Chapter 9
Once Stain was contained, Kaiya, Todoroki, Midoriya and Iida were taken to the nearest hospital. Midoriya's legs and arm were pretty damaged, along with Iida's. "I wonder if he let us live on purpose? We're all pretty beat up." Kaiya mumbled to herself in her hospital bed.
"He really only wanted to murder Iida; but Iidastood tall." Todoroki mused next to her in his own bed.
"That's not true." Iida argued gently before Gran Torino and Manual entered the room.
"You idiot! I could yell at you for hours right now." The elderly hero chastised the crippled Midoriya.
"I know...I'm sorry."
"Before I do, you all have a visitor." Torino introduced a larger, dog-like man into the room. "This is the Hosu Chief of Police, Tsuragame. Todoroki and Iida rose in respect, but Kaiya and Midoriya's injuries prevented them from doing so.
"So these are the UA students who took down the Hero Killer Stain?" Tsuragame asked. "Stain has some serious injuries, broken bones and burns to name a few. He is in the hospital under strict guard."
"Why is he here?" Kaiya thought to herself.
"Here is a lesson already taught to you. When Quirks became a norm, the police sought to maintain a status quo. We wouldn't use Quirks as weapons. But when hero's came in, if they were licensed we were okay with the Quirks being used as such."
"Is there a point sir? My morphine is beginning to kick in." Kaiya groaned.
"Going up against the Hero Killer Stain or not, none of you had the authority to harm the villain." He answered Kaiya. "That means, you four and your supervisors should receive harsh punishments for this gross abuse of power.
"Now wait a minute. If Iida hadn't stepped in, Native would have been murdered. If Midoriya hadn't stepped in, Iida would be dead. No one even knew Stain was in Hosu. Are you saying we should've just stood by and watched people die?" Todoroki asked, a clear frustration evident in his voice.
"Wait a minute Todoroki." Kaiya told him before Tsuragame asked him a question.
"So it's okay to break the law if it goes your way?" Todoroki growled in response.
"Isn't it the job of a hero to save people?" Kaiya added, calmer than Todoroki would.
"This is why you all are not full-fledged hero's yet Young Todoroki. It is clear that Endeavour and UA have not taught you enough." Todoroki's eyes widened as anger coursed through him.
"You damned mutt." He cursed, pushing through Iida and Midoriya before Gran Torino stopped him.
"You'll want to listen to what he has to say to the end."
"What I just said is the official stance of the police department. But no punishment would be necessary if this were to remain a private affair. If it did become public, you'd be applauded but definitely reprimanded. So, if Endeavour was to take the victory, Stain's injuries would be able to support that story. No one would know about the work you kids did, but no punishments would be given. It's up to you all."
After a few moments of silence, the teens all bowed in a collective decision."We leave it to you." Todoroki said, bowing to the Chief.
"I know it's not fair. You won't receive the acclaim and fame for the victory; but allow me as the Chief of police, to thank you." Tsuragame bowed, earning a groan from Todoroki.
"You know...you could have led with that." Kaiya giggled at his embarrassment for his attitude earlier. The Chief and Gran Torino left, leaving the kids to rest. Kaiya's arm and thigh were wrapped up and she was hooked up to an IV of morphine, feeling the full effects now. "This stuff is amazing." She slurred happily while Todoroki sat by her bed silently, smirking at the loopy words coming out of his friend. "I was so scared, Todoroki." She whispered, her eyes cloudy with drugs and pain. "You guys were so brave." She giggled, seeing Iida and Midoriya gaze at her curiously.
"We all were scared, Ayumi, and brave." Midoriya told me.
"Kaiya. I don't like my last name." She mumbled, catching Todoroki's understanding eye. "Just...Kaiya." Iida and Midoriya almost started asking her questions but Todoroki put up his hand in her defense.
"Not today guys." He told them, seeing them back off to their side of the room. Kaiya smiled at him, one he returned slightly. They'd have to talk more about her past; but not when she was drugged. "We're going to be released soon to our parents. What about you?" Todoroki asked her quietly. Kaiya's smile dropped as realization struck.
"Shit. This isn't going to be good." She groaned, and as if on cue, Mr. Aizawa stood in the doorway, looking less than pleased with everyone in the room; more pointedly at Kaiya. "I'm in trouble." She whispered, pushing her head further into the pillow as if to hide.
"Todoroki. Outside with me. Now." The teacher ordered as Kaiya shot an apologetic look at Todoroki.
"Besides the obvious trouble you and the other three will face; I want to talk about Kaiya. Your father caught me up on everything that happened. Including the fact that he asked Kaiya about her past." Todoroki nodded. "So you know she's alone?" Todoroki nodded again. The erasure hero sighed and rubbed his eyes. "She isn't in my care technically, but when she got into UA, the school instructed me to keep an eye on her since she was in my home room."
"So you're not her guardian?" Todoroki asked him.
"No, but the school knows her situation and doesn't want to bother with the technicalities of guardians. She's been alone this long and survived; so they don't push it with her." He explained. He saw that the boy was still looking concerned, so he continued. "Kaiya is a smart girl, strong, but very stubborn as you probably know." Aizawa sighed. "No one knows about her childhood in detail except me, Nezu, and apparently you. We'd like to keep it that way." He said pointedly.
"Do you know where she lives?" Todoroki asked. "She said she takes care of herself now; but that could mean anything." Aizawa shrugged his shoulders; at this moment he looked more worn out than usual; almost like a father would be in this situation.
"I don't know; I have an idea it's a training facility near the school. As long as she looks fed, clean, and healthy; we can't force her to do anything or tell us anything. I assume she has a job that allows her to pay for food and clothing. It's not an ideal situation; but it is one she chose technically." The teacher explained. Todoroki felt irritated by the situation but his teacher was correct. She was sixteen, in a few more years she would be considered an adult anyway. His fists clenched at the idea that she's been alone since she was so young; but that is what made her so strong; she said so herself.
"I won't tell anyone about her life. I still feel….disgusted that she's had to live like this." Todoroki murmured, rubbing his neck roughly.
"She's safe with us. The school is her life now. Maybe even her family." Aizawa said.
"That's an interesting thing to say. Why wouldn't she be safe?" Todoroki asked but was rebuffed immediately.
"She'll be released to me after her morphine wears off. I'll take her wherever she wants; but I need to literally take her outside by law." Aizawa explained.
"All due respect sir, do you think it would be okay if my father and I take her to her home? She may be a little more...comfortable if I'm there." Todoroki asked. He didn't want Kaiya wandering around alone while the morphine effects wore off; but he was also curious as to where and how she lived.
"You think she will allow you to take her home more so than she will allow me?" The teacher asked, contemplating the idea. "I will sign her out. Then you can take her." Todoroki bowed and turned back to the room before the teacher stopped him. "Oh yeah one more thing. You four are in a lot of trouble with me about this Stain situation." Todoroki gulped quietly and returned to Kaiya.
An hour or so later, the boys had fallen asleep after the events of the day had finally hit them. Aizawa entered the room and noted the sleeping boys and saw that Kaiya was awake, staring at the ceiling. "Hey Kaiya."
"Hey sir. I'm sorry about today. We messed up." Kaiya told him, pushing herself further up the bed as Aizawa sat in the chair next to her. He nodded his head and took note of the bandages around her and winced. "I messed up."
"I appreciate that you are sorry; you all saved the city and a Hero, but you overstepped." Aizawa chastised her gently, his eyes serious as Kaiya nodded in agreement. "That being said; you did well."
"Thank you sir. It was terrifying." She admitted quietly. "I really didn't know if we'd make it out of there. I...didn't have a plan." She added shamefully.
"That feeling will keep coming back the more you fight, but you have to push through it. I'm proud of you...all." Aizawa cleared his throat as Kaiya smiled at him. "I know I'm not your guardian, but I do feel a responsibility to you Kaiya. Please think about something this dangerous before you decide to do it next time. I'd really like not to plan a funeral for my students."
"Yes sir." Kaiya mumbled while Aizawa got to his feet.
"Rest up. I'll be back in a few hours to take you home."
A few hours later, Aizawa wheeled the drowsy Kaiya out of the hospital and to the waiting town car. Endeavour and Todoroki stood by the car; both stoic as Kaiya got closer. "This couldn't be more embarrassing. I can walk you know." Kaiya mumbled, reaching for the car door but Todoroki opened the door first.
"They'll take you to wherever you want to go. I'll see you kids back in class on Monday. Stay out of trouble." Mr. Aizawa instructed, handing Todoroki Kaiya's bag. Aizawa turned and left the teens alone, nodding at Endeavour who grunted. Todoroki helped Kaiya into the car carefully and shuffled in beside her.
"I must leave for hero work. See to the girl, Shoto." Endeavour grunted, instructing the car driver to listen to his son. Todoroki groaned inwardly but waited for Kaiya to give the driver a destination.
"Just head towards UA." She mumbled again, not meeting his eyes. The drive was short but very quiet. Neither of the teens wanted to speak and Kaiya really didn't want to be in the car in the first place. They arrived at the school and she almost fell out of the car, she was in such a rush.
"So you want to end up back at the hospital? You have serious wounds Kaiya." Todoroki chided her, helping her regain her footing. She pushed him off slightly and glared at him as a warning.
"I'm fine, thank you. I appreciate the ride; I can take it from here." She snapped and clutched her bag to her chest. Todoroki stood in front of her, blocking her way with his arms across his chest in defiance.
"I'm taking you to your home. Where is it?" Kaiya shook her head and tried to bypass her friend but he didn't budge.
"Todoroki. Move." Todooki shook his head at her and stood in her way again.
"I will burn you." She threatened.
"No you won't. I already know what happened to you. What harm can showing me your home do?" Todoroki tried reasoning with her.
"I don't have a home okay?" She snapped. "I do not….have a home. I stay off campus at a nearby dojo. I work there after school and the owner pays me a docked wage to clean up the gym and in return...I get to sleep and shower there." She admitted. Her eyes were sad but her voice was angry. "I told you, I bounce around places. It works for me. Been here for years now. And no one asks questions." She finished and shoved past Todoroki roughly.
"Kaiya. I'm not trying to make you stay where you don't want. But, at least let me take you there." Todoroki's voice was sincere and pleading. Kaiya turned to him and melted into the heterochromatic eyes just as she did at his fathers' office. Todoroki didn't show pity in his eyes, no sorrow for her; just empathy. He understood; that's why he wasn't arguing. "Please?"
"No one finds out." She whispered as Todoroki nodded in agreement. She got back into the car and instructed the driver of the location. They rode in silence until a training facility came into view over the hill. Kaiya sighed heavily and pushed herself out of the car before her friend could assist her.
"You're stubborn." Todoroki stated, rolling his eyes at Kaiya as she gathered her strength. Kaiya growled and started her trek up to the gym like she did every day, gritting her teeth through the pain. Todoroki turned to leave but was stopped by her voice.
"You already know where I live, may as well have a look inside." Her eyes didn't meet his but her voice wasn't mean. "Come in for a moment?" She asked a little nicer. Todoroki nodded and followed her up the hill to the facility, going her pace as she was still weakened. Todoroki pushed the door open for Kaiya and felt a chill run down his spine as he took in the vicinity. It was a large dojo, clean and well kept thanks to Kaiya apparently. However, he felt as if it was still not fit for a home; it was cold and filled with training mats, punching bags, and barbells; not an ounce of personality in the room.
"Where do you sleep?" He asked calmly even though he was filled with frustration for his friend. Kaiya stumbled over to the far right corner of the room and opened a closet door to pull out her bedspread and a small pillow.
"It's not much; but it's all I really need." She tried, seeing Todoroki's shocked expression. "I haven't had much so I don't know what I'm missing out on." She knew that he was feeling sorry for her situation now because it was a stark difference from his own upbringing. "I'm okay, really Todoroki." She smiled, placing a warm hand on his. He turned to her despite his sadness, and he managed to meet her eyes warmly.
"I just wish I could help you." He said, rubbing his neck shyly. She smiled at Todoroki finally and touched his arm softly.
"Just keep being my friend; that's all I need." Todoroki's cheeks blushed but he managed to crack a smile at Kaiya.
"I'll see you tomorrow at training with my father." Todoroki said, turning to leave the facility. He said his goodbye and shut the door behind him. He didn't know what to expect, but Kaiya seemed happy. Even still, he entered the town car to go home with a heavy heart. He was happy that Kaiya trusted him enough to show him where she lived; but he could not shake the fact that he wanted to help her. He wanted to give her a proper bed, a proper home to live in; a place that she deserves after all she'd been through. He sighed heavily and ran his hands through his mix matched hair, exhausted from the day and the events that occurred.
"Something on your mind Young Shoto?" The driver asked, seeing evident exhaustion on the boy's face.
"A lot sir; but nothing I can fix." He answered quietly, earning a sympathetic glance from the driver. Todoroki decided to visit his mother tomorrow to ask her advice before training with his father.
Back in the dojo, Kaiya sat on her lumpy blanket and pillow thinking about Todoroki's reaction. He came from privilege she knew that much, but he didn't look down on her; he was just concerned. He left behind a feeling in her chest of relief. Someone finally knew of her past and her home life; she felt free. Todoroki became a surprising friend to her and she knew she could trust him to keep her secret; but maybe it shouldn't be a secret anymore. Endeavour had a point; maybe she should speak out more about the trauma and the abandonment; especially if she was to become a hero. It could be an encouraging story to let people know that no matter what your life throws at you, you can still be a hero. She sighed heavily and lay on her makeshift bed and yearned for the hospital bed she was in earlier as it was much more comfortable.
The next day, Todoroki sat with his mother in her hospital room and told her everything he had found out about Kaiya the day before. She listened intently and her innate mothers' concern was evident on her face when he finished the story. "What do I do mom?" He asked finally, ending the story. Her soft touch reached for her son across the table and squeezed his hand.
"She sounds like a very strong girl Shoto. I think just being her friend is all she wants." She answered kindly, earning a groan from Todoroki. "She's not looking for a hero."
"She said that." His mother giggled at his annoyance and continued talking. "She's so stubborn. She wouldn't even let me help her out of the car."
"She may be a stubborn person because she hasn't had to rely on anyone to help her; so accepting a charity from you may not go over well with her; even if meant in the kindest way." Rei explained, trying to gauge her sons' reaction.
"I'm not saying I'll buy her a house, but mom, she was living in a corner of a training dojo on a pillow and a blanket." Todoroki reminded her, sighing heavily.
"I know son, but if she doesn't want help, that's your answer. It seems like a personal connection is all she is really looking for; a friend since she's been alone most of her life." Rei explained carefully, her heart hurting for the young girl. "You say people are drawn to her?" Todoroki nodded his head. "You clearly are, so there must be a reason why."
Todoroki froze for a moment and thought about all the interactions he had with Kaiya since the start of school and a ghost of a smile appeared. "Honestly at first, I saw her as someone I had to take down. She came in first at the Quirk assessment test and I needed to figure out her weakness." He started but then sighed heavily. "But then I saw her kindness and her strength. She doesn't try to show off; she doesn't even have the confidence to show off even though she has all the skills to; she wants to help everyone because no one has helped her." Todoroki explained, remembering how she took down Stain with Midoriya and himself. Then winced at the memory of him taking over the first assignment they had together because he didn't trust her skills.
"There's more to this than you wanting to help a fellow student. You don't normally obsess over something like this according to your sister." Mom arched her eyebrow and Todoroki groaned inwardly. "Yes, your sister has mentioned this to me before."
"When I'm around Kaiya…..I can't...breathe sometimes." Rei smiled warmly at her sons' words as Todoroki ruffled his hair again.
"You like her son. Nothing is wrong with that." She said sweetly.
"I don't know what that...means." Todoroki admitted.
"Ask her out on a date?" His mother offered, shrugging her shoulders.
"I also don't know what that means." Todoroki mumbled.
His mom giggled at him and squeezed his hand again. "Just spend time with her. If it is meant to be, it won't feel like work." My mother smiled. "She sounds like a good girl, take your time and if it feels right; it is." She smiled, her small hand on Todoroki's larger hand.
"I don't know how to be around people. I don't surround myself with people."
"You deserve to be happy Shoto." Her eyes were bright at her words and he shared her smile. "Maybe you can learn from her too...about being around people."
"Thanks mom. I should get going before I'm late for training." He sighed, getting to his feet.
"Bring her around here for a visit when you decide what to do. I'd love to meet the girl who takes your breath away." Todoroki rolled his eyes at his mother but placed a goodbye kiss on her cheek.
"Take care mom. I'll see you soon."
