Chapter 9: Breathe

Introduction

V/O (Katsuki[irritated]): Why are you here, AGAIN!?

V/O (Midoriya): Uhhhhh! Well, the writer wanted me to...so I am here?

V/O (Katsuki[yelling]): YOU DON'T EVEN MAKE AN APPEARANCE IN THIS CHAPTER!

V/O (Midoriya): Kacchan! Please stop yelling...You're going to scare off the readers…

V/O (Katsuki[yelling]): DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! IF I SCARE OF THE READERS THEN THEY'RE WEAKLINGS!

V/O (Midoriya):Kacchan!

V/O (Katsuki): Tch...anyway a lot happens in this chapter.

V/O (Midoriya): Really? Like what? You look like you're going undercover or something! Wait, are you doing something illegal?!

V/O (Katsuki): None of your business, nerd! And stop asking me so many questions!

V/O (Midoriya):O-okay!

V/O (Katsuki): Tch…anyway, I'm going into town to pick up yogurt…then picking things up at my parents. Might run into something while I'm out…

V/O (Midoriya): That still doesn't explain…

V/O(Katsuki): Ask me another question…I dare you [popping off explosions]

V/O (Midoriya): N-nevermind!

V/O(Katsuki and Midoriya): Plus ultra.

"Next stop, Kinau City. We will be arriving in 12 minutes."

The train jolted to a start again as it made its way to its next destination. Katsuki stared off into the darkness of the world outside the train. It wasn't really all that interesting, in fact, there was absolutely nothing outside but the dark silhouettes of trees and hills, pockmarked with the infrequent sighting of the faint amber glow of the occasional sparsely situated streetlights well below. Maybe it was nerves that kept his eyes outside, eagerly impatiently waiting for the lights in the distance to become more than far off glints, specks.

Everything felt almost too easy when he prepared and executed his plan of getting Hikari and himself out of the dorm. The first step was figuring out which hospital Hiroyuki was taken to. This was supposed to be one of the harder things considering the news report hadn't mentioned which hospital Hiroyuki was taken to. But, after looking up a few hospitals close to Tomiya Village, Hikari recognized the name of Kinau Central Hospital. Her face lit up as she recalled hearing that name every time the locals would talk about medical help, especially in emergencies, when she was younger. It seemed like the most likely considering the hospital was the closest one to Tomiya Village.

. The second step was calling Aizawa to request leaving the U.A. campus for the evening. That wasn't hard. He used the excuse that he needed to buy some yogurt drinks for his stomach, per request of Recovery Girl. To add more time, which he factored they would definitely need, he also mentioned needing to pick some things up from his parent's house so he would be out for a few hours. Aizawa seemed to have bought it, though it was hard to tell considering the man's voice never fluctuated and he was hard to read to begin with.

The third, most crucial step was obtaining an ID, which was supposed to be hard, but Kaminari made it way too easy for him. It was right on his desk when he visited Kaminari in his dorm– easy to swipe when Kaminari had his back turned and easy to leave the room yelling at him when Kaminari said something stupid. Of course, there was a chance Kaminari would piece together that he had his ID before Katsuki came over and then didn't when Katsuki left. Knowing the fool for a year and a half, he was willing to bet Kaminari would think he misplaced it. And even if Kaminari called him out on it later, he could claim payback for something idiotic the guy had done to him in the past. There were a lot of things Katsuki let slide, which made him think for a second if he was going soft. He squashed that thought quickly; he wasn't going soft, he just didn't waste his energy caring about it.

After all the pieces came together, everything went smoothly. He made sure Hikari was disguised, then stuffed her in his duffle bag. It worked getting her in here, it will work getting her out of here. He was relieved she was small enough to fit in it to begin with, otherwise this would have been a completely different story.

Everything went seamlessly and it bothered him. But why? If it went this well, then it must have meant he was doing a great job. Who was he kidding, of course he was doing a great job so there really wasn't anything to worry about. Still, it couldn't hurt to be on guard a little. Just a little though.

Katsuki glanced over to Hikari, who sat across from him. He had let her out of the bag close to the train station. He didn't feel the need to keep her in there the whole time because she didn't even look like herself anymore. Her long hair was hidden under a large, black baseball cap. Her eyes, and some of her face were covered by large sunglasses with blue and purple gradient lenses. She was wearing a large, black and blue sweatshirt with a hood and long black sweatpants. The sweatshirt hid the complicated craftsmanship–a complex network of straps and laces too intricate, or perhaps haphazard, to put into plain English. She wore the red sneakers he had bought for her to wear. Anyone looking at her would think she was a young lad. It was the best disguise he could offer her. It's not like he had female clothing nor was he about to go out shopping for them, either.

Katsuki also took the time to disguise himself. After all, he didn't need to attract attention toward them. He was well known and this wasn't the time to have eyes on him, especially when he was sneaking a wrongfully accused criminal to see her brother. He wore sunglasses, just like Hikari's, except his lenses were a gradient of red, orange, and yellow and he had his pushed up on top of his head. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt, hood up, and ripped blackish-blue jeans. He had an orange neck-covering resting around his neck, the bottom tucked under his sweatshirt. He had on his own black and red sneakers.

Katsuki kept his eyes on her. It wasn't like she was doing anything worth staring at, she was sitting there staring out the window, but Katsuki couldn't help but be drawn to her posture and her facial expression. It was all too familiar to him now and the familiarity brought with it undesirable nostalgia. She had her knees brought up to her chest and was hugging them tightly. Her face was relaxed, except for the right side of her lip she was biting down on, barely noticeable but there. Her eyes were trained on the window; they were empty and devoid of anything.

He scowled and nudged Hikari's foot with his own. The train on the tracks was loud and she looked like she wasn't going to hear him call out to her anyway. She snapped out of whatever trance she was in and started gripping the sweatpants like it did her wrong, eyes wide, staring daggers at the darkness outside, like maybe if she tried hard enough she'd find something–finally exhibiting normal nervous behavior. It took three days of psychological torture to get her body language down. It annoyed him, but at the same time felt like an accomplishment.

"We're almost there…get it together…" Katsuki said, keeping his voice down so only Hikari could hear.

Hikari blinked before realizing she must have done something wrong and nodded. She was in a bit of a daze and was just going through the motions. Now gripping her clothing, she began twiddling her fingers and moving her attention to the window and back to her hands every few seconds now. Then her eyes moved to the ground, by Katsuki's feet. She watched him tapping his foot rapidly. Was he nervous? It was a pretty nerve wracking situation they were both in. Her mind began to spin like a top. What if they get caught? What if Despair or his lackeys are at the hospital waiting to ambush them? What if they recognized her? What if–

"Just breathe, no one's going to know who you are in that getup," Katsuki huffed.

Hikari's eyes shot up to meet his. He looked pretty irritated with her.

"I know...but–"

"Arriving at Kinau City. Please mind that you gather all your belongings before departing."

"Let's go." Katsuki pulled the orange neck covering over his nose and mouth, stood up, and headed toward the door as the train began to stop. Hikari took a deep breath in and out, then followed him. The two exited the train onto the busy street.

"The hospital should be a few blocks down this way," Katsuki said, pointing in the direction they were going.

Hikari followed, eyes darting in every direction. It was dark out so all the store signs were especially bright. Shimmering store front windows were filled with the current clothing trends, gadgets, toys. Restaurant fronts had realistic displays of the food they served, so realistic they looked were people everywhere heading to their destinations, be it grabbing a bite to eat, heading home for work, or looking to enjoy some night life.

The crisp, cool air finally indicated that the oppressive heat wave had broken. The air around mixed and swirled with the smells of cooked foods, exhaust, and a hint of frangipani.

People around here were chattering away, having conversations about their day, life, or

what they should do this evening. Cars honked impatiently and revved by.

The sounds, the scents, the lights, began to get to her, overwhelm her. Her eyes couldn't help but flick at the flashing lights and the sudden loud voices and laughter. She could feel her body tense up and, without even realizing it, she had stopped as the world continued to move. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of lights and people, watching them through a fisheye lense. Each gasp of air felt futile, it wasn't giving her the oxygen she needed.

Just then she felt someone grab her wrist. She flinched and looked to see Katsuki's irritated face in front of her.

"Idiot, I told you to breathe! And stop being so nervous! We're almost there..." Katsuki pulled her along. What was so hard about keeping up with him?

Hikari was tugged along. Somehow she felt calmer, even as she jogged to keep up with his pace. She was relieved he was pulling her along and a bit surprised by the notion. Her eyes locked onto his hand. She didn't notice before, but Katsuki's hands were big and rough–a testament of how much training he must have gone through and proof of a strong determination to be the number one hero.

/…amazing…he's amazing…/

After a few minutes, the two finally arrived before the hospital. Katsuki brought down his face mask.

"Remember… Not. A. Word…," Katsuki said before walking into the building. Hikari followed suit. It was a fairly big hospital and busy between the nurses and staff running around the waiting room and the numerous people either waiting to be checked in or waiting for a patient to come back. Hikari resisted every urge she had not to grab onto Katsuki, but instead invaded his personal space by sticking really close to him, so close they looked attached at the hip. Katsuki resisted the urge to yell at her or kick her out of his space. That would:

1.) Cause a scene they didn't need and,

2.) Would just escalate tension.

He kept telling himself she was like a little traumatized puppy–scared, clingy, and can't help it. He made his way to the front desk with her right on his heels.

"Hello, how may I help you today?" The woman at the desk smiled.

"We're here to visit Hiroyuki Nozomi….we heard on the news he is in critical condition…" Katsuki responded.

The woman looked surprised.

/Crap…do we have the wrong place?.../

Katsuki kept a straight face. Hikari watched his hands ball up into two tight, slightly shaky fists. He was also tapping his foot like earlier. Slight panic showed on her face.

/…please don't punch the lady…/

"And how are you related to him?"

Katsuki felt relief sink in and he relaxed. They did have the right place. Hikari gave a small sigh of relief.

"Last year he mentored us. Something his university did for credit. He really helped us out and we never got to thank him."

"That's very kind of you. Please sign in while I find the room number. It's nice to see him getting visitors. Poor thing."

Katsuki just nodded and signed in with a fake name. Hikari did the same.

"Okay, he is on the sixth floor, in room 644. You can use the elevators over to the right." The receptionist pointed.

"Th–"

Katsuki pushed Hikari forward forcefully before she could get any more of the word out.

"Thank you!" Katsuki said gruffly, to cover up Hikari's voice. He glared at her before they made their way to the elevator.

"Sorry…" Hikari whispered to him when they were alone by the elevator. She forgot she was given specific instructions not to talk to anyone. She was mute for all anyone knows.

"Just stay quiet until we get to the room…" Katsuki growled as the elevator dinged and opened for them.

Katsuki and Hikari made their way to the sixth floor. The hallway was empty and long. Just down this hallway, was her brother's room. Her brother, who she hadn't seen in seven years, was in one of these rooms. Her brother was here and each step down the hallway brought her closer to him. Each step the reality that she was about to see her brother sunk in, like a python's teeth piercing her skin and sending the venom into her blood. She didn't want to take another step forward, feeling like the venom would kill her if she did. So she stopped, grabbing Katsuki's sleeve, not wanting to be alone where she stood.

Katsuki looked to see her shaking, staring at the ground. It looked to him that she was going to crumble to the floor. He couldn't figure out any reason for her to be acting like this right now. He scowled.

"What now? He's alive, otherwise they wouldn't let us up here.."

"What if...he's mad at me?…" she whispered, her voice wavering.

Katsuki paused for a moment. It made enough sense that's something she would be scared about. He sighed.

"That's what you're worried about? So what if he is? It's not like he knows what you've gone through. Say what you need to say to get him not to be mad at you, crybaby. Also, let go of me! People are gonna start thinking we're some weird couple!" Katsuki responded.

Hikari let go, slightly embarrassed.

Katsuki clicked his tongue and continued on, Hikari following next to him.

"You will be in the room, right?"

"Yeah…"

Katsuki opened the door, seeing Hikari was still shaking and not making a move. The room was dark, only being lit by the lights outside the window. In the middle of the room was a hospital bed with a young man laying there. Katsuki entered the room and stood by the bedside, Hikari hiding behind him. The male's hair was definitely some lighter brown color, maybe a dark blonde and was short, pieces messily in different directions. He was wearing an oxygen mask, which was almost successful in hiding the sunken look in his cheeks. Dark circles presented under his eyes which were staring at something out the window; dead blue eyes looking just like how Hikari looks sometimes. He was hooked up to several machines.

Katsuki and Hikari stood there a moment before Katsuki noticed dried blood on his ear.

"Hey," Katsuki said loudly, assertively. This made Hikari jump and she hide herself right in back of him. Hiroyuki didn't seem as alarmed, as if he was used to the sudden noise or something. Hiroyuki slowly turned to look at Katsuki.

"Who are you?" Hiroyuki asked raspily, taking off the oxygen mask. His voice sounded so weak and his eyes were barely able to hold eye contact, making Katsuki freeze up for a moment.

"No one to you...but I brought someone who needed to see you…" Katsuki moved to the side. Hikari almost reflexively moved with him to continue hiding but stood there instead. She took off the sun glasses and hat, hesitantly, revealing a series of braids wrapped around her head. She looked at Hiroyuki lying there. Hiroyuki's eyes lit up.

"Hi...Hikari…" Tears began to fall down his face fast. Her face hadn't changed at all from all those years.

Hikari's eyes glistened briefly before she ran to him, embracing him in a hug.

"Hi-chan! Hi-chan!" Hikari cried, tightening her grip on him. .

"You're alive...you're safe...Oh, Hikari…" He leaned his head against the side of hers. He wrapped one of his arms around her. The other arm was too encumbered by tubes and wires to be moved.

"Hi-chan. I'm sorry…"

"What did you say? Sorry my ears got hurt so it's a bit hard to hear…" Hiroyuki replied. Hikari looked at him, tears bubbling up again.

"I'm sorry Hi-chan! I'm so sorry…this is all my fault…I escaped and he killed everyone and hurt you…" Hikari said louder, voice wavering.

"Hey, now...it's okay...the only thing that matters to me right now is being able to see you and knowing that you're safe. It's been so long…" Hiroyuki smiled softly, petting the top of her head.

"Hi-chan…" Hikari sniffled, and continued to cry on him.

Hiroyuki looked over at Katsuki, who was deliberately keeping his eyes off of them, sort of his way to give them space and pretending he wasn't in the room.

"Hey, kid; were you the one who saved her?"

Katsuki looked over, reluctantly. He couldn't ignore the guy.

"I–" Katsuki stopped and raised his voice. "I found her running and took her in. I wouldn't say she's saved yet either...that villain bastard is still out there."

"Hi-chan, Ka...I mean my friend. He's really strong. He's going to make Despair pay for everything he's done….and...I'm getting stronger too...my quirk...I don't have complete control yet but I am working on it...I'll get stronger!" Hikari stood up, flexing.

"I see, I'm so proud of you…"

Hikari looked at him, confused. Her whole world felt like it had flipped over.

"Wait…why aren't you surprised? Wait…does that mean you–"

"Sorry Hikari…but Mom forced Dad and me to keep it a secret from you…at the time, she was really worried about you: with all your talking about wanting to be a hero like All Might. She didn't want you getting hurt and thought your quirk wasn't a quirk of a hero…we believed her…sharing your feelings with others isn't useful in hero work…"

Hikari's mouth opened slightly before she clamped it shut. Mom was always against her being a hero, so it made a lot of sense her mom would hide that she had a quirk. But hearing it definitely hit differently. It hit hard and was unforgiving. She felt angry– angry at her mother for dismissing her dream, and angry that her father– and even her brother!- who were her biggest supporters, kept it a secret from her. These feelings were surrounded by guilt and disgust with herself for being angry at any of them right now. Hikari had her head down, tears dropping to the floor, her fists clenched.

"Wh–"

"You guys are a bunch of idiots if that's what you believed," Katsuki interrupted Hikari.

Hikari looked up at Katsuki, disbelieving as the tears continued.

"If she had the proper training to begin with, she would have definitely made it into U.A.. She's got the drive and her quirk is versatile. But you guys didn't. Instead those damn bastards trained her. Now she's a ticking time bomb, she barely has control and all she can do is share panic and fear to everyone, enough to paralyze you. So, you all were wrong. She can be a hero…"

"Katsuki…"

Hiroyuki smiled softly.

"It's one of our biggest regrets…we held her back…"

"Thats not–"

"GRAHGH…" Hiroyuki tensed up in pain, making Hikari and Katsuki freeze.

"Hey, friend kid; thank you for helping her...I know it's a lot to ask...but please...please continue to protect her," Hiroyuki strained.

"What are you–" Katsuki started before pausing. Slowly, his eyes widened.

"Hi-chan?"

"Hikari...I'm so happy...but I am only staying alive right now because of the machines...I don't really have much longer…"

"No….Hi-chan…"

"It's okay...really. I get to leave knowing you're safe...I'll be sure to tell mom and dad when I see them…"

"No…" Hikari hiccuped, tears were flowing.

Hiroyuki lifted his hand to wipe the tears away.

"Be strong…" Hiroyuki's body tensed up as he groaned in discomfort. Hikari froze. Her brother was suffering and dying right here before her. All the mental preparation she made for this moment didn't matter. It was real now, and this reality was terrifying. She bit the bottom of her lip that was quivering as she tried to hold back screaming and crying.

In this moment, she thought back to what Katsuki told her when they first met, that it wasn't too late to be the hero that gives others hope. Nothing was going to fix this situation, but there was something she could do for her brother, at least for his last moments.

She took a breath in, and resolved herself. She forced a smile.

"Hi-chan…look at me," Hikari asked. Hiroyuki looked at her. His eyes glowed a bright blue. Slowly, all the pain throughout his body dissipated. He smiled weakly, softly.

"Thank you…I'm sorry we weren't able to be together for long…I was really scared that I'd pass, worrying about you…but it doesn't look like I need to worry about you anymore. You've grown so much and were strong enough to not be influenced by those villains."

Hiroyuki took a breath in then out before continuing.

"Hikari, you will be an amazing hero. Mom was so against it…but after you were taken, she'd say every day that she regretted keeping you from your dreams…I bet she's relieved to see you working so hard…and that you're okay. So…don't give up, okay?" The life from Hiroyuki's eyes began to fade.

"I won't…I love you Hi-chan…tell Mom and Dad I love them too, okay?" Hikari smiled, shaking and trying to keep herself together. Hiroyuki smiled, before his hand dropped to his side and his eyes shut. The tears began and she silently cried, dropping to the floor. Katsuki stood there, giving her time to cry. Although he played out every scenario in his head, and this wasn't a surprise, it still left him in shock.

"Come on, let's go," Katsuki put her hat on her head as he made his way to the door. She put the glasses on and followed. As they headed down the hallway, a nurse with a tattoo on her ankle passed them and entered the room.