The iridescent lights above us hummed softly as All Might inhaled deeply. His hands were laid on his lap, and every so often his knuckles would go white as he grasped at the legs of his pants. His eyes stayed away from mine as he silently contemplated what to say next. Tiny beads of sweat formed on his brow as I watched him. I felt myself growing more angry and impatient by the minute.

"If you don't want to tell me-"

"It's not that."

His voice had a harsh, almost angry tone to it. His face was soft, and full of regret when he looked at me.

"I just," he sighed sadly, "don't want to upset you."

I folded my arms.

"I just want the truth." I stated.

"I know," he looked down, "I know. I owe you that much."

He kept his gaze away from me as he slowly inhaled a breath between his teeth.

"Your Mother's death was my fault."

It felt as if the air had been taken out of my lungs.

"Wha-" I croaked.

He was lying. He had to be lying. I couldn't accept the words he had just spoken. His eyes were full of guilt and sadness as he turned to look at me. He had a distraught expression on his face, and it looked as though he was attempting to fight back tears.

"She was talented, beautiful, and a bit stubborn. You're so much like her, Miya."

My heart skipped a beat in my chest.

"You knew her?"

He nodded.

"Quite well. She was just out of college when she moved here. She traveled abroad in hopes to learn more about her Quirk, and to use it more accurately. She was persistent in her attempts to get someone to train her. She went agency to agency, and was turned down every time. And then," he sighed, "she tracked me down."

He became very silent. He closed his eyes, and smiled warmly. As if he remembered something that brought him great joy.

"She pleaded with me day in, and day out. I was never one to disappoint a pretty lady, so I agreed to be her mentor."

The smile faded from his lips.

"She was intent on training every day, but I wasn't sure why. She was already incredibly talented, maybe a little too talented. She could have easily been a Pro Hero all on her own, but she insisted that she was fond of spending time with me, and I enjoyed her company as well."

His features softened as he shifted in the chair he was seated in.

"Right before she met your Father she confessed her feelings for me. She was in love with me, and now, thinking back I-" he paused, "I think a part of me loved her in return."

I swallowed.

"Why didn't you tell her how you felt?"

He directed his gaze back towards the ground.

"It was the wrong time. I had to lie to her, and tell her I couldn't reciprocate her feelings. She was accepted to an agency soon after, and that's when she met your Father. I'd see her from time to time, but then our meetings came few and far between. I can only assume it's because she was pregnant with you."

My heart beat painfully in my chest as he spoke. Hearing the pain lurking in his voice made the ache worse.

"Then, there was an attack."

His hands began trembling as a red hot anger replaced the sadness in his eyes.

"I, of course, had the upper hand during the fight, but everyone has their weaknesses. This sorry excuse for a criminal knew of a recent injury I had sustained, and used that to his advantage."

He lightly touched his abdomen, and winced as if the pain still affected him.

"I was almost at my limit. My body was failing me. I was about to give up, and then she was there. Your Mother fought harder than I'd ever seen her fight. She was fighting not for her life, but for mine."

His sunken eyes filled with tears as he took a sharp breath in.

"She died protecting me. She thought she won the fight, and when she turned her back to that," he clenched his teeth together, "lowlife, he took her life. While I held her in my arms she whispered something I'll never forget."

I turned my head.

"What was it?"

Tears were now streaming down his cheeks.

"Your name."

For a moment it felt as though my heart stopped beating completely.

"I should have protected her. I'm so sorry, Miya. It's my fault. It's all my fault."

He hung his head, and silently sobbed.

"I failed her. I failed you. When you were brought back to the school you were on the brink of death. It was like," his breath caught in his throat, "I was losing your Mother all over again."

He placed his hand on mine, and squeezed it gently. His tearstained face shimmered under the humming lights, and he did his best to muster a halfhearted smile.

"I'm so relieved that you're okay. I swear to you that I will do everything, and anything I can to keep you safe."

"But my Father-"

"Isn't your concern right now. All we want is you to rest, and regain your strength. That is our top priority."

"I've rested and recovered enough. Let me fight." I argued.

He remained silent as I propped myself into a sitting position.

"Miya, I-"

"No," I snapped, "my Father beat me down, and broke my wings. He's been using me for years. He left me in the dark about my Mother. I know nothing about her. Not even her name."

His breath caught sharply in his throat.

"I had no idea." he said, sadly.

"Nobody likes to admit they know nothing about someone they should." I mumbled.

His eyes ventured away from mine as he looked anywhere but at me.

"Miya," he sighed, "I can't put you in a dangerous situation. Not again."

"It wouldn't be dangerous if I just-"

"No."

"Why?" I pushed.

"Because," he exhaled, "I don't want young Kaminari to go through the same thing I did when I lost your Mother. He loves you, Miya. He cares about you. We all do, and if something were to happen to you-"

My body ached slightly as I stood, and wrapped my arms around All Might's scrawny neck. His body became very tense, and he remained motionless.

"She knows you'll keep me safe."

His body began trembling once more as he pulled me into a tight embrace. He pulled away gently, but kept a firm grip on my shoulders. Unshed tears sparkled in the corners of his eyes as he looked at me.

"What is it?"

"It's just," he shook his head, "nothing."

He smiled warmly, but as he did his lower lip began to tremble.

"Will you tell me about her?"

He pulled me into another embrace. This one was softer, and more comforting than the last.

"Of course," he whispered, "whatever you want to know."

I lowered myself to the edge of the bed feeling overwhelmed, and exhausted.

"Tell me everything." I said, wrapping myself up in the thin, white sheet.

Howdy everybody!

I'm so sorry for the delay in posting! It's the holiday season, and it's always such a busy time for me. I'm hoping to keep posting weekly, but there's a chance there's going to be a gap between this chapter and the next. Please know that even though there's delays I am still working on the next chapter. I'm not giving up on this fic at all. It's gotten such great reviews, and I'm really proud of the direction it's taken!

To everybody that's read, reviewed, and/or followed me, and the fic, THANK YOU! All of the kind words, be them on here, Facebook, or elsewhere, keeps me writing. I appreciate every single one of you!