I decided to stay in my room all day the following day. Nobody but Bakugo knew I was back, and I was confident he wouldn't say anything to anyone. That, and he was not going to be here anyway.

I was able to sleep in, not that I could sleep to begin with. I had nightmares all night and only got to sleep without dreaming at around 4am.

I lay on my back, staring up at the ceiling. I don't know how long I lay there, but my stomach started to growl, telling me it was at 11am.

I sighed and got up. I got some clothes and a towel, and went down to shower. Nobody should be here today since it's a school day. I may as well take this opportunity to rest while I have the chance.

I stood in the shower as the hot water steamed up the room. The heat felt good, even if it was numbing my skin, causing me to turn the heat up higher.

Memories had started to come back in pieces, as dreams. I remembered the cops and Endeavor turning up at the cave system where Boss did his experiments. I remembered that he had actually cut someone up in front of me. How could I even forget that?! The woman with the butterfly wings...

When I had passed out, I had gone in and out of consciousness several times. Each time I had woken up, Boss was there explaining what he was doing. He had the butterfly-woman brought over to me as a demonstration. He had strapped her to another table and started cutting her. He had carved out her other wing delicately. Both her and I screaming so loud, I thought my throat would rupture.

I passed out again, and the next time I woke, she was gone, replaced only by puddles of blood.

I slid down the shower wall and pulled my knees up to my chest. I felt the tears and didn't bother stopping them.

I remembered waking up in my bed at Endeavor's. I remembered someone was in my room, but I still couldn't remember who. I don't remember what that person did to me, but that woman in Kyushu wasn't shy in sharing the details with me. Of course, she never told me who it was, either.

I closed my eyes and shifted so my face was in the stream of hot water. I sat there for a long time, not wanting to get out. Finally, I decided that I should.

I sighed and hauled myself up, turned the shower off and got dressed. I dumped my towel and PJ's on one of the couches and went to the kitchen. I may as well cook something for everyone for when they get back. I knew what their tastes were by now, so it'd be easy to cook something they'd like.

I cooked a couple of bulk spaghetti bolonese that I had promised Satou I would eventually do, and took a bowl for myself.

I finished it and took my stuff back up to my room. Well, this is boring. I knew 1-A was loud, but it doesn't really hit home unless they're not here...

I just played my games for the rest of the day, and tried not to think about too much.

At the end of the day, I started to get anxious. I knew the rest of my classmates would be back soon and they'd have questions. A lot of questions.

My phone buzzed and I picked it up. Group chat.

Tooru: Are you back yet?

Momo: Yes, I was wondering the same thing.

Ashido: You're at the Development Studio with Hatsume, aren't you?

Satou: Thanks for the spaghetti!

Mineta: Hurry up and get here!

Kirishima: Yea! We're all back! Work studies have been put on hold, so you can't be still at yours!

Jiro: Stop just reading this and reply!

Midoriya: We just want to know if you're ok...

I stared at the phone and debated replying, but I just left it. Then, I got another message.

Bakugo: You had better come down here. They're about ready to storm into your room to check if you're there...

I sighed and got up. I suppose I better get this over and done with. I went down, shoving my hands into my jeans pockets.

Once I got down to the common area, I just stood there, shifting my feet. Everyone was so caught up talking over each other, they didn't notice me right away. I smiled under my hair. I had missed this, though I'd never admit it to any of them.

"Hey! It's about time!" Kirishima came over and leaned on my shoulder.

"Aw. Don't tell me you were worried about me."

"Of course we were. A lot has happened and you disappeared!"

"Uh, I didn't disappear, guys..." I shifted my eyes away. "Not really, anyway."

"Your stuff turned up without you! That counts as disappearing!" Ashido pushed Kirishima out of the way and nearly bowled me over, wrapping her arms around my neck. I blinked and hugged her back, trying not to cry. I had enough of doing that today.

"You have to tell us what happened!"

"Uh..." I sighed. I wasn't going to be able to get out of it. "Fine. I'll tell you if you guys tell me. Deal?"

They all nodded and we went to the couches. Bakugo sat not too far from me, listening, obviously seeing if I'd slip up and say something I hadn't already told him. I avoided looking at both Tokoyami and Todoroki. I don't really think Todoroki noticed, but I think Tokoyami did.

After I finished telling them the same thing I told Bakugo, minus mentioning the something else, Tsu and Ochako talked about their experiences. Then, it was Kirishima's turn, then Midoriya. I was shocked about their experiences, and they were shocked about mine. Even Todoroki seemed shocked about it.

"That's crazy!"

"Crazy? Your experience was nuts too!"

"So...Nighteye...He's really...?"

Midoriya nodded.

I never met the man, so I couldn't say I any feelings about that, but..."I'm about that. It sounds like he put up a good fight, though. If that's any consolation."

"He was brilliant. Unfortunately, Overhaul just happened to be better."

I shook my head. "Overhaul..."

"He's in Tartarus now. He's never coming out."

I narrowed my eyes. "He should be dead."

"What?"

I shook my head. "Nothing. Sorry. I hate Overhaul, even now. He deserves worse than what he got..."

Someone thumped their fist on the top of my head. I grabbed my head. "Ouch! What was that for?!"

"Don't say things like that. You want to be a hero? Act like it."

I opened my eyes and looked around. "Uh...Yea. Right. Thanks, Mr Aizawa."

"We've all been through a lot. An early night wouldn't go astray. For anyone." He turned and left.

"I suppose he's right."

I looked up at Kirishima and raised an eyebrow. "You don't mean that. What are planning in that thick head of yours?"

He grinned. "How about a game of truth or dare?"

I lifted my hands. "Oh hell no!"

Mineta kneeled on the couch beside me. "Why? You scared?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "No. I just know exactly what kind of questions and dares you would try to get away with."

"So the rules will be Mineta's not allowed to say anything to do with his perversions."

"What?! That's not fair! Everyone else will get to ask whatever they like!"

I laughed. "That's what you get for being a creeper!"

He crossed his arms. "I still don't think it's fair."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. You get one truth and one dare."

"That's it?!"

"Take it or leave it, creepo."

"Fine, but whatever they are, they have to be done."

"Fine."

He pumped his fists.

I smirked. "You better choose the right people to ask, in that case."

"Oh, I already know who I'm going to pick on..." That grin he was giving me...

"Don't you dare..."

"Oh, I'll dare."

After the...interesting game of Truth or Dare, I went up to my room. Ochako got picked on about her crush, Midoriya got picked on about his obsession with All Might and Kaminari got dared to use as much as electricity as he possibly could. Tokoyami had asked me a couple of leading questions that had confused everyone but me. It made me think that Dark Shadow had in fact told him, but then I shook my head. No, he wouldn't do that. Tokoyami is smart and he did see my eyes, however briefly. Did that short few seconds make him realize? Or was it that I refused to hurt him or go near him?

I heard a light knock on my door, and went to open it. I opened it a little, half expecting Bakugo or even Todoroki.

Tokoyami stood there with his arms crossed. "We need to talk."

I stared at him for a few seconds. "About?"

"I think you know." He slipped past me, into my room.

Normally I would have given a smart retort, but he seemed too serious. I closed the door and leaned my forehead against it. "What is it?"

"I need you to look at me when you tell me."

Tears clouded my eyes, but I managed to keep them hidden. "Tell you what?"

"What really happened at your work study."

I frowned, stood up straight and turned around slowly. "What really happened? That is what happened. The blood, the experiments..." I shuddered. "The cage...I wasn't lying about any of it."

"There's something you're hiding. Don't try to deny it."

I shifted my eyes away. "Maybe so, but there's a reason. I don't think...I haven't told anyone, ok? Let's just leave it-"

I jumped as he grabbed my shoulders. I felt the fear in my chest, and tried to keep it out of my eyes, but I failed.

"You're trembling."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Yea...well..." My voice faltered and I had to look away.

His grip lessened a little, but he didn't let go. "Who hurt you?"

I blinked and looked at him. "What?"

"Someone hurt you." He was looking at me intensely. "Who was it?"

I bit my lip and couldn't stop the tears this time. I dropped my head and felt my shoulders start to shake. I felt my head hit his chest, and his arms just held me in place, so I didn't collapse.

"Who was it?" He asked it quietly, but firmly. I could tell he was mad.

I took a few breaths, moved my face to his neck and put my arms around his waist. I shook my head. "I don't know. I can't remember. Even some of the stuff from being in those caves is fuzzy..."

"But you have an idea?"

I breathed out a few more times. "Maybe, but I can't be certain." I pulled away and wiped my eyes. "Don't tell anyone else. Nobody else knows, not even my guardian. I want to keep it that way."

"You should at least tell Mr Aizawa or Recovery Girl."

I shook my head. "No way! Then they'd be obligated to tell Doc, and he'd take me out of here for sure."

"It didn't happen at school."

"No, but Doc would make sure he's around me constantly. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy for taking me in, but...I wanna stay right here. With you guys. Mr Aizawa and Principal Nezu. All Might and Cementoss...Even that idiot, Present Mic." I sighed. "I couldn't live with myself if I left because of this."

"Your health is important too."

I hesitated. "If you can talk Recovery Girl into keeping it a secret, I'll go see her. Deal?"

"I don't see how I have a choice."

I smiled. "Well...At least you don't hate me."

Tokoyami hugged me again. "I don't think I could ever hate you."

I put my arms around his waist again.

"Even if you did burn down that district near Kyushu."

My eyes snapped open and my body stiffened.

"Even if you did kill that man from the bar."

"Toko..."

"Next time you need help, just come to me. Don't do anything like that again."

I swallowed and nodded. "Ok. I will. Thank-you."

"Good."

It felt weird being at school, in uniform, sitting in class again. It felt like everything that just happened was a dream, and I'd woken up. If only.

"It's not that elegant of a question, but calculate the definite integral. If you know the answer, raise your hand."

I chewed my pen and looked around. Everyone seemed to be having problems with this maths question that Ectoplasm had given us.

I smiled. I always thought it was kind of amusing that he of all people happened to be our maths teacher.

"Midoriya."

"107/14!"

"Incorrect."

I went to put my hand up, but I noticed that Momo lifted hers. I'll let her have this one. As far as everyone was concerned, I was of average intelligence.

"Yaoyorozu!"

"107/28."

I nodded. Very good, Momo. Even after how I saw you struggle.

"Correct. Now, onto the next page."

I sighed and turned the page. I might be smart, but that doesn't make me hate maths any less.

Lunchtime, and while I would have preferred to be on my own, Tokoyami stuck to me like glue, forcing me to Recovery Girls office.

"Come on, man. Isn't this too soon?"

"No."

"There's no way you could have gotten her to agree this soon. No way." I stopped and crossed my arms. "What's the catch?"

He sighed and put his hands on my shoulders, pushing me towards her office. "No arguments. You're going."

"So bossy..." I muttered.

"You're not getting out of this."

I pouted, but let him push me to Recovery Girls office.

Once we were at the office, he opened the door and we both walked in. He closed the door and stood next to it, obviously making sure I didn't bolt. I looked around. No one else was here, which was unusual.

"What exactly did you say to her?"

"He told me the truth, dear." Recovery Girl popped her head around from behind a curtain. "Oh don't look at me like that, and don't be mad with Tokoyami, either. He did the right thing."

"But..."

"I won't tell anyone, as long as you're safe from any more of this kind of thing happening. I really should be telling principal Nezu, but since this is a delicate situation, it needs to be handled carefully. Come over here behind the curtain with me, dear."

I hesitated and looked at Tokoyami.

"I'm not going anywhere."

I breathed out, relieved. "Thanks." I turned and went behind the curtain with Recovery Girl.

"Now, just sit up there and relax."

I did as I was told and sat on the bed. "Won't anyone come in...?"

She shook her head. "No, dear. At least, not while you're here." She took out a stethoscope and few other odds and ends, before getting to work checking me over.

"Hey, uh, Recovery Girl."

"Yes, dear?"

"Uh...Why did you agree not to tell anyone?"

She chuckled. "There's a few reasons, but first is you still don't know who did this to you, do you?"

I shook my head. "My memory hasn't come back yet."

"If I was to tell Principal Nezu, he'd want to know who is was, when it was, all that kind of critical information. Information you don't currently have. Second, you'd need an examination, for which you'd have to go to the hospital and have someone unknown to you conduct the exam. That in itself is traumatic, let alone for someone of your age that can't remember a thing. Thirdly..." She smiled. "I've become rather fond of you, dear, and I believe you wouldn't want this kind of thing hidden unless there was a good reason."

I shifted my eyes away. "Yea well...I guess that's true."

"Yes, so I will be conducting the exam itself, and I will leave it up to you when you decide to tell Aizawa."

I paled. "You still want me to tell?"

"Of course we do. This kind of thing is horrendous for anyone to go through. You need support, counselling, that kind of thing. Now, I need you to lie back so I can check up on everything."

I hesitated, but did as I was told.

She asked me to do a few more things, and all I could think is what Tokoyami must be thinking or feeling, knowing and hearing what was being said and done here. The thought made me grateful as well as sad. He didn't have to be here with me. He didn't have to help me, but yet he did.

"Oh dear..."

I sat up slightly. "What? What is it?"

I could see Recovery Girl's face, and she was frowning slightly.

"What's wrong? Recovery Girl?"

She tapped her chin, then slowly lifted her head. "This might not be as simple as we originally thought...You're going to have to tell Aizawa sooner rather than later."

"W-why?"

"Hm. Let me finish this exam, dear. Then I'll tell you." She pat my foot and went back to work as I lay down again.

What could be so bad that I couldn't avoid telling Aizawa?

Another forty-five minutes passed before she decided to tell me what she was concerned about. When the words left her mouth, I sat in front of her staring, barely comprehending what she was saying. It can't be true. No.

You're lying! You're a liar! You're all liars!

"I need you to come back tomorrow, just to make sure. I really hope I'm wrong about this, dear." She pat my leg.

Her touch snapped me out of fairy-land. I shook my head and got up. I walked out from behind the curtain.

Tokoyami was sitting on the desk chair, reading something. He saw me come out. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"

Without responding, I threw the door open and ran down the corridor. I wasn't going back to class. I wasn't going home. I wasn't even going back to the dorm. I just ran and ran and ran.

By the time I was tired out from running so hard, it was almost nearly time for everyone to go home.

Breathing hard, I looked up at where I was. A lump caught in my throat once I realized where I was.

The tree from the sports festival. I gritted my teeth and started to climb up the tree.

I got to the top and sat down, legs pulled up to my chest. I leaned against the trunk of the tree and looked up at the sky. It was already starting to get dark? I can't have been gone that long...

I heard people shouting my name, but I just closed my eyes. I didn't want to deal with anything or anyone right now.

"Up there!"

Great...

"I'll let Mr Aizawa know we found her."

I groaned. So. Who was going to come up here and annoy me?

"I didn't tell them anything."

I grunted. "I'm assuming Recovery Girl told you..."

"No. She said it was up to you to tell me."

"Right. So what did you tell everyone else, then?"

I felt Tokoyami sit in front of me, but kept my eyes shut.

"Only that you'd been having a bad day with flashbacks."

"Heh. You're not entirely wrong."

"Come back to the dorm."

"Why? So everyone can question me and try to make me feel better." I opened my eyes and tilted my head slightly. "There's no way anything can make me feel better about this. About anything." I laughed and looked up at the sky. "'I'm at war with the world; and everyone in it'. No truer words right now."

"You have us."

"Hm?" I looked down again. "You guys?"

"Yes. 1-A might not know exactly what happened, but they know somethings wrong. They will eventually come to you and ask. And keep asking until you tell them."

I sighed and scratched the back of my neck. "Yea, you're right. I know you're right. I just can't say anything to them until I know myself. Even then..."

"You know Mr Aizawa's going to want to talk to you when we get back too."

I closed my eyes slowly. "Oh hell."

That night, Mr Aizawa did speak to me about the flashbacks. Seems Recovery Girl didn't mention to him anything about the other issue I had. It was a long conversation, and by the time he let me go, I was so tired and went straight to bed.

I managed to avoid everyone else and their questions. I think that had a lot to do with Tokoyami though.

Mate, the amount of times today alone that I had thought about how grateful I was to have him as a friend...

I stared up at the ceiling, thinking. I wonder if he knows how grateful I am to him?

I'd have to figure something out to show him. After all, he was my very first friend. I would almost say he's like my best friend. If I had the guts to say it.

I smiled at the thought. Yea, right. Like I'd ever be game enough to say that.