Soul Marked
Chapter Thirty-Five
I'll Be Good
So I know another three months have gone by and I'm just now updating. I believe this is probably going to be my normal for a while. Some good news I have been undergoing some changes that should, hopefully, help with my writing habit and make it more habitual. I'm looking on the positive side of being able to update quicker but, well, we will see.
I am super excited about sharing this chapter with you guys! So much stuff happens that I've been dying to share with you all, and it's finally here!
I hope you all enjoy it and leave a comment!
Izuka stared at the plate of food that sat on the table in front of her. She had been shoved into a booth at the bar, Shigaraki sitting next to her, keeping her trapped in the small space between him and the wall. Across from her sat an overly happy Toga, an annoyed Dabi, and a passive Spinner. She wasn't sure why she had been allowed out of her small room, but in fear of being placed back inside of it, she had kept her mouth shut. After last night's weird dream, one that had her peaking glances at Shigaraki's wrist any time he wasn't looking at her, Izuka was unsure if she could believe it or not.
Her head felt light and heavy at the same time, as the thought of Shigaraki being connected to her in such a way was nearly horrifying. Being one-sided she wasn't even sure how any of it was possible or worked, wishing more than ever that she understood more about soulmates and the way they worked.
She was confused.
Just the knowledge that Shigaraki could have a partial soul bond with her made her overthink everything. That little boy she had seen in her dream had clearly been a younger version of the man next to her. He had used a different name, but was it impossible for him to have changed it? It was easier if she thought about the boy, and not who he had grown into.
If she got out of here Izuka promised herself to find a soulmate specialist. Some had used dedicated their lives to researching all that they could on the theory, and idea, of soulmates, and how they worked, and what it meant.
Did it hold some kind of meaning?
Was she supposed to help him with something?
She was hazy on all the details of what a soulmate even meant outside of being your other half and important. She had never needed to know anymore beyond that. Having not grown up with a soul mark she had avoided most conversations about it. It had always hurt too much to know that it was something she would live without.
Dipping her head toward the bowl, Izuka clutched the spoon tightly in her hand. Her stress levels were high, and she had felt tired most of the morning. Shigaraki had once again dragged her to play a video game with him after waking her up before the sound of her stomach grumbling an hour later forced them to come out here.
Midoriya felt awkward being surrounded by the other villains in the hideout.
Toga had been sending her excited glances from the moment she sat down. The green-haired girl had pulled her bowl of oatmeal closer to herself as she eyed the villain with concern. Whatever emotion of friendship the other girl was feeling hadn't been reciprocated on her end.
"When are we moving forward with the plan?" Dabi asked, after eyeing Izuka for an uncomfortable amount of time. Shigaraki had continued to glare at the man across from them for the whole duration, but Dabi didn't seem to mind or notice. "We've allowed her enough time to heal, yeah? Or is that doc of yours not as good as you've stated."
"Who the fuck gave you permission to question anything around here?" Shigaraki rasped, his eyes narrowing.
"Just curious. Seems she's become more of a pet for you than what the plan entailed, huh."
Izuka could feel the way Shigaraki's body stiffened next to her. His muscles tensed and the glare on his face caused her to shiver in fear.
"Having Iz-chan around has been fun!" Toga announced. "But it would have been nice if you'd let me watch over her some more by myself. The plan would allow that to happen right? We should move forward. It's going to be so much fun once she wants to stay!"
"No one wants your crazy ass looking after them," Dabi snapped at her.
"Iz-chan wouldn't mind!"
"Of course, she fucking minds, no one in their right mind wants to hang out with someone who could snap and stab them at a moment's notice."
"You're so mean, Dabi."
"No harm would come to her if I watched over her," Spinner said. "As one that Stain has announced as worthy, she would be safe in my hands."
"Not creepy at all."
Izuka watched the train wreck of a conversation in mild surprise as they spoke about her like she wasn't sitting in front of them. It felt incredibly wrong, but Midoriya couldn't help but agree with Dabi. That didn't mean she would have chosen him to be her babysitter as well. He may not stab her, but she wasn't sure if she'd be any safer from bodily harm. The whole conversation was beginning to make her uncomfortable as she tried to occupy herself with moving the oatmeal left in her bowl around.
"All of you shut the fuck up," Shigaraki snapped. His ruby eyes had narrowed in his anger. The emotion bled into his features as he aggressively cut them off with a wave of his hand. "None of you would ever be allowed to watch over her."
"Who gives a shit about that. I'm just tired of looking over my shoulder and worrying about her trying to get away. She's fine now, right. So, move on with the plan already, and then you can go back to your weird fucking bonding shit or whatever."
"Listen, you burnt piece of toast. I'll proceed when I damn well please." Shigaraki had leaned across the table. All fingers were pressed into the wood except for his two pinkies. Keeping his quirk from activating, but Izuka had pushed herself back up against the seat, as far as she could get from the table, just in case.
Around her, everyone had tensed. She could read their body language. Each of them was ready for a fight if Shigaraki decided to make the first move. Izuka wondered how often this happened, and if it ever led to a real fight breaking out. The way she could see Kurogiri watching carefully from the bar, the girl could only assume that it had before. Especially between Dabi, and Shigaraki.
"Let's go," Shigaraki snapped, as he shoved himself away from the table. His hand came out to grab at her own before she was abruptly, and harshly, removed from the bench. Having grown use to his rapid mood swings Izuka simply followed without complaint. His fingernails already dug painfully into her skin. She didn't want to be reminded of how his quirk felt. The reminders in her nightmares were enough.
As they walked Izuka could hear him muttering to himself. He seemed to be debating something that was said too low for her to overhear. Even in close proximity, they were to each other. The air between them was heavy, and it made it hard for her to breathe, her anxiety climbing, as the killing intent he was leaking only heightened. Dabi had truly pissed him off, and Izuka didn't want that taken out on her, but she had no clue on what to do, or say. He wasn't Bakugo. This man-made no sense to her. She spent most of her time trying not to be killed or confused with her morals, and the black and white way she had viewed the world, up to landing here.
Not surprisingly, Izuka found themselves back in front of his room, as he slammed the door open, before tugging her inside. Another slam to close it she could only watch as he paced in front of the bed. The only light coming from the monitor of his computer.
"He's right," Shigaraki said suddenly. The words caused her to jump as she focused on the features that glowed in the blue-tinted light. His gaze was set in a hard glare, the ruby orbs seemed to glow in the dark, as the outlines of his fingers twitched at his side. They seemed desperate to claw or disintegrate something. "He always brings on that urge to fucking kill something, but the burnt bastard is right. We'll be moving forward with the plan soon."
Through her shock and horror, Izuka had caught the smallest trace of uncertainty in his voice. She was desperate to change his mind. The pain she had gone through last night reared up in her mind's eye, and Midoriya wondered what the plan exactly entailed.
"So soon?" she whispered. The fear had leaked out from her voice. She flinched at the sound of it, but it was far too late to take it back. It may have been better to just stay silent, but Izuka had to say something. To hope that she could put it off just a little while longer.
He had caught the waver in her voice. Taking a step forward Shigaraki invaded her personal space. Izuka tried to take a step back, away from him, but the grip on her arm kept her from moving.
"This is all for the best. Once it's done, you'll be free, and we can break apart this world together, before piecing it back to the way it should be." She shook at his words. The action caused another round of disillusioned words of comfort to fall from his mouth. "I would never hurt you without reason. This is for the best, and you'll see that once it's done. Ayumu will be here soon, and then we can start."
He dragged her over to the bed where he shoved the controller from before into her hands. Izuka could feel the shake in her hands, see how it caused the controller to jerk in small spasms, as he began the game, forcing her to start attacking his character in an attempt to not lose. It was what was expected from her. Somehow, it had been a far more relaxing situation only an hour ago.
"Your soulmate-," Izuka had begun, trying to get more information, but he cut her off.
"We're not going to speak of that. Not until you've been reformed."
She frowned as he watched him execute a round of complicated moves that ended with her character being knocked out.
"Why not?" she asked suddenly, feeling pushy. "You had begun to talk about it last night. It sounds to me like you want someone to speak about it with. Why not me? What harm could that cause?" She hadn't been thinking about the words that fell from her mouth in frustration. She just wanted answers. Izuka didn't catch the flash of amusement at her words, not even thinking about how they could have triggered anger in him, only babbling as she allowed her annoyance to overflow.
"That, little mate, is a stupid question." She flinched at his answer. As she began to talk, she didn't honestly think he would grace her with an answer. It mostly had been done just to vent her stress at the situation, and the dream that had left her confused, and scared.
Shigaraki moved closer, his body towering over her own, as she leaned away from him.
"Why do you call me that?" Her voice wavered. It would seem she would never have the upper hand here.
"A form of sentiment I supposed." His hand had reached forward to tug lightly at a lock of hair that had fallen in her face.
"Why those words?"
Shigaraki blinked as he stared at her in confusion, his head tilting to the side, as he silently questioned what she meant.
"When we first met you called me girl."
"Hmm, I think I've explained what the difference has been since I first met you." He leaned closer toward her, a sly smirk crossing his lips, as he watched her press back toward the edge of the bed, close to falling off. A blush had bloomed across her cheeks as she remembered his words from their last meeting.
'You see I've seemed to have formed quite a crush on you.'
"Aahh, well, t-that still-."
Shigaraki cut her off with a finger to her lips. Her eyes went cross-eyed to stare down at it as she lightly shook. She could feel the space behind her and wondered if the pain was worth falling backward over the edge.
"Y-you've also called me kid, and little hero, why not use those?" She spoke around his finger, pressing forward, as she steeled herself to fight. Even if it was just with words.
"Not approving?" He pressed his forehead against her own. Thriving in the uneasiness she gave off in waves. Relishing in the sparks that ran across his skin where she touched. It was addicting, fueling the obsession, and urging him forward with his plan. "Tsk, you should feel charmed. It's not just anyone that I give this kind of attention to, you know." His words were teasing, the finger that had been on her lips had moved to caress her cheek, an action that Shigaraki had spent a lot of time doing.
"I, um-." She wasn't sure how to respond to that as she twitched and wavered as she almost fell backward.
"I say what comes to mind. Why should I filter my thoughts?" Being so close she could see as his eyes search hers. His breath mingled with her own. "Unless it makes you feel uncomfortable."
How could he not see that it made her highly uncomfortable? He was far too familiar with her, himself. How he could show no unease at being so near her, or touching her, made it just that much worse for Izuka.
"Y-you're too c-close," she stumbled out. His smile only grew at her admission as if he had won something over her. Her words hadn't made him back down. Instead, they only seemed to spur him on as he shuffled closer, watching her carefully, before Izuka made a startled noise of embarrassment, and threw herself over the side of the bed. She landed with a thump on the floor, the concrete bruising her tail bone, as she stared up wide-eyed at the villain who hovered over the edge. His eyes glinted with an unknown emotion as he calmly watched her from above. Her breathing had picked up as tears began to build at the corner of her eyes. Whatever had just happened had left her feeling on edge and she wished to be alone. Too much was swirling around inside her thoughts. She knew too much, but not enough, and they badgered at her with unanswered questions. As he continued to stare, she couldn't help but think there were his own unspoken questions within their ruby depths. Questions and accusations, but more importantly expectations that she wasn't sure she could, or would, live up to.
Shigaraki seemed to hesitate before his body began to move like he planned to join her on the floor, but a knock at the door made him freeze.
"Shigaraki," came the calm and mellow voice of Kurogiri. "Ayumu has arrived."
Izuka watched as something changed in his expression. What had been a teasing, almost happy expression on his face, darkened. The Shigaraki she was used to seeing around the others had slid back into place. He seemed almost hesitant but full of duty as he pulled himself from the bed, before stopping in front of her.
"Your destiny awaits," he said. His voice held an air of urgency, as he seemed to battle himself between wanting to stay here and moving on. "It seems it's time to move onto the next phase of your stay here."
子猫
Two Days before Rescue
There's nothing but darkness.
That wasn't entirely right.
There were voices as well.
It nagged at the back of his mind. They weren't familiar but they brushed against the back of his thoughts like he had only forgotten them, rather than never knowing them before.
"You have to wake up," they whispered. Surrounding him.
Was he asleep? He didn't remember passing out. Not when there had been something important going on. His memories were hazy. Unsure of what he was missing, but the urgency still ran hot inside his body. It tugged at him, but everything was blocked.
It left a frustratingly sick feeling behind.
"Wake up!"
The darkness lightened in spots, revealing blurred figures of white. They formed the shapes of bodies, but faces or characteristics were hazy, leaving a gap on him identifying anyone.
"She needs you."
"You've got to wake up."
There was a prickling sensation, a stab of pain, then the comforting brushing of what felt like silk against his wrist. He started to reply only to realize his body was also a blur, there was something wrapped around his mouth, it felt heavy and thick. The figures of white light swarmed around him.
"We'll be here to help you."
"Follow our signs."
"Wake up."
"Don't forget."
The figures enclosed around him, the closer they got the more like people they became. Most were females he found, except for one who was far too broad and large. He was the one that had spoken last.
Confusion swam around inside his head, but he couldn't force out the questions he wished to get answers to. They stuck in the back of his throat as the feeling of growing lightheaded grew stronger.
"We'll be here to guide you."
The feeling grew heavier, his breathing picked up, but he could feel his consciousness sliding. The figures around him grew fuzzier before beginning to fade away, the darkness creeping back up around him. He found himself slipping away from what he could only describe as the comforting warmth they radiated before abruptly being thrown back into consciousness. The sound of beeping filled his ears, the annoying ringing causing irritation to bubble up inside of himself.
A groan ripped from his lips as he tried to open his eyes, but they felt heavy.
"Someone shut that fucking thing up." There was shuffling around him before a gasp. He felt a hand grab at his arm, and he tensed as he forcefully tried prying his eyes open with sheer willpower.
"Katsuki, you little shit," came the voice of his mom. The usual anger that riddled her voice, especially when it came to things that scared, or annoyed her, was absent. It sounded forced to his ears. He felt something smack his arm half-heartedly only bubbling the irritation under his skin as his eyes popped open with sheer irritation.
"Shitty old hag, quit hitting me." His voice was weaker than he liked. He hated the sound of it wishing it was full of his normal anger.
"It was supposed to be a simple camping trip and you go and get yourself thrown into the hospital," she huffed out, her voice leaking with how worried she had been. It made his skin itch. Preferring that she blew up at him. The usual yelling at one another, anything besides this.
"Shut up," he said. It didn't hold the punch it normally did. Memories were bouncing back inside his mind, filling up the empty spots that upon first waking up he hadn't remembered.
"You alright kid?" she asked carefully. The hand on his arm never disappeared, the need to comfort her child strong, as what she had learned swarmed inside her head. By now she knew he would be remembering, and questions would be asked. She could feel when his body began to shake, her grip tightening on him, as she leaned forward. He didn't respond to her question, instead, his body tensed as he tried forcing the shaking away.
"Koneko." The name slipped from his lips painfully. He already knew the answer before his mom could say it. She would never have acted the way she was if something good had happened. It would have been the first thing out of her mouth. For all he griped about her he knew his mother cared, whether it irritated him or not, but she would have announced the news immediately if they had gotten Izuka back. Instead, his body tensed even further, awaiting the news that would be told to him.
The grip on him seemed to loosen before she squeezed his arm comfortingly.
"Everyone has been looking," she said quietly. Her normal spark smothered as she carefully watched as her son seemed to shrink away from the news. "Your father is with Inko in the cafeteria now, she's spent a lot of her time here in the hospital with us. I don't think she really knows what to do with herself right now."
"How long?" he spat out, the words tasting foul in his mouth as he choked them out. "How long have I been out?"
Her grip tightened to the point it was almost painful. He wasn't going to like the news; he was sure of it.
"Now, Katsuki, you went through something traumatic," she leads, trying to ease what her words were about to deliver. "Having your soulmate taken like that in front of you can have an impact on your mind and body. The heroes told us how you weren't reacting well. Not in your right mind."
"Just fucking tell me already," he snapped. The anger building inside his veins was bubbling over. He was a time bomb about to snap. Katsuki just needed to know what he could already feel inside his soul. He had been out for far too long.
"Kid, you were out for five days. Your mind took a huge hit. You weren't able to cope, the medics on sight knocked you out, but when you woke up at the hospital you became a danger to yourself and those around you. They had to knock you out again, but you've been asleep this whole time."
Five days.
He had been asleep for five days. Koneko had been on her own with the villains for that long. He didn't know what was happening to her. What she was going through all on her own.
He hadn't been there to keep her safe.
He gritted his teeth. A snarl, a wounded noise was caught in his throat. Being kept back by sheer determination.
"Follow the bond." A whispered voice surrounded him.
His head snapped up glancing around for who spoke, but it was familiar. He recognized it from when he was unconscious. Strange or not, Katsuki trusted it, but he wasn't sure what he was supposed to be following or feeling.
"It's going to be okay, Katsuki."
He ignored his mother's words. There would be no losing control of himself. Izuka needed him.
A tugging at his wrist brought his attention to the soul mark. The petals were moving in a frenzy. He couldn't distinguish the feelings that were being sent his way.
"Follow the bond."
His Koneko needed him. The first thing he needed to do was get out of this hospital.
子猫
Her thoughts were murky. Scenes swirled around in her mind's eye. They made no sense.
"Put her under again," a raspy voice spoke. "We were close."
"She's fighting me. I need her mind more susceptible to what I'm doing. It'll take longer but I believe the results will end to our liking. Allow me the extra time."
"What will you be doing?"
"Humane things mostly. Putting her through the motions of her everyday life before implanting our changes. Repeating this until she begins to believe where she is, is real, and stops fighting me for the information I seek."
"Make this work."
子猫
Bakugo stood in front of All Might. Several other heroes assigned to the case moved around them, but the teen-focused only on the number one hero. Last night Bakugo had snuck out of his house, avoiding the surveillance of the police that had been assigned to watch his house. They feared the League would try to snatch him again. Katsuki didn't care. He had his own mission. Finding Izuka was all that mattered to him. Since the moment he woke his mark had been in a frenzy. The thorns dug into his skin, the petals chasing the pain, as they moved in time to one another.
As his parents escorted him from the hospital, a crying Inko being sent to her own home to get rest, Bakugo had noticed the way that his mark moved. It was deliberate. A shuffle. Broken by an urgent swirl. A shuffle once more.
He had broken free from his parents, interested, as the words from before flowed over him, as he moved to assess a theory. The slow shuffle turned into a frenzied movement of pain, and comforting silk, as he headed in a new direction.
Turning back toward his parents the petals, and thorns, calmed, going back to the slow shuffle from before.
It was a sign.
The one he needed.
His theory turned into truth the deeper he moved into the city. The Mark on his wrist tugged and pulled him into the direction of Izuka. Calming when he was on the right path and burning when he made a wrong move. The movements of the petals waved dramatically the closer he seemed to get.
The sun burning over the horizon, red, and blue flickering against the daybreak, as a siren rang out once, brought Bakugo to a stop. Irritation and desperation rolled off him in waves as the two officers stepped out of the car.
"Bakugo Katsuki," called out the man.
"Your parents are worried," the female spoke. "They panicked when they realized you were missing from bed this morning."
"You shouldn't do that to them, kid."
Bakugo ignored the man's words. He didn't understand. There was someone far more important out there, needing him than his parents worry.
"I'm not going home."
"Don't be like that," the female began, but the male cut her off.
"Stop acting like a brat. You're causing your parents' stress. Leave the heroics to the professionals." The man sighed as he moved closer. He may have been taller than Bakugo, but the teen came up right under his nose, almost at eye level. Crimson eyes narrowed in frustration as he moved to push past the cop.
"I can find her. Take me to All Might. He's on the case right. Take me to him and tell him I can find her."
The man went to scoff, to force the kid into the car, and take him home, as ordered, but the female brushed him aside.
"You can find her?"
Bakugo paused in his plan to flee, at the sound of her voice. She wasn't just saying it to appease him. There was a note of understanding that caused him to spin around.
"I can feel her."
She took a step forward. Her eyes were bright. Shining with the knowledge that she seemed to share with him.
"When I was a kid, I met my soulmate. He became my best friend, but one day he had gone missing. He was last seen playing at the campsite of his family, and the police believed he had gotten lost in the forest, but after hours of searching, they had produced nothing. I begged my parents to take me there. They conceded, wanting to be there for their friends, and I swear I could feel him. My Mark seemed to react, and it was like I could sense his presence the closer I got to him. He had fallen down a gully, knocked himself unconscious, and it had been why he never responded to the people calling out to him. I saved him that day. I don't know why no one else hasn't thought of using you to find the girl, but I suppose it was never released that she had a soulmate."
"What the hell are you two on about?"
"He's our best bet of finding the girl."
"Our orders were to take him back home. It's not safe out here for him."
"He'll just leave again. We should take him to the station. Let him talk to the Pros. Tell them what's going on and let them make that decision."
"Why the hell haven't I heard about this before?"
"Most people's soulmates don't just go missing, and of those that have, not everyone realizes what that feeling even is. Not many know about this side of the bond. I do. And I know it'll work." She turned back to Bakugo. "I'll help you convince them to let you help. Don't worry, kid. I know we'll find her with your help."
Bakugo felt relief for the first time since he woke up.
子猫
Her memories felt heavy, and untouchable, like they were smoke, and lead. Two scenes played out in front of her. The double vision split her head into two as she stared in horror as All Might cut Bakugo down. On the other side she saw the All Might she knew. Two separate beings. Both felt real.
It was complete agony.
The scene played over and over in front of her.
She felt her mind splintering.
The pieces falling around her as, like elastic, the two scenes became one, and All Might became splattered with blood, as a crumpled heap lied at his feet. Ash-blonde hair was speckled with crimson, as a bruised, and battered body lay twisted in front of her.
The scream caught in her throat.
Words bubbled over.
A messy prayer on repetition of hopes and wishes that settled on deaf ears.
A mass of muscle turned, bright blue eyes, darkened with madness, stared down at her, as she knelt in a crumpled form, leaning over the only thing that had kept her sane. Sobs wracked at her body, the sounds morphing, twisting, darkening, as a crazed laugh spewed from her lips.
She felt the world spin around her, another memory taking over, as she watched through a haze of All Might speaking to her. She could feel the anger bubble inside of her. The ache and desperation of having Kacchan back. The way her Mark had burned with blistering heat. The emptiness that came with her other half's soul wash away.
With a scream she woke, pulling from the horrifying world that she had been stuck in, as the vision of light blue hair crowded in her space. Her body shook. Tortured sobs escaped her lips as arms pulled her into their safety.
"I didn't tell you to pull her back under."
"It was needed. She still saw it as just a terrible vision."
"I'm your boss. You heed my commands. Not your own whims."
The man's face twisted into distaste as he managed to hold back a glare.
"As you wish. My apologies." He bowed as he backed away from the pair.
She still shook, words of desperation, and fear, falling from her lips as she latched onto his clothes. Her eyes hurt with the strain as she forced them closed. The desperate need to glance at the mark on her wrist was undeniable. Her heart shattered at the thought of it being gone. She shied away from confirming what she knew in her soul. She pressed closer into his embrace as she desperately held back the two sides of her that wished to fall out.
Above her, Shigaraki stared down at the broken form of the girl. Something unraveled inside of Tomura as he watched her sit there, clutching to him, as her mind sunk into a dark place, one she wouldn't be able to come back from. It would always leave an imprint on her mind. A part of him, the one that produced the plan, felt smug, pleased, as he had her where he wanted her. Another part, the one that had spent time with her over the last week, had begun to feel something akin to regret. A mixture of unease, satisfaction, and change had settled over him, making him itch with uncertainty. She was right where he wanted her, and yet he felt he had pushed her too far over the edge.
She was a broken mess. Not the anti-symbol she needed to be. Blood lust and the need to destroy All Might should have been hanging onto her, filling the area around them, not this ragged doll that clutched to him like a lifeline.
Anger reared its head as he turned to Ayumu. She had been fine the first time. Before the man had dragged her back under with his quirk. Placing her back into that situation, and reliving it over, and over. His little mate struggled below him with her feelings, what she wanted, and in this state was useless to him. He hadn't wanted her to shatter completely. Her mind would have been easier to mold if she was just a shell of herself, but he didn't have the time to build her up from the ground, and a horrifying part of him wanted a few pieces of her from before to still be there. Without meaning to he had grown fond of her quirks. How open she was even when she didn't want to admit it. He didn't want all of her gone. What made her who she was had to stay. He just needed her to choose him. Not those heroes. And certainly not that annoying soulmate of hers.
子猫
Katsuki glared as he watched the heroes around him bicker and waste time coming to a decision. The women that had believed him stood in the middle, fighting his battle, as she was the only one that they would listen to. They weren't willing to risk his safety on an idea that hadn't been proven by scientific discovery, and since there was limited knowledge on the idea, they were stuck between those that thought it was worth it, and those that thought it was a crackpot idea.
His mark painfully dug into his wrist as he listened to their argument. Something was happening and he was just standing around being worthless. Gritting his teeth, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he pushed back the thought of sneaking out. Unfortunately, he needed the heroes on his side. Getting Izuka out with the least amount of problems relied on that. He was confident in his abilities but even he knew that against a group of villains he wouldn't last long. It irritated him to come to terms with that, but he understood his limits. But if they didn't shut up and listen soon, Bakugo wasn't sure if he could stay on that track of mind much longer.
"We should hear from Bakugo," Aizawa said. His sensei had been quiet through most of the arguing. Taking in the woman's words as he determined how realistic it was. The topic of soulmates was not something he was well versed in. Not having found his soulmate himself, Aizawa didn't know enough on whether or not this could be possible, but the woman in front of him was sure of it, and she had her own experience to back it up. Everything in him screamed not to allow another one of his students to be taken, but under the right conditions, it could work.
"What we should do is send the boy back home," a hero said from the other side of the room. "This is for the pro's not a student in training."
"I think Eraserhead is right," Best Jeanist cut in. "I've worked with Bakugo. He wouldn't make something up to join in on the search."
"If he can do it, it would be our best chance at finding young Midoriya," All Might said. He towered over everyone. The one who had been fighting for letting Bakugo come along.
"Let's hear him out."
Bakugo glared at the crowd of eyes that he now had on him. The spark of anger he had begun to feel was pushed down, snuffed out, as he focused on his chance to save Izuka. He wouldn't mess it up by blowing up now. If he was going to be taken seriously, he needed to show them that he was serious.
However, he couldn't tell them about the strange occurrence leading up to him figuring out that his Mark could lead him to her. The dream with those voices would stay with just him. And that vague feeling of having known one of them from before.
"I spent most of last night determining if what I figured out was in my mind, or real," he began. "My Mark seems to react when I'm going in the right direction. The more I followed its direction, the deeper I got into the city, I began to sense Izuka. I could feel her, the emotions rushing at me grew clearer, and I swear she wasn't far. I know it because it's what I feel when she's nearby or feeling strong emotions."
"Why weren't we told about their connection, sooner?" Mt. Lady asked. "That seems like an important detail we should have been told."
"We didn't tell you because that knowledge was to be kept limited," Tsukauchi said. "We don't know how much the League knows. Having it get out who Midoriya's soulmate was would have put him in danger, and a target on his back."
"Who's to say they didn't already know. They did try to kidnap him as well."
"As far as we know that was due to their wish to recruit him."
"None of this matters right now," All Might said. "We have a way to find her location now, and I believe we should let the boy lead us. As long as he follows a few conditions put into place."
"What conditions?" Bakugo growled, hating how he knew he wouldn't be allowed anywhere near Izuka. He could feel it in his bones that they would lead him away to somewhere safe and far away from her.
"You'll lead us to where you sense her," All Might began. "Once we confirm that it's the place, you will be led away by a couple of officers, and watched after in a safe place, while we make contact. You are to never confront a villain or wander off on your own. Your parents will need to agree to this as well. With you being a minor."
The limitations were annoying, and he wanted to argue, but this was his only chance at getting to Izuka. Burying his feelings on the subject away Katsuki nodded.
He was going to save Izuka.
He had to remind himself that all that mattered was making sure she was brought home safely. Soon she would be back where she belonged.
He kept repeating that to himself even as they readied him to go. It had taken all day but tonight he would have Izuka back. He couldn't bear the thought that nagged at the back of his mind. Wouldn't allow it to put itself into words.
He would have her back.
子猫
Izuka sniffled into the black fabric of Shigaraki's shirt. She dug her wrist into his side, keeping it from her gaze, as she tried to gain some semblance of reality. Her mind was spinning and the only thing grounding her to this world was Shigaraki, who had yet to let her go. A thought in the back of her mind nagged at her that she shouldn't be this close, couldn't trust him, but it was hard to believe that voice when he was the only thing keeping her from slipping away. The last week's events swirled around in her mind as she tried placing everything, getting a feel for what was real, and what she thought was planted, but everything fit so perfectly, the only thing that didn't make sense was how much she had done in that span of time. Instead, a single moment planted in her mind, solidifying that she could trust him.
Somehow, he was connected to her, and her mind in the broken state it was in, latched onto that fact. Recognizing it as the truth.
"Tenko," she whispered, the words wavering as they left her lips.
Shigaraki tensed. His hands slid away from where they gripped her as he stared down in shock at her. He hadn't thought of that name, hadn't been called by it, in so long it felt like a distant part of him he had almost forgotten about. No one knew that name except for himself and one other.
"I-I'm s-so scared." She shuffled closer to him, whimpering at the loss of contact, as her mind spun out of control. "W-what is wrong with my mind? Please, help me, Tenko."
His fingers twitched before pushing against her back, pulling her closer, as he curled around her.
This was his mate.
Somehow, she knew his real name. Was connected with a part of him that he had buried, had quite literally decayed away, but she knew.
"Shh, it'll be alright, little mate. I'll make everything better."
His fingers twitched again.
The need to kill the low life that had done this to her, Ayumu had pushed too far, had gone against his orders, roaring loud in his head. That familiar itch began to grow. It dug itself under his skin. Clawing deeper as his ruby gaze turned to where the man stood off to the side.
He noticed the close eye Dabi kept on him as the man had seemed to edge closer to the door. Shigaraki was pleased to see he would be taken care of if he tried to run. It didn't even register in his mind that he should probably feel some kind of unease at the others seeing him in a position like this.
It didn't matter at that moment to him.
All that mattered was that Izuka was calling out to him. Was reaching out to him to help her. He was the one that she clutched desperately to. She was the one that knew a part of him that he had kept a secret.
At that moment two thoughts dug their claws into his mind.
One, Ayumu could only hope that he escaped because he planned to decay him slowly for what he had done. It didn't matter if he was operating on someone else's orders, or his own whims, Shigaraki would kill him. He would try out his mate's thoughts on his control over his quirk with him.
Two, if the heroes wanted Izuka back, they would have to pull her from his cold dead hands, because he wasn't giving her up easily.
She was his.
They would just have to come to accept that, or he would bring the world to its knees.
子猫
His Mark had exploded in a flurry of excitement as he came to a stop across the street from a run-down bar. Eraserhead had been given the task to walk with him, the man a pro in going unseen, as they walked the streets following Bakugo's mark. In his ear was a com, allowing him a quick way to tell the others where the target was, and start the next phase of the plan.
"Are you sure?" Eraserhead said. He blinked as he glanced over toward the perfectly innocent-looking bar. He motioned for Bakugo to continue to walk. He didn't want attention drawn to them.
"Very." He winced at the way it tightened around his wrist as he began to walk away. "The bond isn't happy with me walking away, and I can feel her. Better than before. Something is wrong., Different somehow"
The Pro's eyes narrowed as he calmly listened to the info given to him.
"Different how?"
"I- I'm not sure," Katsuki hesitated. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, as he tried to force her emotions to wash over him, welcoming them, but there seemed to be some kind of block. It wasn't coming as easily as it once did. Before all he had to do was seek her out, and now it was like swimming up current, as the water batted him back. "They did something. I know it. The connection is strained. What I'm getting from her is just fear."
"Perhaps that's all she's feeling, Bakugo," Eraserhead said, trying to be comforting. In a situation like this, it wasn't unnatural to feel fear, after all, it was to be expected.
"No, there's more, but it's just out of my reach. It shouldn't be like this."
"You did good, kid. Let us Heroes do the rest now." He pulled the teen into a dark alley where All Might, Edgeshot, and the two police officers that would take Bakugo were. In another alley were others, down the street a whole force was waiting, and at another location where they believed Nomu to be, were another unit. "Do as you promised." He sent the boy a knowing look.
Bakugo scowled, but moved down the alley, away from Izuka, as he glanced over his shoulder to where the heroes were getting ready.
子猫
A knock reverberated around the room causing those that occupied it to freeze.
"Hello, I got a pizza delivery here," came a male's voice. Izuka frowned, the information flooding her mind slowly, taking longer to process than it should. She felt Shigaraki tense, moving his arms behind her back, and underneath her legs, as he fluidly pulled her up into his arms, and up into the air as he stood. She could sense that something was wrong but couldn't figure out why a food delivery would be a bad thing.
She sensed as Shigaraki shifted once more, moving away from the door, as a loud crashing sound rocked through her bones, and caused a gasp to silently leave her mouth. A migraine oozed into her head as she shifted closer into the villain's embrace. Unsure of what was going on, and not trusting anyone around her, except for the person her mind had latched onto.
Around them, a flurry of movement activated. She could hear someone talking, a familiar voice, as Shigaraki leaped across the room away from the danger. He barely managed to avoid getting captured, not wishing to lose his grip on Izuka, as his mind raced against the fact that the heroes were now here.
Izuka had focused on the voice speaking. It rang inside her head. Pounded away at her memories as scene after scene flooded her mind. She groaned, beginning to claw at Shigaraki's hold, as she whimpered at the devastating memory behind her eyelids.
"You can't run anymore, League of Villains," All Might stated, as he raised his gaze to survey the room, falling onto where Izuka was being held in the far corner. He could see her desperately trying to escape her captors' hands. "Understand! Because we are here now!" He raised to stand as his deep blue eyes lit up with a flame. Izuka was within his grasp. He had to save her.
Izuka for her part was struggling with the splitting of her mind. At the sound of All Might's voice, it had begun to tear into two, the memories from before rearing up, taking over everything, only leaving utter devastation in its path.
Shigaraki struggled to keep a hold on her. It wasn't like she was trying to escape. She was clawing at her head, tugging at her hair, as she muttered the same line over and over. He tried to gather her hands, to keep her from harming herself, but he didn't have the gloves on anymore. He had taken them off as soon as the heroes came bursting in. Needing his quirk for a fight, but now it hindered his progress in restraining her. He watched as a dark aura seemed to leak out from her.
Bloodlust clawed at her mind. Remembering what her hands were capable of, the feel of blood staining the skin, it swam dangerously at the forefront of her thoughts. All Might had taken something precious from her.
Her mind shrank back against the knowledge, bringing on a physical reaction of trying to claw it from her mind, as she shoved back at the memories. They felt real, but there was a haze hanging onto them, making them cloudy, far away. Her thoughts struggled with the two ideas she had of All Might.
The murderer, and her kind mentor, Toshi.
They conflicted with one another. Didn't place together correctly. Like she was using the wrong puzzle pieces for the picture in front of her.
She wanted to rip him to shred. To pull him apart, piece by piece, and bring him pain, like he had caused her.
"I only snuffed out what was holding you back."
Her body stiffened. The scratching stopped. Shigaraki was able to regain his hold over her.
Her thoughts shuffled in a frenzy as she played those words on repeat.
She barely noticed when All Might took a couple of steps closer to the two.
"You must have been scared, young Midoriya," All Might said. His eyes were watching Shigaraki, not the chained, defenseless-looking Izuka, who he was sure would be glad to see him. "Do not worry. I am here now. I will get you out of here."
Shigaraki felt the way she shifted in his arms. Her body angled toward All Might. The muscles coiling, readying for action. A moment before she lunged, a vicious scream ripping from her throat, he had clamped his arms around her body. She kicked, flinging herself up into the air, looking everything like a caged animal.
All Might took a surprised step back as his eyes widened.
She looked feral, hate and anger warping her gaze, turning the emerald orbs into pits of darkness. A wounded screech filled the area between them as she collapsed to her knees.
Her head hurt. A blinding pain erupted behind her eyes as she screamed and cried as all she could think of was the dead body of Kacchan and the blood that stained All Might. She glared blankly up at him as Shigaraki took the opportunity to put distance between them. Even now she could see the shadow of blood that should have painted his costume.
"Kurogiri, warp over the Nomu's!" Shigaraki said, in a desperate attempt to regain ground on the heroes.
"I'm sorry, Tomura Shigaraki, the Nomu's were supposed to be in a fixed location, but they're gone."
With the fight seeming to have fled Izuka, Shigaraki flung her onto his back, giving him room to fight, as his mind raced on what he could do next. Luck wasn't on his side to win the fight, and he wasn't overconfident enough to know that if he tried it would end with him being captured, and Izuka out of his hands. No, he had to be smart, if he was going to get out of here with his League and Izuka.
Izuka, back in a numb state, wrapped her arms, and legs around him obediently.
"Enough is enough!" All Might yelled. He wasn't sure what was happening, but it wasn't good. His instincts were telling him he needed to grab Izuka and escape with her, but they also screamed that something wasn't right with her. That he wasn't the right person to be there for her right now. "Your game has come to an end."
"You think it's over? Don't be stupid. I've only just begun to play. Justice. Peace. You created a garbage society by lifting such ridiculous ideals. It's why I picked you All Might."
He could feel the memories long buried begin to shift and come forward when the older hero spoke.
"No one's come to save you, have they?" the stranger said. "You've had a hard life, Tenko Shimura. He'll be fine, eventually, the heroes will help. I'm sure that's what everyone thought as they looked away and ignored you." He stood over the small boy who lay helplessly at his feet. Broken and defeated. "The world shouldn't be so unforgiving." He reached out, holding his hand in the air, a silent act of help. Crouching slightly, he continued to speak, as red orbs glared up at him in distrust. "You didn't do anything wrong. Don't worry, I am here for you."
Behind him Izuka shifted, her head rolling, as she listened to a new but older almost gravely voice, one she hadn't heard in a while. It was comforting. It brought no bad memories or pain. She was drawn to it.
He was pulled from his memory. Pulling Izuka's hands tighter around his neck, he made sure she wouldn't slip off, and she understood his silent command of holding on tight. The game wasn't over. He still had a chance. The heroes couldn't be allowed to take her with them. As long as he had her, he still had a chance. For his plan, and himself.
"You will hand over the girl and tell us where he is now!" All Might commanded.
"Go away," Shigaraki hissed. "Disappear. You can't have her!"
"Shigaraki!"
"This is your fault! I hate you!"
Izuka sensing his discomfort, the pain rolling off him, the anger, buried her face into the back of his neck. Unease flooding her body, but that memory of Tenko kept her from fleeing. She had nothing else, the bond with Bakugo was gone, but there was still a reason with Tenko. She had to save him. That's what her mind repeated. He had told her she would.
She felt him react before the room was thrown into chaos. Grey, goop, spit randomly around the room, a horrifying sight of Nomu exiting from the suddenly appearing foul-smelling sludge. The sight startled her. A question built in her throat, but before she could speak, that same slime began to fill her mouth, entering her cavities, making it hard to breathe She panicked, her fingers digging into Shigaraki, but she could see the same issue happening to him. Her body exploded in the sludge, her breath stolen from her, as she reappeared in the next instant. Falling to her knees she choked and coughed, trying to expel the poison from her throat, as she desperately gulped in air. In front of her Shigaraki began to stand.
Around her, she could hear the shrieks of the League as they dispelled their sludge. Shigaraki stayed, knelt on his knees, facing someone new.
Terror took over Izuka's confused mind. She sensed his presence before seeing him. The power that radiated from him, and the natural pull she held toward him, Izuka was sure she would always recognize All For One.
"Master," Shigaraki said, bowing his head slightly.
Pushing closer, Izuka hid behind his back, burying her face into the dirt-covered fabric.
"So, you failed once more, Tomura," All For One spoke, as he moved closer. "But you must not be discouraged. You'll try again. That's why I brought your associates back with you." Izuka listened to his words. She could sense the wisdom he spoke with how he seemed to be lightly chiding Shigaraki while encouraging him to do better next time. "Even this child, because you judged she was an important piece on your gameboard." Standing in front of Shigaraki he held out his hand as he had once before. "Start over, as many times as it takes. I am here to help you. All of this is for you."
He was guiding him. Correcting him along to the better path. Allowing him to learn from his mistakes, rather than beat him down for them. Like a mentor, or a father figure would do. That horrifying realization hit Izuka hard. All haziness she had been feeling melted away with that one important fact that became apparent in her mind's eye. It caused a sick feeling to fill her stomach, but All For One had been the one to save Shigaraki. Not a hero.
"Ah, there you are," All For One said before she could think too hard on it. A rush of air swept the area around them. Shigaraki turned to provide Izuka protection against the wind. She hid her face against the dirt that had been thrown up into the air. The cool metal of the cuffs that wrapped only around her wrist now, free of the chains that bound them together, rubbed against her skin uncomfortably as she lifted them to protect her face.
Out of thin air, All Might appeared. She felt the now familiar blood lust begin to build in her veins at the sight of him.
"I'll have you return my student, All For One."
"I don't believe she wants to go with you, All Might." All For One raised his arms for the impact, pushing against All Might's attack. "I think that you'll find your student no longer wishes to have anything to do with you." The air kicked up around them, power building, as AFO shoved against All Might, and tossed him across the battleground.
Izuka was shaking. She could feel once again her mind splitting into two at the sight of All Might. She had begun to crawl forward, moving around Shigaraki, coming to a stop right in front of him.
What would All Might do if he figured out the connection between her and Tenko? Could she keep him safe? Or would he fall like Kacchan?
All For One turned, staring down at the girl as he motioned her to her feet. Legs shaking, she scrambled to stand up.
"I can feel the bloodlust that surrounds you. I can give you what you wish for. The chance to get revenge on the one who did you wrong." He held out his hand toward Izuka. Much like he had done for Shigaraki moments, and years ago. "Would you like that?"
Izuka felt her fingers curl, digging into the skin of her palms, as she watched All Might pull himself to his feet.
"Izu-girl!"
Before she could focus on All Might, All For One snatched up her hand, dragging it to eye level and revealing the one thing she had carefully been avoiding since waking up.
"He did this to you," All For One said in a calm voice. Like he was stating the weather outside. "Don't you wish to make it right?"
Any ground Izuka gained on her mind's state instantly crumbled away at the sight of unblemished skin. Clear like she had never gained a soul mark.
Shigaraki's eyes widened as he caught sight of her wrist. He forced his body to stay still. The urge to pull her away from his master was strong. It confused him. He shouldn't feel the need to protect her from him.
"I-," Izuka hesitated, but only for a moment. Pain flooded her chest, hot and boiling, as rage greeted it blindly. He was gone. Gone from her life. The absence of the mark was the final damning piece. She reached out, taking the offered hand, as hate-filled her body.
All For One closed his hand around her smaller one, pleased, as he pulled her away from Shigaraki and toward All Might. She stepped willingly, her gaze locking on the hero, who at that moment, looked crushed himself. Her vision wavered. Doubles flashed across her eyes. One the crushed figure, the other a proud and worried free man. One stood with her, encouraging her, while the other spilt Kacchan's blood in front of her.
"I only snuffed out what was holding you back."
All For One approved of the emotions flowing across her face as he reached to undo the metal cuffs around her wrists.
One For All flowed freely through her body. It emerged with her, greeting her like an old friend, as she breathed in softly at the feeling. Her hair blew up around her as Izuka activated her quirk, taking a step away from All For One, and toward All Might. Her speed picked up with each step she took, until she was meeting him in the middle, a clash of body parts, as Izuka attacked, and All Might defended.
"Izu-girl!"
"You killed him, All Might!" Her fist struck out, all the power she could manage shoved into it, as it connected with the ground behind All Might. He had dodged out of the way as he spun back around to face her.
"What are you saying? What have I done?"
"Don't pretend you don't know!" She struck out, faking a punch, as she swung her leg out in a high kick. It connected with his hand, inches away from the gaping wound in his side, a weakness Izuka knew about. "I can still see his blood on you!" Sobs wracked her body. Her movements grew sloppy, but she evaded the next attack, a move that would have had her arms wrapped behind her back if it had landed. In her mind, she could still see the blood dripping off his hands. It wouldn't leave her mind's eye. It echoed and forced the image on the All Might in front of her.
"I haven't done anything. You must believe me. They have tricked you."
"No!" she screamed. She flung herself toward him, her fist glowing green, as she aimed for his stomach. He activated his own power, moving toward her, hoping she would back down as his fist aimed for her head, but Izuka pushed through. She was past caring about her own safety. All she saw was the revenge laid out in front of her. Blinding her. All Might faltered, his hand-rearing back, grazing against her neck instead, hoping that the deeply rooted PTSD would knock her out of the killing frenzy she was in.
He sent a silent apology toward the girl as his hand wrapped around her neck, at the same time her fist connected with his chest, her aim off as he knocked her off course. She spluttered out a screech that caught in her throat as he raised her off the ground. Her hit ripped into his chest, causing a pained grunt to leave his lips, but he kept his hold on her as they both went flying back.
"How could you?" she gasped out between parted lips. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, drawing a wet path through the dirt that coated her skin. "How could you do this to me?" The tears fell harder. "I trusted you. I believed in everything you told me. Everything you stood for." She clawed at the hands around her throat, raising her wrist into his view, and showing the unmarked skin that he knew had held a mark there.
"Izu-," he stumbled. Confusion flooded his face, breaking through the crazed thoughts in Izuka's mind, as she clearly took him in. "What happened to you?"
The horrified tone in his voice registered in her mind. It caused her to falter as a new panic began to settle in her jumbled mind. There was a hand wrapped around her throat. She could feel the decay, the death, that waited for her. She scrambled back, shoving at the grip on her, as she called out in desperation.
"Te-," her voice wavered. The name wouldn't leave her lips as the memory of who had their hands wrapped around her throat overwhelmed her. She pushed harder, her eyes searching before they laid on Shigaraki across their destroyed surroundings. "Tenko!"
The bloodied All Might was merging with the All Might in front of her. She couldn't make sense of it. Overwhelmed she could feel the confusion and fear creeping in. All Might sensing the change let her go, no longer wishing to cause her pain, and wishing it hadn't been needed in the first place. Izuka scrambled away from him. Her eyes wide, pupils were blown, as she shuffled farther away from him. All Might raised his hands in a form of peace as he followed after her. His blue eyes were dim, showing the sadness, as he watched his student turn from a caged animal lashing out, to one full of fear and uncertainty. It broke his heart that she yelled out toward a villain instead of himself.
He had failed her.
She forced herself to her feet turning away from All Might, and the confusing double vision that he brought on, as she searched for Shigaraki. She wanted to know what was going on. Why did she feel like this? What was wrong with her? She clutched at her head as another wave of confusing memories washed over her.
"Let me help you," All Might called out. Izuka flinched away from him. His words from earlier still echoed loudly in her ears, telling her not to trust him, that he was her enemy. The small voice on Tenko saying she would save him echoed inside her mind. They chased after each other. Leaving only a small space left for words to be whispered to her. Telling her to trust herself. That she knew who would help her. To make the right decision.
That they were standing with her.
She drew into herself as she watched Shigaraki take a step forward, words caught in his throat, but he made no move to release them. All Might from her other side was closing in on her. Her breathing quickened. She didn't know what to do. She took a step away from the both of them. She caught the moment All For One seemed to disagree with the action as he made a move toward her.
No matter how confused she was, except for the moment of pure hatred, Izuka knew he couldn't be trusted. He couldn't get his hands back on her. She didn't want her quirk taken away again, and she understood subconsciously that Shigaraki would also force to take it away from her. And no matter how much her mind whispered to her, Izuka couldn't trust All Might, nor fight the urge to attack him. She needed to get away from all of them. To flee and run away.
That was when she caught sight of movement behind Shigaraki and the others.
A flash of light, a streak of blonde against the black sky, as another flash lit up a second later. Her eyes tracked the movement. Something in her chest stirred. They flickered back down toward Shigaraki. More confused than before. She felt an urge to run toward him. To go back to the comforting presence, she had felt with him only moments ago.
The sound of an explosion rocked the air around them. All For One froze in his pursuit toward her. His head glanced up and in the next moment, he was activating his quirk. Black tendrils began to bleed from his fingertips. Shigaraki sensing the movement from his master made a move to stop him before he too stared up into the night sky.
The figure had grown closer, along with a warm feeling in Izuka's chest, as she gained a clearer picture of who was flying toward them. Another explosion rocketed the figure higher into the sky. Her heart clenched. The empty spot on her wrist burned. Disbelief flooded her veins as she felt One For All activate automatically. Black tendrils lashed out toward her, but she had already shot up into the sky. They narrowly missed capturing her. She heard a shout from down below as she flew through the air. Her heart clenched, something in her soul disapproving of leaving Shigaraki, but a much stronger emotion drowned it out.
As she soared through the air, the closer she came to the figure, the more her brain screamed that this was just a hallucination. He couldn't be right in front of her, reaching a hand out toward her. Her fingers stretched. Izuka was sure they wouldn't connect. That they would just travel through, gripping at thin air, as she fell back down toward the earth. She thought of what she would do at that moment. Would she catch herself? Or would she care enough to even try? All she knew was the elation that bombarded her soul when her hand connected with something solid.
Bonus Chapter
Shigaraki felt the lose of Izuka. The devastation grew the more he thought about it. Watching her fly through the air, toward that menace, having chosen him over Shigaraki. He had been sure she acknowledged the bond between them. Had even known his real name. Seemed to trust him. And still, she left him behind, running off the moment she had seen the hero to be.
Anger burned in his veins. The itch under his skin was driving him crazy.
He stalked the night, roaming through back alleys, as he searched for his prey. His target had escaped during the fight, taking the opportunity Izuka's disappearance opened for him. Shigaraki owed the man and he didn't plan on giving up until he found him. He followed the man's normal haunts, moving from one to the other, knowing he would run into him eventually. Ayumu wasn't smart enough to leave town. He was a creature of habit, and Shigaraki knew he would find him here.
Laughter burst through the dark alley, a corner by an open door, music drifting out of it, telling him he had arrived at his destination. He scowled at the grating noise and leaned against the brick wall as he settled his gaze on the source of the annoying noise. Ayumu stood in a small circle of people who seemed to fawn over him. The laughter was coming from the women who seemed to giggle after every word he spoke. His scowl deepened. A burning desire to rid the earth of them all itched at him. But he was patient. He could wait. Using the shadows of the alley he watched and waited, until his prey broke free from the group, and wandered deeper into the depths of the alley. Toward himself.
Ayumu stumbled, grumbling as he caught himself on the brick wall, muttering before letting off a laugh as the sound of his pants unzipping sounded after.
Alcohol invaded Shigaraki's senses but he just wrinkled his nose before moving silently toward the unsuspecting man. It was a bad decision to go out and drink when you had a villain seeking revenge. Shigaraki would be sure to press the issue of being smarter in the future. Not that he would have a chance to practice.
Glass crunched under his foot as he stepped up behind the man.
"Naoki is that you?" he grunted, failing the seductive tone he was going for as his voice slurred.
"Not quite," Shigaraki said.
Ayumu swung around in surprise, his feet catching on each other, as he toppled down to the dirty ground. His eyes were blown with fear as he stared up at the towering figure. He shook, kneeling in his own piss, as stumbled over the words that caught on his tongue.
"F-fuck man. What a-are you doing here?"
"It's not the brightest choice to stick in a town where you've made enemies such as myself." He leaned over the cowering form, his hands tucked into his jacket, as he sneered. "Piss poor actually." His foot struck out, catching Ayumu in his side, as he collapsed.
"P-please, have mercy." The man whimpered. He hiccuped pushing through the sobs to save his life. "I didn't want to! I had orders to break h-her, man!" Straightening Shigaraki used his foot to roll the man over.
"Your orders were to follow my commands!" His voice was low, to keep their interactions private, but it was no less intimidating. "Do you know what happens to those that cross me?"
"God no! Please, let me leave. I'll disappear. I'll never come by again. Just let me go!" His voice, in his determination to live, had grown stronger. His words were still slurred, but they had lost the stutter altogether.
"I could have." His foot struck out again. "Would have, but you hurt her."
"Fuck that bitch, man. I was just trying to live! The old fucker would have killed me otherwise." The alcohol was flushing away as terror slammed through him. "I just wanted to live!" He broke into a sobbing mess as he pleaded for his life.
Shigaraki glared, his face pinching with the fury he felt, as his fingers twitched mid-air. "A shame you're going to die here then. For all your efforts to live and only for it to lead to this. I would say choose better people to associate with in the future, but unfortunately for you, that's not a lesson you'll get to learn. You shouldn't have fucking messed with her."
His hand struck out.
Ayumu could only watch in horror as the hand drew near. He tried to pull away, but he slid on the puddle of piss and fell back to the ground. Shigaraki's fingers closed around his face, a scream catching in his throat, but the villain's quirk activated, swallowing the plea, as he disintegrated away.
Wiping his hands, watching Ayumu blow away in the wind, Shigaraki couldn't help but feel that itch still under his skin.
So there was a lot going on in this chapter but I'd like to go over something. I know it seems like the bond with Katsuki disappeared but I promise not everything is what it seems! The Mark might be gone but everything will be cleared up soon! So just hold in there.
If anyone has any questions or worries I'd love to answer them!