement entering his voice. I

It put Izuka on edge. Her skin itched where he touched her, but the soulmate bond seemed to lash out, before curling into itself. It caused her to feel sick. The back and forth and unsureness that she was feeling from it.

"Can I get a s-shower?" The mere thought of asking such a question made her feel uncomfortable, but it wasn't something she could ignore anymore. Blood had begun to flake off her skin, the smell of metallic bitterness hung in the air, and the way it mixed with her sweat was seriously getting gross. She had even been wearing the same clothes since getting here, it would be nice to feel clean, and hopefully into something that didn't belong to Shigaraki.

He cocked his head to the side, seemingly surprised by the request, as he eyed her. Leaning in he sniffed causing Izuka to move back against the wall.

"I suppose we could make that happen," he said, his eyes narrowing at her in distrust. "You wouldn't be able to go alone though, I don't trust you to not try to get away."

Izuka shrunk in on herself. Upset that she would have someone watching over her, but happy that she would actually be clean, Izuka kept her mouth shut, afraid if she argued he would take back allowing her.

"You're a guest here. We want you to feel comfortable, but safety measures are still needed. You understand, don't you, little mate?"

Staying silent she listened as he laughed before in one swooping motion had them both up on their feet. Her wrists being the only thing chained together, Izuka had room to stand up and walk the five or so steps of her room, before the chain that tethered her to the bed stopped her. It had allowed her to keep from having weak muscles in her legs. Not that it stopped her from wavering at the sudden motion.

Shigaraki's hand that held onto her forehead kept her from falling back down as he suddenly began to drag her toward the door. She only had a moment to brace herself, fear of what was on the other side, and a rush of adrenaline at finally knowing. Finding that it opened to a hallway didn't dissuade the emotions that were fighting around inside of her as she was dragged down it. The narrow pathway opened to what only could be described as a bar. The room she had been in was probably only meant for storage, explaining why it had been so small, but she was surprised at the knowledge that they would have a way to shower here.

Kurogiri, the user of the warp gate, their mode of transportation was who she saw at first. He was behind the bar wiping down a glass with a rag. He glanced up at their arrival, not surprised in the least of seeing them, while the few others that were in the room began to talk louder.

"What's she doing here?" came the question of a masked man. "Put her back!"

"Oh!" came a high-pitched giggle. "You finally let her out to play!" The girl darted from her seat to stand directly in front of Izuka, a wide smile forming on her face, as she reached out to touch her. Midoriya jerked back away from her, knowing her quirk had something to do with blood, but not wanting to be handled by another person who didn't seem to know what personal boundaries were. She knew even less about this girl than of Shigaraki, and that made her uneasy. Without meaning to she subconsciously took a step closer to the decay user.

"You think that's for the best?" came a deeper voice, one that she knew belonged to the fire user. "Should keep her locked up until she's ready. Less of a chance memorizing the layout of this place." Though he spoke of caution his voice led her to believe he meant none of it.

His icy gaze settled into her own as she glanced around her meat shield. Her body froze as a sense of familiarity took over her mind. His eyes reminded her of something but before she could analyze that any closer Shigaraki jerked her back. In her curiosity, she had begun to move out from behind him. The man gripping her tightly seemed to prefer her behind him as he pulled her flush up against his side. She squeaked at the sudden intrusion, the noise flying from her mouth in surprise before her body stiffened.

"I'm the boss here," he said, his voice sounding annoyed at being questioned, as his grip tightened around where it had moved to her waist. "Toga I need you to take her to clean up. Then return her to me."

"We're going to have so much fun!" the girl squealed. Izuka tried to take a step back away from her again thinking that her enthusiasm over a mere shower was a bit too much, but Shigaraki's grip on her kept her from doing so.

"No harm is to come to her. I don't need her health pushing back my plans any more than it already has." Toga saluted him before reaching out to grab at her.

Frowning Shigaraki pulled her back from the girl's outstretched hands as he glared.

"I'll keep my hands to myself!" Toga promised.

Doubt began to cloud Izuka's mind. Wondering if a shower was really worth it if she was going to be handed over to this unknown, overly excited, villain. Shigaraki seemed to be second-guessing it as well before he pushed her over to Toga. Her legs tripped over each other as her body crashed into Toga's.

"We're going to be the best of friends!" She wrapped an arm around Izuka before beginning to pull her back off in a new direction. The girl began to ramble off, Izuka not being able to keep up as her mind whirled, wondering if this is how others feel when she got this way.

Something told her there was a little less fear involved.

The showering experience hadn't been much better in Izuka's opinion. The girl had strict orders not to take off her suppressants, so she was forced to work around them. Toga kept her back turned, but Izuka could read her body language, even with the constant chatter she was listening to, ready to stop her at a moment's notice. There was no way she could escape even if she was alone.

The room held no windows, only holding stalls for the three showers and toilets. It brought her only the tiniest amount of privacy as she hadn't been allowed to pull back the curtain to hide. They really didn't trust her not to try to pull something. Even if Izuka had a plan, which she didn't, she would have had to take care of the cuffs, and they looked solid. Without her quirk, it would be nearly impossible to break.

If Izuka concentrated hard enough the sound of the showers running water covered Toga's speech on how cute, and disappointed she had been that she hadn't gotten more of Uraraka's blood. The rambling on such a subject with a person as good as Uraraka made Izuka uncomfortable, but she didn't speak up, knowing that it would only cause the girl to get defensive or worse feel the need to try to sway Izuka. No, it was better to just let Toga get it out of her system, to move naturally toward a new topic, as she seemed to fly through them. According to Toga, she had a lot to talk about in a small amount of time. Shigaraki didn't like to share, and the girl thought he was being childish for wanting to keep Izuka all to himself.

"I'm just so excited to get another girl around here!" Toga crowed. "Magne and I have felt it was about time, and you're just so cute! Shiggy couldn't have picked a better person." Toga's voice cut off, the sound of a door opening ripped through the air.

Izuka's body froze, stiffening as fear, cold as ice, flooded through her veins. She was in the worst position to be walked in on, her only saving grace was that the wall to her left kept anyone from seeing anything other than her lower legs. If they walked further in toward the toilets though, she wouldn't have a chance of going unnoticed. Glancing over her shoulder she watched as Toga bounded away. Hopefully to stop whoever had just walked in.

She didn't know how many people were in their hideout but surely everyone would have been informed that she had gone in here. Shigaraki didn't seem the type to want others around her, especially in a vulnerable position.

The sounds of voices broke through her fear, her cheeks she knew must be a bright red, but all she could make out was a male's voice. They were talking quietly but she thought it was Shigaraki.

The door closed with a soft click as Toga came back into her line of sight. No one followed behind her allowing Izuka to huff in happiness before she began to quickly clean her body. Her blocky movements hindered the process, her muscles were still sore, but she worked as quickly and efficiently as she could.

As the water turned off Toga was there holding open a wide fluffy white towel. "It's from my own personal stash!" she exclaimed happily. "They're super soft."

Squawking in embarrassment Izuka hadn't been ready for the girl to begin wrapping her up in said towel, ignoring the greenette's nakedness as she began to ramble on about the clothes Shigaraki had brought.

"Not a single item from my wardrobe." Her voice sounded disappointed. "Besides the new underwear, we were able to snatch for you yesterday. Being able to transform into you I was able to buy the right size, don't worry." Izuka felt like that had been a violation of privacy, but she was thankful for her own underwear. "It looks like it's just a pair of his sweats and another long-sleeved shirt. Both black, figures, but we'll make you look cute!" Izuka's own disappointment flooded her body as she began to fight against Toga from helping her pull on the underwear.

"I got it!" squeaked from her mouth.

Toga had unclipped the chains that connected the cuffs together, and the one that wrapped around her waist. They dangled from one cuff that was still clasped tightly around her wrist. This allowed her to quickly pull on all the items of clothing without being hindered. As the shirt slid over her head, and each hand pushed through the sleeves, Toga was already reattaching the chains. They once again hindered her movements.

"Let me do your hair, Zu-chan!" The cute nickname shuddered through her body, a quiet sound of discomfort fell from her lips, not wanting to be on friendly terms with Toga, but the girl ignored her as she pulled the brush carefully through the green curls. "Such soft curls. I wish mine felt and looked as beautiful as yours." The emotion of want that dripped from Toga's words had goosebumps forming on her arms.

The girl seemed unhinged in a way, the cute demeanor she wrapped around her, almost like a cover, but one she desperately clung to. Curiosity, naturally, tugged at Izuka to know the other girl's story, of how she had become a villain but feared it just as well. It was an easy slope to wish to sympathize with villains and Midoriya still wasn't sure how to deal with that. Everything told her it was wrong, but a deeper part of her wondered why it was so bad to wish to help them, to stop the suffering that turned people into villains before they were pushed over that edge. She shoved it from her thoughts as Toga announced that she was done.

Her hair had been left down, but Toga had made it cascade down her back like a waterfall, the curls elegantly twisted, unlike her normal disheveled appearance when she simply brushed it and threw it up into a high ponytail. It was easier to deal with during training with it out of her face.

"T-thank you." Izuka felt rude not saying anything, especially with Toga staring intently at her with stars in her eyes, but it made her uncomfortable all the same.

"You're welcome!" Latching back onto Izuka's arm, Toga began to drag her out of the bathroom, and down another hall that she found connected back to the one that held her room. Shigaraki stood in front of the door, a look of contemplation heavy in his gaze before his eyes snapped to the girls. In two long strides, he reached them, his fingers automatically slipping into the gloves before they connected with Izuka's own hand.

His grip seemed tighter than usual, an aura of hesitancy, invaded the area around him. His fingers twisted around her own, forcing her into holding his hand, as he tugged her away from Toga. The touch set her nerve endings on fire, her mind screaming that this wasn't the right hand, it felt different from when Kacchan held her hand. There was no comfort, no warmth, just a coldness, and a tingling.

"Sensei wants to meet you." His lips were pursed, eyes narrowed, and the way his hand spasmed against her own, she didn't feel he agreed with his Sensei's plan. His voice leaked no emotion, sounding just as bored as he normally did, and Izuka wondered what it meant that she could read his body language so easily. The knowledge that All For One wanted to meet her didn't make her heart race in happiness, it just dragged her down with more dread, knowing she was in no position to deny it. That didn't mean she hadn't tried. After all the instinct to stay alive and away from worse evils ran strong.

"Couldn't we just stay here instead?" She wished her voice had sounded more confident, hadn't wavered at all, but it had. She watched as his eyes narrowed in on her small display of weakness. His gaze roamed over her. Taking in the too big sweats that Toga had helped her roll up until they didn't dwarf her legs, and the way the sleeves of his shirt were bunched over her arms, pulled back until her hands peeked through them. His lips twitched.

"No matter how nice my clothes look on you, and I'd much rather stay here, you've been invited, and it isn't one to be ignored. We're going." Her cheeks darkened at the insinuation in his voice, that feeling of constant uncomfortableness that she got around him, only deepened, as she once again wondered what he wanted from her. At times it didn't seem even he knew, or understood, but let what he thought fall from his lips without care. The way it was so casually said was more off-putting than anything.

She followed after him, not having much choice, as he still held her hand, moving to where Kurogiri was. The portal opener seemed to know what was expected from him as the dark swirling mass opened right in front of them. Izuka took a calming breath as they walked through it, with no hesitation even though she wished to cower behind it, but if she truly was walking into the den of lions, she needed to come off as powerful. Even if she held no power right now.

Never show them how scared you are.

Her legs shook with the overwhelming terror her body felt visible through the way she trembled. Unconsciously, as they stepped into what looked to be a lab, her hand clamped tighter, desperately, around Shigaraki's own. Unknowingly to her, as she was too busy staring ahead, her eyes and face blank, Tomura eyed her carefully.

Emerald orbs took in everything the space had to offer. Fear maybe tearing at her mind, but she was determined to be useful. Her mind stored the information of what she was seeing, memorizing everything that she saw, from the tanks full of creatures, and humans, covered in teal liquid, to the more grotesque images of Nomu. Her stomach lurched at the sight of those who seemed frozen in a permanent middle state, between human, and Nomu. At first glance, they seemed just to have a mutation quirk that shaped their bodies, but upon closer inspection the unnatural way their bodies twisted was wrong. The blank looks that filled each and every gaze were hollow, lifeless.

She wrenched her gaze away, falling onto the tables and equipment that spread throughout every otherwise empty space. They were clean, pristine, but her body fought down the urge to flinch away from them.

Off in the distance, toward the back of the room, an elderly small man in a white lab coat worked. He seemed unbothered by their sudden appearance as he continued to stare intently at the monitor in front of him. From where she stood Izuka could make out distinct glasses, and a tug of familiarity sparked at the back of her mind, but without getting closer she knew there would be no placing him. Shigaraki stepped closer, the hand that had been twined through her own, moved up to grip at the junction of her elbow. It was less intimate and allowed her to breathe a little easier.

Her attention snapped to the other occupant of the room.

How she had missed him with her initial scoping of the room, Izuka had no idea! It should have been impossible. Humming under her skin had built.

She could feel something inside her recognize the man in front of them.

He sat in a chair, leisurely, like a king with elegance and grace, knowing who held the power in the room. One leg crossed over the other, an arm dangling over the side, while his chin rested on his fist of the other hand. Even in a position of comfort, he was tall, taller than herself, telling her that she wouldn't even reach his chest if they were standing face to face. Short as she may be that was a feat in itself.

His face was covered with a black mask, one that she could only describe as coming close to in looks of a modified breathing apparatus. A smart suit, made she assumed of fine material, covered the rest of his body. The mask covered his eyes, keeping her from seeing what they looked like, but that didn't stop the heavy gaze she felt coming from him. The penetrating gaze shouldn't have been able to see her, but the feeling that he could see her in her entirety was unnerving.

In one fluid movement, far more graceful than Izuka thought possible of a man his size, All For One stood to greet them.

"Ah, welcome Midoriya Izuka," his voice smooth, rich, and dark. It exuded power, encasing him in the image that he was perfectly in control of everything.

As if speaking to a friend he opened his arms wide. "I've truly been looking forward to the meeting of the girl who captured my disciple's attention as thoroughly as you seem to have." His arms arched, moving gracefully into the perfect gesture of a host that was inviting her to see their household. As if everything here was meant to be used for her pleasure for the evening.

Wide-eyed and with her mouth slightly agape, Izuka desperately tried forming her expression into one that showed no concern. One that didn't bear her disbelief so loudly in the face of danger. A small part of her brain was aware when Shigaraki put distance between the two.

For the first time in each other's presence, he wasn't touching her in some way. Off to her side, behind her, he slouched against a pillar, his eyes carefully watching the scene in front of him.

It seemed the man expected some kind of answer from her as he waited expectantly in front of her. Her mind, working a mile a minute, tried coming up with some kind of plan that kept her from walking out of here in worse shape than she arrived.

Everything inside of her banked on the thought that Shigaraki wouldn't allow her to get roughed up too bad. After all his own plans were being put off because she wasn't in condition to move forward, and the longer they waited the harder his plans to succeed would be.

Playing dumb wasn't going to work. Her blood hummed with his presence, announcing exactly who he was to her, One For All recognizing its brother. Surely, All For One could feel it as well. He had more experience than her. That left her with only the truth, to roll forward with what she knew, but to keep her cards close to her chest.

"I'm not sure I can say the same." The words fell out before she could stop them. They seemed to filter through any kind of self-preservation. Horror rising up through her throat, the sudden idea that maybe he would smite her down right here and now, caused the incredibly hard to ignore feeling of wanting to puke to rear forward.

Instead, frighteningly, he only laughed.

"I hadn't expected that." True mirth lined his voice, smoothing out the darker undertones, as he held himself in amusement. Even that he did elegantly. "Such courageous words, but they're saturated in your fear. I'm pleased that you seem to know who I am. Even with the steps, I was forced to take to ensure my survival after that battle with All Might. Unsightly, isn't it?" He motioned toward his face.

"I do hope he suffers as much from his injuries as I do mine." The smoothness of his voice rolled over her, penetrating her, forcing her into a false sense of comfort. If it wasn't for what he was saying it was almost like they were old friends, his tone welcoming, warm, as they talked about the past over tea. Nothing like how she thought speaking to a homicidal psych would be.

He was dangerous.

No words escaped from her lips, even if she wanted to speak, her body seemed to have forgotten how to.

"I'm delighted that you're taking this so well, my dear. It makes progressing in the conversation that much smoother when we can drop pretenses, be who we are, and speak the truth. I can see why All Might would have taken a liking to you. From what Shigaraki has said you're smart, I can see that now, and a burning passion that was in himself, and all those before him." As he spoke, he strode towards her, his gait calm, open, seemingly in all the world at peace, of which she was sure he was.

Even though just moments ago she had spoken words brought on by a bout of naïve courage, Izuka had nothing to say. She was frozen as she watched the powerful man step closer to her. Conversations between herself and Toshi about this man flooded her mind in a wave of crushing anxiety, as everything cemented itself in her overstimulated brain. Her chest rose and fell as her pulse slammed against the confines of her skin.

The weakness in her legs became tenfold. A whooshing sound in her ears blocked out everything else. Locking onto the words he spoke about Toshi and the ones who came before him. The graveness of the situation she was in crumbled the walls she had tried to build up, and all that was left was raw basic survival instincts and the inherent knowledge that she should not let him anywhere near her.

It hadn't ended well for those inside her mindscape.

Chains jingled, metal singing against one another, as she abruptly stepped back, and away from the danger in front of her. Amusement lit up inside of All for One at the display. Never before had emerald shined so beautifully to him before.

Stumbling in blind panic, only the animalistic need to get away kept Izuka from falling flat to the floor as she reached behind her blindly, her fingers desperately searching for the presence of twisted comfort.

Shaking limbs clutched at scratchy fabric as she huddled into the side of Shigaraki. Cuffs digging painfully into his side as she pressed herself into him willingly. Unadulterated fear clung to her, the stench permeating his senses, as he wrinkled his nose in discomfort. Her chest heaved against his side, hyperventilating, if the soft wheezing leaving her, was any sign. He had never seen such a violent reaction from her before. Not even when he had her throat in his hands. The promise of death just a brush of a pinky away.

"Please," the word fell from half-opened lips, contorted with hysteria. "Don't let him take me… he… not now… protect me."

The way she clutched to him was glorious, but the situation dampened any feelings of triumph he may have felt. Glancing down he loosened his crossed-armed position moving to wrap it around her shoulders, his body automatically turning, moving Izuka out of his sensei's line of sight. Muddled emotions were rapidly rising within him, not unpleasant, but entirely foreign, therefore making him wary. Unsettled, questioning himself for his own reluctance, Shigaraki moved his arm that was around Izuka and brought her forward, toward his sensei.

She felt a hint of betrayal at the action before forcefully reminding herself that Shigaraki had never been a friend, to begin with.

"Stop hiding from Sensei," he muttered under his breath to her. "It doesn't work like that." Doubt clouded his mind, but he refused to give in and instead did what All For One expected. It didn't stop him from feeling a sense of accomplishment at the fact she had come to him for protection, even if he had to betray it in the end. All that mattered was the potential that was there. All For One closed the distance between them as he reached out to grip her chin, pulling it up so they were eye to eye.

"You should be more careful, you're still injured, and I hear my student here has something planned for you, you know." All For One moved to take her arm from Shigaraki, carefully placing her hand over his arm, and began to lead her away. Shigaraki followed slowly behind. His fingers twitching as he walked. Izuka let out a mix between a yelp and hiccup at the movement, not wishing to be this close to her mortal enemy. "Come, Tomura, let's escort our dear gust over to where she can rest. We shouldn't unnecessarily strain her body so close to her reformation."

Her veins turned ice cold at his words, her legs wanting to give out from underneath her, but she kept them up and going with sheer willpower. AFO patted her hand calmly as he would to someone he wished to comfort. Leading her toward a platform set aside from the others, off in an area surrounded on three sides by those big tanks, with a small table next to it, medical equipment lying neatly on the cold metal. Nothing else had scared her as much as that simple platform did. The hand stayed firm, her legs had begun to lock up, but it didn't hinder his movements as he simply just dragged her forward.

"This place should do well."

Hoisting her up he calmly batted away her attempts to get free. Flailing arms were nothing more than flies as he forced her into the straps, each limb becoming constrained in mere moments. The quirk suppressants had been taken off to secure her to the platform. She felt it the second One For All returned to her body and despite the pain that still lingered she tried accessing it. The metal creaked as green lightning flashed to life, but it didn't free her.

Even with that disappointment Izuka still felt like an old friend had returned to her. She trembled as her gaze focused on the ceiling above her. This was the worst situation she had ever gotten herself into, but the only thing holding back a complete meltdown was that AFO seemed to respect Shigaraki's plan. She wouldn't die here, not now, but that didn't mean what he had planned would be good. Or painless. She knew as long as it didn't put back her healing it wouldn't be stopped.

Tears built in her eyes. They swam in her eyes as she tried forcing them down, but that was a losing battle.

Standing beside the platform Izuka could make out the light blue of Shigaraki's hair as he hovered nearby. All For One had taken a seat on a chair beside the table, sitting comfortably, almost as if he were about to have a conversation with a long-lost friend, rather than the fifteen-year-old, latest holder of One For all, strapped down to a table against her will, with an almost bottomless despair in her stomach threatening to drown her.

Izuka, without realizing it found her head turning to the side, eyes locking on a blank-looking Shigaraki, wishing he would step forward and stop this. She couldn't believe that she would ever be looking to Shigaraki for rescuing.

"Tomura, I'd like to have a private conversation with our guest." Izuka knew she couldn't be expecting any rescuing from him. "Why don't you go speak to the doctor about his latest designs for the next generation Nomu." AFO's voice never left its pleasant quality sounding more like a father speaking to his five-year-old child, telling them to run along and play with their friends.

Emerald clashed with Ruby as he walked away. Biting his tongue, he kept his opinion on being shooed away to himself. Having to leave Midoriya with him left a bitter taste in his mouth. The girl was his, but he did as he was told. Izuka watched the glare that passed between them. For one moment she thought he would actually put his foot down, but then he walked away.

She was sure that if it had been anyone else, they would have been ash on the floor in front of him, but he had just left with a growl, his eyes narrowing before trudging over to the elderly man. Izuka was promptly left with the most dangerous man in Japan, if not the world.

"I think you and I can agree that Tomura should be kept in the dark about One For All at this moment in time. We may have our differences but that I believe we can agree with. The boy isn't ready yet, he has much to learn, and though that day is fast approaching it's not here yet." Clenching her teeth Izuka wasn't sure if he truly expected her to respond. To play into the role she had been set into. Her muscles spasmed with how much she had moved around today as she tried once again to get free of her restraints. Trying to once again use her quirk would do more damage than help, she knew this, but the way he stared at her made her want to try.

"I can see it in your eyes. You're scared." His voice sounded so concerned. It made her stomach twist with the idea he could ever be worried about her in any capacity. "But I wouldn't try using your quirk again. I've given you access back to it simply because I need to be able to feel it, and those pesky suppressants hide it away. Don't let that fool you into believing these restraints will release you if you keep trying, I had them especially made for your quirk in mind. You'd only wear yourself out and I don't wish to upset Tomura any further by pushing back his own plans. I hope you can understand and adhere to these wishes."

"Why did you call me here then?" The words spilled from her mouth before she could take them back. The whole situation had begun to be too much for her, and she craved her room surrounded by Hero memorabilia and to feel safe. She wasn't sure if her heart would take much more of this, as it beat loudly in her chest.

"You interest me. On one hand, I wanted to meet the girl that left a deep impression on my pupil, who never before you pursued a goal of his, with such tenacity. It's admirable and heartwarming to see such a drive, and development these last few months. I feel as if I should extend my gratitude toward you for this turn of events." He gracefully inclined his head toward her, just the barest of movements, like even he wouldn't lower himself to truly fall into the motion.

That sick feeling thickened inside her body. Here he was, acting as if he was the father figure, perhaps he was, but his ideals were twisted, and jaded, an unbalanced individual who had imparted his beliefs on another human being. Izuka couldn't help it, her body began to wiggle, trying to find any weak point to exploit. She just wanted out.

All For One watched her calmly. Allowing her to tire herself out before he continued.

"I admit my stronger reasonings were much more selfish. I wished to see the new wielder of my brother's quirk. It's a rare opportunity so I'm sure you understand my curiosity. By the time I've met your predecessors they had already passed on the 'sacred' torch to another individual, who never failed to be an even more self-sacrificing, idealistic fool, than the one who came before them." He reached out pulling at her hand, unhiding her wrist from the cuffs, and traced the torch that embellished her skin among the painted explosions.

"The opportunity to study his quirk inside a body that hadn't passed it along, and therefore was more than just a few dying embers, doesn't come across my path often. Far rarer do I get to snatch them away and examine the reason as to why it resists being taken away forcefully, like so many other quirks I have collected. You seem like a smart child, I'm sure you can see the golden opportunity that lies in front of me and wouldn't condemn me for taking the offering." He shrugged as he leaned over her. "Even if I fail in extracting One For All from you, my dear, I do find Tomura's plan of turning you into the next anti-symbol of peace intriguing, so I'll try to keep myself from being too disappointed if this doesn't go as planned."

He had risen from his chair, a hand pulling one black glove from longer nimble fingers. Her eyes watched the path it took toward her forehead. One For All surged forward as she tried to escape, only finding that his words had spoken true. The metal only creaked but made no indication of breaking. His touch brushed against her skin, and panicking, Izuka began to pull within herself, wishing to hide One For All away from him, and protect herself.

Pain, white-hot, melted into her core, a scream, far away from her own mind, lit up the room, as she faded away, forcefully thrown into a dark abyss. One second of that torture had left her wishing to die but finding herself floating back in that darkness was a welcomed relief.

In the distance sat a figure, warm light emitting from him, and without thought, Izuka willed herself to walk to them. Her approaching footsteps were muddled, the darkness pulling them in, but the figure heard the lasting trace of them as he glanced up. White hair concealed green eyes, and unlike before no smile greeted her, only the kindness that emitted from his very being. His lips were twisted into a caring kind of guilt, sad and apologetic, as he stood to his feet.

Hands rose into a comforting gesture as he squeezed her arms. The warmth that surrounded him oozed over the coldness that had gripped her bones, she found it a welcoming difference, as she melted into his embrace.

"I'm sorry for what you are going through. I know more than anyone what he is capable of in his pursuit to gain One For All back." The sunlight that blended into his words from before gave way to an icy sadness as if he was solely responsible for the situation she had stumbled into. An unnatural need to comfort gripped her. As if she was in any position to be giving comfort than receiving.

"Don't. Please. It's not your fault I was captured by the League of Villains." Her words were tired, heavy as if she was carrying a burden on her shoulders, but her tone was spirited, telling him exactly how she felt. "The risk that came with receiving One For All is worth it. I wouldn't have ever given up this opportunity if I had known everything back when I was offered this quirk. I still would have taken the responsibility. It has given me so much more than you will ever know, and I refuse to bow to that man."

He stared at her, watching as she burned with a passion, lighting up in his eyes, as she stood tall and proud. A smile as bright as the sun etched itself across his face as he raised his hand to cup the side of her head in an adoring motion.

"Thank you, Midoriya Izuka. Your words carry a bright passion that I know won't be snuffed out by anyone. Toshinori chose well when he presented you with One For All." Reaching for her hand he tugged her down into a sitting position. Sitting cross-legged from one another Izuka felt the stabbing feeling of pain in her head. Wincing she curled forward.

"It hurts."

"You're unconscious, but his determination to take back One For All created a bridge for us to connect, even if only for a short amount of time. I'm dulling the effects that your body is receiving from him, but I don't know how much longer I can hold him back. The pain will slip through in the meantime. I'm sorry but this is all that I could offer you."

Another flash of pain. A disgruntled hiss escaped through her lips, and she waved away the concern he showed for her.

"Thank you. Being not alone during this is more of a comfort than I thought I would receive. You're doing more than enough." A comforting squeeze of her hand signified the truth of her words. He was here with her now, and she didn't have to experience this terrifying event all by herself.

"It is my pleasure to be your shield here and now. You are never alone after all."

"If you're residing in my subconscious you must be one of the previous holders," she said, wincing against the pain that slipped through intermediately.

"Yes," he said, sounding proud. "I am the first of all the holders. I was given this quirk by my brother. Neither of us believed I had my own quirk, one that was special. It could only be given freely, and not taken forcefully. One For All, as you know, encompasses, strengthens, and stockpiles, all the traits, and abilities of every wielder that has carried it. It's futile for him to believe he could ever steal it back. He would have better luck just ending the line now, killing the current wielder, but I suspect One For All would find a way to prevail. I find myself pleased that he has not come to this way of thinking himself, as I don't think I could bear it if you were to disappear, dearest Izuka."

He sent her that kind serene smile that, while she was fighting back forces of evil and pain, put her at ease. She couldn't help returning that smile.

"Quirkless we should have both realized that I wasn't, the soul mark I bared on my wrist was faded, barely there, but no one without a quirk receives them." Izuka could barely make out the lines of what formed a Mark on the skin of his wrist. "It wasn't until after he forced the stockpile quirk on me that my mark became prominent and changed. The color darkened, the torch that embellishes yours, appeared on mine as well. The torch marks those who are carriers of One For All and their soulmates. Bonding us all together."

Questions raced through Izuka's mind. Her innate curiosity almost getting the best of her, but she clamped her mouth shut. Soulmates were such a delicate and intimate matter, that she wasn't sure if it would be polite to press him about it. She knew he had died fairly early on in his life. Had he ever met his soulmate? Did he die before they could have ever known one another? Or had they bonded? The loss would have been painful on both ends, and Izuka didn't have it in her to sadden the man in any way. She kept those thoughts to herself and directed the conversation away.

"I've been seeing you guys." She knew it had to have been them that had given her the courage and strength to keep moving on. "After this connection fades will we be able to talk like this again? Will I see any of you again?" The thought made her feel vulnerable that she wouldn't. It had given her more strength than she realized to know that someone was there, silently rooting for her, and helping from the shadows. The hand that still connected with his own gave a comforting squeeze as he raised his free hand. A finger stretched as he poked her on the chest, on her heart, as his eyes slid closed, and he smiled.

"We are a part of you. Always! Every wielder leaves a mark that lives on inside the new successor. We'll never leave your side, even when you can't sense us, you are not alone." The finger left her heart, a hand landing heavily on her head, as he ruffled her hair. "I do believe we will meet again. Call it a feeling."

Izuka couldn't help it. Her heart was warm, filled with love, and the sob that escaped her mouth wouldn't be held back. An odd ache filled her bones as she realized how much she missed Kacchan at that moment, but here was this stranger, connected to her by a quirk, going out of his way to make her feel safe and comforted. Her body reacted on instinct alone as she flung herself into his arms, without any thought of how he would feel about it. She was met with no resistance, his arms wrapping around her, soothing words slipping from his lips.

"I can feel your pain. That connection you have with your soulmate is still there. It works both ways, an open end for both of you, to sense and feel the other." His touch moved to her Mark raising her wrist so that she could see it as well. "This will bring you strength in the days to come. Look to it and know that as long as he is alive, he won't be giving up on you. Everything will work out." Another sob escaped her body as she clutched her wrist to her wrist. Wishing it would activate some strange portal and whisk her away to Katsuki. Pale fingers wrapped back around her wrist, over her mark, as his face lit with determination.

"It won't last long. There is something I can do. Open a connection, but I must warn you, what control I have over this, the pain that's being kept at bay, I'll lose my hold quicker. I can allow you to see him, just this once, as long as he is also connected."

Izuka stared at him in confusion and amazement thinking that he couldn't be offering her the chance to see Kacchan.

"Please."

But if he could any pain would be worth it.

Her Mark seemed to grow warm, engulfing her when the bond was aware of what Kacchan was feeling. It was steady, sluggish, telling her that he wasn't experiencing high emotions.

"It seems he's already connected. That's good. I can give you a few moments."

The warmth melted into light. The red lines forming explosions seemed to twist and turn as it rose from her skin. She seemed to fade into the light and Izuka welcomed it. It felt like coming home. It was easy to slip from where she had stood with the First and into the strange, forested area that greeted her upon arrival. The trees were thick and she feared that her time spent would be searching for Kacchan, but as soon as her thoughts drifted to that fear, a voice rose from within the tree's depths.

"You're here. He must have sacrificed something to bring you. Come quickly, so it won't be in vain."

A pretty young woman appeared in front of her. She wasn't solid like the First had been, only an outline of her features could be seen, but she emitted that strange comforting calmness as he had.

Izuka didn't hesitate to follow. Trusting that the man who sent her here wouldn't have put her in danger.

"He's unconscious. I was able to call upon it to bring him here. He won't remember this."

It didn't matter to Izuka. Having just one minute would be enough to tide her over. To fill her with the strength to keep fighting on. She knew against all odds Kacchan would find her, and perhaps she could push something into his subconscious to help herself. With those thoughts she hurried along, following closely behind until they broke into a clearing where Katsuki seemed to be standing in confusion.

Her body froze once her eyes set on him. Disbelief that this was actually happening flooding her system.

Then crimson warmth settled onto her, his own confusion bleeding away to worry, and fear. Her legs were moving on their own. They met in the middle, what was supposed to be a clash of limbs, and words, tripping over one another, as hands reached out touching, searching, clutching desperately, fell through one another. Izuka spun around, confused, disappointed, as she stared at him in desperation. He watched her with the same expression. The wish to know she was truly there, and it wasn't just a dream.

"How?" he croaked out, vocal cords misused and straining. "How are you here? Where are we? I saw that creep take you." Izuka shushed him, her hands coming up to cup his cheeks, hovering right above them as she greedily drank in the sight of him. Her eyes etched this moment permanently into her memory.

"We don't have long." As the words left her mouth, she could already feel the pain ebbing into the back of her head. It was dulled, the effects numbed, but she knew soon it would take over and she would be forced out. "It'll take too long to explain. I'm here because a friend was able to tap into this place that connects us. I-I needed to see you. I'm s-so scared, Kacchan!"

His hands hovered over her silhouette, close, but not able to touch. He could see the way her body shook, his own hands refusing to be as steady.

"Fucking Koneko, I'll save you. You hear me. Just tell me where you are." She buried her face in her hands, imagining the scent of him, the pain nagging more ferociously than before.

"They've been holding me in some kind of bar. I haven't seen the outside, but they've taken me to a laboratory. I don't think I'll be here for much longer. Once he's done with me, I'm sure I'll go back to that bar." Her words by the end had turned into a slurry, becoming harder to think through, as she dropped her hands, clutching tightly at the black fabric of the shirt she wore.

"Until who the fuck's done with you? What are they doing?!" His famous anger had taken over, but the last words fell softly from his lips, desperation hanging in them, as his own body had begun to shake. He watched as she winced, growing paler, normally flush with life, she looked like she was going through torture. Eyeing the attire she was in, the way her eyes seemed glassy, and the freckles on her face so prominent, Bakugo took a step backward to see clearly. "I'm going to blow those bastards away."

Izuka clumsily grabbed for his wrist, the one with the Mark, as her fingers ghosted over, and through it. "We're connected." She tried forcing her thoughts together, to make sense, cause she realized that something the First had said made sense, and with this situation, being able to see Bakugo, she was sure it was all connected. Something was there but her head hurt. Everything hurt. And making that connection and telling Kacchan was lost on the way out of her mouth.

She could feel herself slipping away. The pain had become too much.

'All For One is aware of my presence.' The voice flooded her mind, and she was sure Bakugo couldn't hear him. He was still hovering around her, his crimson eyes flickering from his wrist to her face, taking in everything.

"You won't… remember… any of this," she whispered. "But you must. …Please."

'He can feel me just as acutely as I feel him. I'm blocking him from reaching you two here, but I'm sorry. I have to pull you out now. He mustn't know that you two have spoken.'

"Find… me…" She gasped out, allowing herself to fade from Bakugo. "So…. Scared. I need… you."

'He can't reach me, we're not destined to meet today, but I must send you back now. My hold is faltering.' Izuka didn't want to go back. She didn't want to feel this. All she wished for was to stay here basking in Kacchans presence, but she trusted him to find her.

He would save her.

'Remember you are never alone. There will always be light in the dark to show you the way. It will never lead you astray, even if you are lost, it is only natural to find oneself.'

The voice faded out as did the surroundings around her. One last scream of Koneko reached her ears as she was pulled agonizingly back onto the metal platform.

子猫

Bakugo was forced into consciousness. His heartbeat pounded solidly in his chest, with one clear thought in his mind, something was wrong with Izuka, but he couldn't remember how, or why he knew that. His mind was muddled, and something forced this known fact into a dark part of his mind. The monitor connected to him began to screech as his pulse quickened.

She needed him.

Urgency hummed through his veins and all that mattered was in his heart he knew Izuka needed him, that whatever he had forgotten, wouldn't keep him from finding her. Feeling irritated Bakugo slid from the bed, beginning to pull cords, and needles from his body. Machines went off and as he pushed to his feet a nurse rushed into the room.

"You shouldn't be out of bed!" she scolded.

"Get out of my way you hag!"

"Calm down!" He moved to shove her away from him, but by then two more nurses had entered the room. It became a flurry of movement as he tried pushing his way toward the open door. He had to get out of here. The mark on his wrist burned, the thorn digging into his skin, as it tightened threateningly. His mind was working too fast to comprehend exactly what he needed to do. Hands grabbed at him, tugging, trying to pull him back toward the bed.

"We need to get him to calm down."

He had to get out of here. There was a pull. It was tugging him toward her.

A prick, a breaking of skin, and the more he fought, the harsher the fatigue was. He stumbled forward as hands grabbed at him, keeping him steady, as they lead him back to the bed.

"You'll feel better now."

His body refused to cooperate as he stared helplessly forward.

"Ko…ne….ko." His eyes began to slide shut. A fresh wave of fatigue slamming him under into darkness.

子猫

Her consciousness faded in and out. It made time flow into one another and Izuka wasn't sure how long she had laid there listening to what they were saying above her. Broken words were all that she caught, her mind not able to filter, and make sense of them properly.

"Mind space…. Found him…. Not powerful enough to extract."

"Slippery… One For All…"

"Tomura's plan… not enough time... will have to use his quirk…"

"…Hourly reports…"

"Let her rest. Then send her to him. Tomura I'm sure you understand this is for the best."

The last sentence spoke loudly inside her mind, her eyes blurred, but clearly above her, as she spotted familiar light blue hair. The ends were within reach, and with a giggle, Izuka thought how she could just reach up and tug on them if it weren't for how heavy her arms felt. Something twitched in her hand, her head falling to the side, her eyes heavy, as she caught sight of Shigaraki's fingers curled around her own. Maybe she felt so heavy because of him?

His other hand scratched at his neck, the sound so loud in her head, it caused her eyes to close as she let out a small whimper.

She was so tired.

Everything felt heavy. Far away. Much too disconnected from her for Izuka to care about.

The words surrounding her were drowned out by the scratching. A part of her mind told her to focus, that what they were saying was important, but she was drifting, and it didn't matter. Nothing mattered. Her fingers twitched against his own and the pressure was dropped. The world around her spun out of control. Her anchor, whether she remembered it belonged to a villain or not, had been the only thing keeping her from losing control overstaying in the moment. One became three figures with pale blue hair. Her fingers twitched again as she desperately tried holding on.

"She's aware." The voice was like a melody in her head, but the warning bells were screaming loudly in her head. "Take her back. Get her rested and then send her to him." Izuka didn't know the way Shigaraki's eyes narrowed at the order, didn't see the twitch of his hand before he turned to pick her up from the table. The world spun harshly around her as she was lifted, and for a moment she thought her breakfast given to her would make a reappearance. Her arms hung limply at her side as she felt something hard holding underneath her legs, and against her back. Her head was placed against his chest, and she let out another groan as she closed her eyes tightly against the swirling mess around her.

子猫

When Izuka came to again she was in an unfamiliar room bathed in darkness, the only light coming from a flashing TV screen, with some kind of game being played on it. Her head was resting on a pillow, and a thin scratchy blanket had been thrown haphazardly on top of her. Eyes glancing around curiously and cautiously Izuka sighted a figure hunched over at the end of the bed by her foot. If she stretched just an inch her toe would graze against him.

Mutters of misfortune, and anger, drifted over to her. She could tell he was getting heated, the whispers growing louder, but hadn't quite broken away from harsh scathing remarks under his breath. It was probably what had woken her initially, even if it did seem like he was trying to stay quiet. Lying there she took him in, surprised by how normal it looked if she hadn't known any better. If this had been anyone other than Shigaraki.

Believing she had given nothing away a startled gasp escaped her mouth when his sudden words seemed to be directed toward her.

"You should come over here and play."

Blinking she stared at his back not entirely bought on the idea that the mini-League boss would offer her such a thing. After all, as long as All For One was pulling the strings he would be the big boss.

"I know you're awake. Your breathing changed. I won't ask again."

Sitting up Izuka grabbed the blanket, wrapping it around her shoulders, before crawling over to sit on the edge of the bed beside him. She settled in beside him watching as he skillfully began to take down the characters in the game. It wasn't one she had ever played before, but the concept was familiar with most popular games. His character was a powerhouse, a front liner, that smashed through the enemies, leaving them behind in the dust. His fingers danced across the controller as he smashed buttons to take down the enemy. Izuka sat back and studied him. His eyes never left the screen not bothered by her presence in the slightest.

Seeing him like this Izuka didn't find herself surprised that he played video games. The way his fingers twitched from time to time reminded her of someone who played a lot of games, was familiar with having a controller in their hands. It fell in with what she knew of him, his mannerisms, the gaming lingo, the way he held himself, this made a lot of sense to her.

Pushing him into a more normal setting. What major villains went around playing video games in their free time? Finding it surprising not only because he was a villain, but by the fact that with his quirk, the way he would have to hold the remote to keep it from being decayed.

She found herself fascinated with the volatile quirk. Being a Hero fanatic was only part of her fascination, the quirks were what she put a lot of time and effort into knowing, wanting to know how they worked, what they could do, weaknesses, she loved them.

His quirk, even used against her several times, had her wanting to know more about it. Izuka wasn't sure if he could turn it off if that was why he avoided using at least one finger, that it was a five-touch activator quirk. She wondered if he could control the speed of the decay or even the nature of it. Was she just going at it too literally? Was his quirk even decay, or was it something simpler, like breaking? Did his emotional and mental state affect it at all, cause any side effects, making his quirk more volatile, and harder to control? Did a side effect from his quirk cause the scratching at his neck? It would make sense, as it almost seemed like he needed to break something, an urge would just come over him. Could that also just be another effect of his quirk or something else entirely?

Did it affect the control over his quirk, and did that mean if he could gain more control over his emotional state, would his quirk grow in the future as his control refined?

Izuka thought that perhaps he was unconsciously blocking his potential due to the fact that he knew he couldn't turn it off?

Limiting his own potential!

It terrified her to think so but it wasn't that far-fetched of an idea. Everything led up to the idea that he had the potential, untapped, to control the speed, turn off the decay even with five fingers, or the reverse, and decay something with only one finger.

"Hm… it's an interesting theory," a voice next to her spoke causing her heart to jump in her chest. "I'll be sure to try it out sometime." Izuka couldn't believe her tendency to ramble was out loud, a horrible habit, and in this situation could have devastating effects. She hunched over into the blanket trying to hide as she silently berated herself. Her eyes bounced over to look at him, he had stopped playing, the game paused in front of her. She hadn't even realized that, and though he tried to hide it, his poker face incredible, Izuka could see the astonished tone to it.

"That was a surprisingly in-depth analysis of me and my quirk from nothing but my mannerisms and what little encounters we've had. Your theories are interesting. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?" His voice hadn't changed much in the way he was trying to be casual, but there had been an edge, darkened with interest, or a warning?

She didn't think he was angry by her words. If anything, he seemed praising of her ramblings, something she wasn't used to, usually finding it to be an annoyance or bother for those around her. Though she felt thrown off by his appraisal, Izuka was also horrified by her blunder, not believing she gave someone as powerful as him more pointers on how to get better. Her mind fought with trying to downplay, to step back, and try to get him to not take her seriously.

"Ah, ha… it's nothing, honestly... I just like analyzing things… and people. And their quirks. I really like quirks! It's just a hobby, cataloging, and taking notice of what I see. I'm not that good at it." A blush had reddened her cheeks as she averted her eyes toward the gaming screen. Several moments of silence had her bouncing her gaze from the TV to him, and back to the TV again. She caught what she thought was a hungry, intense, respectful glint, lighting up his ruby eyes. It didn't seem her deflecting worked any. She had to work on her internal rambling.

A controller was forced into her line of sight as she was still staring intensely at the screen in front of them. Blinking she stared down at it not sure what he was asking of her.

"Take it. Play."

Not normally one that played games, or at least she hadn't in the last year, Izuka hesitantly took it from him. Still unsure of herself Izuka started the game up and began to play.

"You're right, as I'm sure you now know, I'm a hardcore gamer. It's what you can find me doing when I'm not executing my plans." He flashed her a sharp-looking grin that she noticed out of the corner of her eyes. Izuka couldn't help but think that he partly meant his stalking of her. A shiver ran down her spine and she focused more intently on the game. "If you don't time it right you're going to die again." Cursing under her breath she watched as her character died in a blaze of fire.

"Okay, I can do this."

Shigaraki watched as she went through the motions once more, dodging, attacking, before slicing down the enemy before she could go up in smoke once more. A small smile tugged at her lips as she moved on to the next stage. The cuffs on her hands jangled against the hectic way she moved the controller like the swaying would help her jump, or dodge better. It revealed her Mark with every jolt. He couldn't look away.

"I have a soul mark," he said his tone turning softer, drifting with memories. "As everyone knows if you have a soul mark then you have a quirk, but mine hadn't appeared until my quirk did. I don't remember much about my past other than the hate, and pain I was subjected to. I can remember relishing in the death of my father, finally feeling free after years of abuse, but at times I catch other glimpses, that wish to show me more. What I remember of the night that my quirk materialized was pain, helplessness, and a deep-seeded anger. The clearest emotion was much later that night when I was left alone with my thoughts, and I found the new addition etched into my skin. The dark green color contrast to my skin."

Izuka had forgotten about the game. The screen played her death as she turned to stare in fascination, and unease at the information he was giving her. Why would a villain give up his weakness to his enemy? Her mind whirled with the possibilities but the intense gaze as he stared into her eyes, the way he seemed to absentmindedly touch her, to the fact that he was sharing this with her now. Izuka was scared to know and shied away from him as he spoke. It couldn't be possible. There was no way.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked her voice broken and small. Not answering Shigaraki continued to watch her, taking in her reaction, as a desperate Izuka tried eyeing his wrist, but it was covered in the long dark material. Not a single speck of color bled to where her eyes could see, and he didn't offer it up. A moment of craziness had her itching to snatch up his wrist and bare it for her eyes to see, but she feared his reaction and the answer.

"We should get you to your room. Tomorrow will be a big day for you. You'll need your rest." He stood, towering over her, as he waited for her to follow suit. She couldn't. Her legs wouldn't cooperate.

"Why?"

Instead of answering he leaned toward Izuka pulling her to her feet. As he tugged his sleeve fell just a fraction revealing the emerald color, and a single sharp line that seemed to fade away. It gave away nothing. Put no fears to rest. He dropped her arm, scowling until she moved.

Later in her own bed sleep came to Izuka fitfully. She replayed her moment with Kacchan hoping to soothe her into a deep sleep where she could run away from everything happening around her. It gave her strength and for a moment she could forget the fears that sat heavily on her shoulders. Sleep came to her in the early hours of the morning, when her eyes were heavy, and purple-stained the bags under her eyes.

When Izuka's eyes opened once more she was sure this was a dream. The scene around her was of a dingy alleyway, filthy, and dark. There was no way she would be out of that prison of a room.

Sniffles broke through her concentration of studying her surroundings. Her own heart tugged at the sound, all feelings of confusion disappearing, as she took off toward the sound. Finding the source tucked behind a green dumpster splattered with garbage and paint Izuka was surprised to find a young boy, soft blue hair, and wide scared ruby eyes. Shock jolted her body as she took a step back.

"Shigaraki Tomura." The name fell from her lips because there was no other person it could possibly be.

The boy looked up at her in fear. His head shaking in denial.

"My name is Tenko. Who are you?" His voice shook in rhythm with his body. "Are you here to hurt me?" Fists clenched at her side, she didn't miss the way his eyes darted to the action. Heart-breaking and chest-tightening Izuka quickly dropped to her knees to appear less threatening. She didn't try to cross the distance between the two. No matter what he said Izuka knew this had to be Shigaraki. Her mind took in the information that was presented to her, his hair, eyes, and face looked to be a younger version of who she had just spent time with. This scared little boy who went by Tenko was Tomura. This had to be before All For One dug his talons into him. After all even Shigaraki had hinted that he wasn't always with his master.

"I'm not here to hurt you," she said softly. Her voice wavered but not because she was lying. The difference between the two was night and day, but strangely she could see the same little scared boy in his counterpart.

"Are you sure? I was bad."

"You were bad?"

"You'll hurt me if you find out."

"I'm a hero. I'm meant to save you, not hurt you."

Ruby eyes widened in disbelief. Different from the way he had stared at her earlier that night. Distrust was evident but in those red depths, they held a flicker of hope.

"I hurt my family."

"I'm sure you didn't mean to."

"Not everyone. I couldn't stop it. I was so scared. They disappeared in front of my eyes. My father was so angry, he hurt me, and I just released it. He disappeared too." Shaking he shuffled toward her. Trust shined in his eyes. "Will you help me? You feel kind. Warm. Familiar."

"I want to help."

A gasp left his mouth as he ducked his head to stare down at his wrist.

"Tenko?"

A rush of movement and the boy was stumbling over the trash and towards her. His small legs tripped and fell but he continued his giddy half crawl toward her.

"Hey! Look!" He shoved his wrist under her face. "This didn't look like that before! It's so pretty? What does it mean?" Emerald caught sight of dark green stars framing a pale wrist, and as it wrapped delicately around forming a bracelet. She saw the stars become half-formed, like dust, until only green dots blemished his skin, connecting with the first star.

"It's your soul mark." Air rushed from her lungs as she rolled back on her heels. "It states who your soulmate is."

Tenko cocked his head to the side. Staring at her curiously as he watched her continue to study the mark.

"This proves it." He spoke with confidence as he locked gazes with her. His tiny head nodded as his cracked lips broke into a smile. It was like none she had ever seen from Shigaraki before. Innocence. Happiness. Like how the sun felt after a storm.

"Wha-?" Bricks melted to shadow. The corners of her vision growing dark. Tenko was framed against midnight as the ground was swallowed up underneath them.

"You'll save me. I know it."

"I-."

"It's written in the stars."

He began to crumble, evaporating like stardust around her, as the slam of a door tossed her back into consciousness.