*sees that there are 25 episodes for Season 2* *grins maniacally* Let's do this!
But seriously, I can't wait to get started with this next season! I'm really really sorry for letting this story go so long without an update. TT^TT
Anyway, hope y'all like the season 2 premiere!
BTW, I'm open to suggestions for Bonus Scenes like the one I just put up in the Season 1 story. Or other kinds of scenes if y'all want. Just let me know!
God Bless and Good Day!
~The Lupine Sojourner
P.S: This is just a quick recap in italics before we move on to the episode.)
"Sweetheart…you did amazing! You held your own against all those villains and used your Quirk very well. There wasn't anything else at all you could have done, and don't let anyone or yourself tell you otherwise, got it?" he'd pulled back to lift my chin up so we were looking each other in the eyes and I could see how serious he was.
I sniffle and nod, tears leaking down my face. "I just…watching Mom get hurt…it hurt more than my ribs or my leg." I sob.
"I could say the same to you, Takara." Comes a very weak, muffled version of my mom's voice. Instantly, everyone turns to look at her. I can't tell if her eyes are open through the bandages, but she has her head turned to us. "Please do not beat yourself up for how you handled that battle. For your first real battle, you were great. The only ones to blame for how things turned out are Nomu and that disintegrating villain."
I squirm, picking at my sheets guiltily. I didn't deserve what everyone said about how I fought…I was useless! "But, Mom…I was trying to protect you, and I couldn't, and you got hurt and- -"
"Kara, stop. There's no point arguing with me. You couldn't have fought harder and my condition is not your fault."
I wipe my eyes. "Thanks, Mom." I mumble, hiccuping, which hurt a lot.
"Now, stop crying and call the doctor. I need to get these bandages off my eyes."
Dad stands and we exchange a worried glance. "Shota…there was a lot of damage to your orbital floors. Recovery Girl is on her way. Please, let's wait til she gets here and heals you to test your vision."
I hear Mom hum in thought. "…You're right. We should tell the doctor I'm awake, though." Her voice is a little shaky, which was understandable.
I don't draw attention to Mom's voice, continuing the conversation. "The police might want to take your statement, too. An officer stopped by and I gave my statement."
"I see. That's good. As a pro hero and teacher, they might want me to give my statement, as well."
I take a breath.
This was okay. We'd been hurt, but we were healing, we were together, and that's what matters.
Recovery Girl stepped into the room after a few minutes of silence. She was somber and didn't really say anything, walking to Mom first.
"They tell me your eyes were among your worst injuries." She says.
"That's right." Mom replies stiffly. Recovery Girl sighs and moves over to her.
"Well, I guess I'll kiss your forehead, then." Mom nods.
"...If you think it'll help…" Something about Mom's voice made me pause. She almost sounded...afraid, unsure of this would really help. I bite my lip. Mom was so strong, so brave, and yet she was chipping…
I guess I would, too, if there was a possibility I could be blind for life, especially when her Quirk depends on her vision. No sight means no Erasure, no Erasure or sight means no hero work, which might even mean no teaching...I gulp, praying that wouldn't happen. It would break Mom.
No one says anything as Recovery Girl used her Quirk. I notice Mom's inhale and stiff posture and frown. Did it hurt? Or was this out of fear of what happens after the healing is done and the bandages come off?
Soon enough, however, Recovery Girl withdraws and puts a comforting hand on Mom's shoulder before slowly walking toward me. I smile at Recovery Girl, noting her troubled expression, the way her eyes scan my injuries briefly before she stops where Dad had been sitting.
"Your ribs are your worst injury, right?" She asks, seating herself. I nod.
"Yes, ma'am, though my leg's a close second." I reply, grimacing a little. It had hurt so bad, having the bones set and wrapped in the cast. But at least I'd be better in a second. Recovery Girl nods, and she leans in, her lips landing on my abdomen. Instantly, a tingling, almost electric sensation courses through me, and I can't help an inhale similar to Mom's. It felt so weird…
What little pain wasn't taken by the painkillers was gone in seconds, and as it feels better, my eyes start to droop and I was suddenly exhausted. Before I know it, Recovery Girl moves back.
"I'm afraid that's all I can do for now." She says softly, and I swear there's regret in her eyes as she looks between us. "I'll tell the doctors I'm finished with you two and continue to 13 and a few other patients I like to visit before returning to UA." She says, getting out of the chair. Dad puts his hand on her shoulder, eyes serious and somber.
"Thank you so much." He murmurs sincerely. She gives him a small smile.
"Of course. I hope it helps."
"I feel so much better now." I call tiredly, grinning sleepily at her. "After a quick nap, I'll be right as rain. Thank you!" Dad manages a tiny chuckle.
"I'm certain, Tik-Tak." He replies. Recovery Girl waves.
"Glad to hear it, Takara." She calls over her shoulder as she walks away.
Eijiro, having stood by and watched even after Shinso had decided to leave, walks over. "Need anything?" He asks. "I can get you whatever." I tilt my head, considering. He was so sweet and thoughtful, not only staying with me in the ambulance, but giving up the opportunity to help more at the USJ just to make sure I was going to be okay. And even now, he was choosing to stay here and help out. I blush a little and find myself smiling happily.
"For some reason, I am craving either cottage cheese or chocolate pudding. I think I have to talk to the doctors first, though. Just in case." Eijiro nods, patting my shoulder.
"Sounds good. I'm just gonna get a water. Want one?" I nod.
"Yeah. Thanks!" Eijiro nods and heads out, and Dad looks between the two of us.
"I'm glad you're both okay." He says tiredly, sitting down and gulping the last of the now lukewarm chamomile tea.
The doctor then came in right in front of Eijiro with the waters, and he went to check on my leg, removing the cast (checking and confirming that the bones were well on their way to being completely healed, thank God) and moving my leg around to test the range of motion, which wasn't much of anything, so the doctor put my leg in a boot and told me to take it easy for at least a week or two. I nod, then he moved to my ribs and said they would stop aching in about the same one or two week window. I refrain from groaning and thank him as he walks over to Mom.
"Alright, let's get these off and see how much the healing helped your eyes." Mom nods and I can see her gripping her sheets tightly as he begins to unwrap. Dad moves over to her side, putting his hand on hers gently in reassurance. Mom blinks several times when the dim light from outside hit her eyes, which I think is a good sign. The doctor holds up a finger.
"Follow my finger, okay?" He says and Mom does. He nods. "Good. What's outside the window?" He asks.
"The other side of the building and the walkway connecting the sections of the hospital." Mom replies. Again, the doctor nods.
"Excellent. Now, how do your eyes feel?" Mom blinks.
"Dry and tired, but otherwise not bad, all things considered." The doctor smiles.
"That's good to hear. Now, you two need to get some rest and I should be able to discharge the both of you tomorrow." Mom sighs and nods.
"Thank you, doctor." She says and he nods and leaves. Eijiro hands me the water. I drink it gratefully. He then looks sheepish.
"My parents called while I was looking for a vending machine. I have to go home." I nod.
"Makes sense. They're probably worried." I grab his hand. "Thank you so much for hanging around." I add genuinely, smiling at him with slightly pink cheeks. "You didn't have to; I know you wanted to help more at the USJ." He smiles back and I swear there are hints of red in his cheeks, too.
"Hey, don't sweat it! I'd do it again, anytime, Takara. Just get some sleep and I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?" I nod.
"Okay." I don't look at Dad's knowing smile as Eijiro waves over his shoulder as he leaves, preferring to shift into a more comfortable position. I look over and see Mom already laying there with her eyes closed, Dad still holding her hand. Slowly, my eyes close and I fall asleep.
=#=#=#=#=
I jack-knife into a seated position, screaming and swiping at nothing and everything. I was only aware after I stopped that I had been screaming dad's name, and that someone was moaning on the floor. I turn on a bedside lamp and see Dad was the one moaning, holding his face. I'd accidentally slammed into his face, it seems. I lean over, worried. "I'm sorry! Dad, are you okay?" I ask and he sits up, still holding his face.
"Yeah...I'm okay. I just...wasn't expecting that." He replies, voice muffled. I lay back, embarrassed.
"Sorry." He smiles at me, dropping his hands. Thankfully, I hadn't hit his nose.
"Nothing you did on purpose, Tik-Tak." He assures me. "...You wanna talk about it?" He asks. I gulp and bite my lip.
"...Nomu killed everyone." I explain briefly. "In the classroom. I tried to help, but got killed, too." Dad winces.
"Shit, Tik-Tak." I sigh.
"It's stupid. No one died, everyone's fine, but...I still got a stupid nightmare." I felt like a child, heart pounding after a bad dream and hoping for my parents' comforting words and embrace. Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders, sitting on the edge of my bed.
"Hey, now. There's nothing wrong with having nightmares after an experience like that. Frankly, I sometimes get nightmares from the close calls I've had over my career." I raise a brow.
"Really?" Dad nods, squeezing me a little tighter reassuringly.
"Absolutely. Shota does, too, but they're less frequent." I blink.
"...Can you tell me about you and Mom's wedding?" I ask, yawning. It would distract me and Dad from things we'd rather not think about. Dad chuckles, swinging his legs up onto the bed to be more comfortable.
"Sure. Of course, Shota didn't want it to be a large affair, just family and a few friends, really. We had it in a tiny courtroom and in front of an officiate, since neither of us are really that religious. Shota and I agreed we didn't need to wear traditional clothes, so she wore a white shirt and her usual black pants and I had on a t-shirt that said 'tuxedo' on it and jeans." I laugh. I'd only heard this once or twice before and Dad sounded super happy every time. "Our foster parents were there and my foster siblings, as well as Nemuri and a few other close friends. We went out to a sushi bar afterwards and my parents paid for our food. Of course, we couldn't get time off for a proper honeymoon, but we had a house already bought and we, er, broke it in that night." I blush and snuggle up to Dad.
"TMI, Dad." I tease, laughing and poking his ribs. He nuzzles me.
"Someday, you'll be talking about this with your kids." He muses, poking my side. "May as well get used to it." I swat his hand away. That poke hadn't hurt, but I didn't want to push it.
"Oh, please." I yawn again while rolling my eyes.
"I'm serious. You'll find that special someone…" He smirks, wiggling his eyebrows. "Who may or may not have red hair...and you'll make a great family someday." I blush scarlet and bury my face in Dad's chest.
"Ddaaadd…" I whine, unable to fight the tired lilt to my voice, even when embarrassed. "It's not like that." I moan. Dad kisses my forehead.
"I'm just teasing, Tik-Tak. Go to sleep now, okay?" I nod, yawning yet again.
"Okay...love you, Dad…"
"Love you, too, Tik-Tak."
=#=#=#=#=
The next morning, the doctor came back in, scolding Dad a little for sleeping in my bed (with a small smile, though, which kinda negated his strict-ish words) and made sure we were still okay and found nothing wrong, so we were able to be discharged, the doctor handing me a crutch. "Use this when walking a lot, okay?" He says. "I don't want you to strain that leg too much while it's healing." I nod, taking the crutch. Mom denies the wheelchair and we three walk out, Mom and Dad holding hands and me not using the crutch.
Once we got home, Dad offered to make food and Mom agreed, flopping into a seat at the table. "Kara?" She asks. I turn and nod. "Can you help me for a sec? I need to plan out the next class." I pale.
"Wait...you're going to teach?" I ask. Mom nods.
"Of course. I can walk, I can talk, and I can see. Therefore, I'll teach." Dad sighs.
"Tsuma, we talked about this; you both need to take it easy today. There's no school today for the police to start investigating the attack." Mom nods.
"I know, Otto, but I need to get this done before I can really relax." I sit across from Mom and notice a notebook on the table in front of Mom. I scoot it closer to me and find a nearby pencil. Dad kisses Mom's temple and says something about making breakfast as he walks to the kitchen.
=#=#=#=#=
The day flew by fast and before I knew it, I was grabbing Mom's stuff for her and walking toward the classroom. I yawn. Last night had been restless sleep and not much of even that. I had my coffee in one hand and backpack making my ribs ache as I reach out with my boot and nudge the door open.
To say everyone was shocked was an understatement. I crutch into the room and make my way to the podium, waving my mug at my classmates. "Morning!" I cheer, trying to show we weren't that injured. Which wasn't exactly true, but it wasn't as far it looks. We reach the podium and Eijiro is easing my backpack off my shoulders before I even knew he'd moved. I'd told him about the crutch and boot this morning, mostly as a mock-rant with overdramatic terms.
"Mrs. Yamada, what are you doing here?!" Most of the class asks. Mom doesn't reply as I dig her few notes and pain medicine out. She might not keep class here long, but she has plenty of work to do. She'd need it. I then smile at Eijiro, who carries my bag and helps me to my seat. I blush and thank him as we sit down.
"Mrs. Yamada, I'm glad you're okay." Tenya calls, half-standing. I sigh.
"You call that okay?" Ochaco asks. I bite my lip.
"Well, it's a lot better than at the hospital last night. Recovery Girl stopped by to help us out. The bandages, crutch, and boot are kinda just precautions as we fully heal." I explain, just loud enough that I wouldn't have to repeat myself. Tenya winces.
"Oh." Before he can say any more, Mom clears her throat.
"I do have a job; my wellbeing is irrelevant." She grumbles. I pout.
"It is, but you're being stubborn about teaching." I grumble. Mom thankfully didn't hear.
"What's more important is that your fight isn't over yet." Mom continues. I pale. No way…that couldn't mean...could it?
"Wait...are you serious!? No way!" I whimper. Eijiro cocks a brow as a few murmurs ring the room. Mom narrows her eyes (I think).
"The UA Sports Festival is about to start." I gulp. Sit! They were seriously still doing the Sports Festival!? Eijiro leans forward, looking about ready to pop wth excitement. Normally, I would be, too, considering that this was the first baby step on the path to being a pro, but...but not right after a villain attack on school grounds, where said festival would take place.
"Let's go kick some ass!" Eijiro cries, elated. Kaminari halts him, pushing him back toward his seat.
"Wait a second…" The electric user begins to point out something, but Kyoka takes over.
"Is it really such a good idea to have the Sports Festival so soon after the villains snuck inside?" I raise a brow, too, but don't say anything. Mashirao is next to talk.
"They could attack once we're all in the same place."
"The news said, like, 70 or more villains were arrested, plus Snipe shot the leader a few times in the limbs. They'd be even dumber than they were at the USJ to try attacking the Festival, not with literally the entire world watching and hella security in place." I point out. I didn't like the idea of doing a competition so soon after being beaten to pulp by that Nomu thing. Not at all. Mom sighs.
"Takara's correct; the administration thinks it's a good way to show that the threat has been handled, and that the school is safer than ever. She's also right about security; it'll be beefed up compared to previous years." She gives the class a serious look. "This event is a huge opportunity for all students at UA. It's not something we can cancel because of a few villains."
"Um, why not?" Purple-balled-creep whines. "It's just a sports festival." I roll my eyes.
"Listen, it's UA students' public debut, and the first time pro heroes see us in action. You know that. Shut up and grow a spine, will yah?" I growl. He whimpers something I can't make out and remains seated. "Like I said, the Sports Festival is watched by the whole world, not unlike how the Olympics used to be. If you really want to go pro, you can't miss this opportunity." I continue, wanting to put him in his place. He gave me the creeps everytime I see or hear him.
"This chance only comes once a year, thrice in your lifetime. Aspiring pro heroes can't afford to waste this moment in the spotlight. So that means you better not slack off on your training!" She barks. We chorus 'yes ma'am!' eagerly. I may not be fully healed yet, but I can't afford to slack off. I need to be at the top of my game! Mom shifts her few pages of notes closer and I see her twitch in irritation. "Class is dismissed." She says. "Takara?" She asks. I walk up, ignoring the crutch, and gather her notes, slipping them between her casts. "Thank you. See you later." I nod.
"See you." She shuffles out.
"Wait, Takara, what all happened to you?" Mashirao asks, looking over my boot and crutch. I chuckly shyly.
"We-well, I ended up fighting with Mom. I guess the warp guy thought it would unbalance her or something. I, uh, tried to get Mom out of range of an attack and ended up with broken ribs and leg." I surmise. No need to scare my classmates with the details. Recovery Girl had reserved the worst of the damage. Eijiro glances at me, knowing just how bad I'd been hurt, but he chooses not to say anything.
"Recovery Girl help you?" He asks. I nod. Eijiro steps in, sending me a sympathetic look.
"Yeah." I murmur.
"Good." Eijiro puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Not to play off what happened, but I'm pumped for these games!" He cheers. I laugh.
"It's hard not to be." I reply, then look at my boot and frown. Would Recovery Girl be able to heal me enough for me to compete in time?
"We'll put on a good show!" Hanta adds, nudging Eijiro's shoulder, a grin to match Eijiro's on his face. "Then we're on the road to being pros!"
"Yeah! That's why I'm here in the first place!" Rikido chimes in.
"We get so few chances." Fumikage points out. "We have to make the most of this." As the rest of my classmates chat amongst themselves, I sigh and move back to my desk. I needed to get my backpack and stuff together, getting it ready for the next class. Eijiro's hand stalls me. I look up to see two concerned red eyes looking me over.
"You sure you're okay?" He asks softly. I smile at him, a slight tint to my cheeks. He was seriously concerned... I nod.
"Yeah...or, I will be by the time the Festival comes. I just hope I can actually do something, you know? I can't train that much right now, but I'm going to try to get at least something in beforehand." He smiles.
"You'll be great!" He gives me a thumbs up as he shifts his stuff for the next class, too. I blush a little and smile.
"Thanks."
"Everyone, I'm gonna do my best!" Comes Ochaco's voice, loud and determined. I raise a brow as a few people cheer back at her. What was up with her? She wasn't normally like this. "I said, I'm gonna do my best!" She cheers again. I join in this one, exchanging an almost worried look with Eijiro. Was she okay?
"You alright there, Uraraka? You kinda look like you're losing it…" Hanta points out, and Ochaco makes another proclamation 'for the people in the back'. It was lunchtime, anyway, so some of my classmates are grabbing their wallets and heading to LunchRush for food. I hobble out with Izuku, Tenya, and Ochaco. By the time I catch up, Izuku's already talking to Oachco, so I am content to hobble down the stairs and catch up as soon as I can. Eijiro comes up behind me and scoops me up, crutch and all, plopping me at the base of the stairs despite my protesting. I am blushing horribly. He was carrying me exactly like he had at the USJ…it was as if those rock-hard abs weren't under his uniform...
"Eijiro…" I mumble. "You didn't have to carry me." I blush redder at his grin.
"I wanted to." He replies. I ready my crutch, grin wobbling a little nervously.
"Thanks. For everything." He chuckles.
"Like I said, anytime."
"I want to talk to Tenya, Ochaco, and Izuku, so you go ahead. I'll find you when I get my lunch." Eijiro nods.
"I'll save you an endseat!" he calls as he walks off. I finally get control of my blush and wave him on before trying to go as quick as possible to catch up. Luckily, the group had stopped.
"-the money?!" Izuku's asking, staring at Ochaco in shock. I blink. Wait...don't tell me she's rich?! Or is that why she'd applied to UA? "You wanna be a hero so you can get rich?!" I raise a brow. That didn't sound like Ochaco at all. She had to have a good reason for that, right?
"If we're cutting to the chase, then yeah." She affirms, scratching the back of her neck nervously, blushing in embarrassment. It was so out-of-left-field for her...whoa...she then flinches and waves her hand in front of her as if to ward off reprimands or something. "Ah! I'm sorry if that sounds greedy!" She continues, then turns a little, hands on her cheeks. "You two have such admirable motivations. I hope you don't like less of me." I have to give her points for honesty, I guess, and smile as I crutch over closer. However, Izuku and Tenya are already replying.
"Not at all." Tenya assures her. "Your goal is to support your well-being, which is a perfectly admirable aspiration to have." Izuku steps closer.
"Mm-hmm. It's just kinda surprising." He confesses. I come up next to him.
"Yeah, but no biggie." I add, winking at her. "You're fine." Ochaco slowly lets her hands down a bit to rest on the back of her neck.
"Well, you see...my family owns a construction company, but we haven't gotten any work lately, so we're flat broke." I suddenly realize what her real motivation is; to support her family.
"Oh, I see!" I cheer. "That's awesome! You want to make enough money to support your family!" Ochaco chuckles nervously.
"Yeah, but...it's not really something I tell a lot of people about…" I blink. I'd forced myself into this conversation...shit. Now I felt horrible!
"Oh, sorry!" I squeak, moving back a bit. Ochaco grabs my sleeve.
"No, wait. I guess if it's you three I don't mind, but just don't spread the word, okay?" I don't really see why, but nod. It wasn't my place to ask; if she wasn't comfortable, I wouldn't tell anyone. I smile.
"You got it!"
"Hold on." Tenya chimes in. "Why don't you just work for your family's company?" He and Izuku go on to outline the benefits of having a person who could make things float, like selling all the heavy equipment, bringing costs down, etc, and I watch as Ochaco's face grows irritated, but not at the boys.
"They won't let you work for them, huh?" I guess. Ochaco nods.
"No! I've been telling Dad those benefits since I was a kid!" Her face falls. "But...he wants me to pursue my own dreams and stuff." I grin.
"So you want to pursue being a pro and plan to sign with an agency that will get you the money you need to support your parents!" I surmise. She cheers up a little.
"Yeah!" Izuku then moves to face me as Tenya claps, cheering 'bravo' and 'that's beautiful'. I roll my eyes, then turn to Izuku.
"You know, on the subject of hero motivations...you don't really have to tell us, Takara, but...what's yours?" I blush. I wonder what they'll think…
"Ah...um…" I exhale. These were my classmates. It was fine. "I guess I've always wanted to be a hero." I say, a reminiscent smile on my face as I vaguely recall the days I'd play heroes with whichever of my biological parents weren't busy. "If you guys don't know, the Yamadas are my godparents. My biological parents, um, well…" I swallow. It didn't hurt as bad now, but a throb in my heart came up whenever I thought back to my parents and remembered the way they died… "Anyway, I can remember playing heroes with them...up until I was five. Then, it was like the thought of all these other kids who go through what I've been through hurt more and more, and…" I wipe my eyes, unsure when they'd teared up. "And, well, I decided I was going to be the kind of pro who prevents tragedies like my parents. I'd be the person that protects everyone, including heroes, making sure they get to go home again." Remembering that lonely night when I made that vow to myself brought back all those emotions. All the heartache and determination and everything else. I grin at the three classmates in front of me. "So...I guess that's why." Everyone's silent for a few seconds, then Tenya starts clapping again.
"I had no idea!" He cries. "Takara, that's an amazing motivation! You're on Uraraka's level of nobel and grounded aspirations for heroes to have!" I blush scarlet.
"O-oh! Wow! I...you really think so?" I ask stupidly, chuckling awkwardly. Izuku leans forward.
"Hey...I think I vaguely remember reading about your parents…" I blink, then manage a smirk through my slight shock.
"Why am I not surprised?" I tease, then wave him on. "Go ahead." Izuku swallows.
"Were...were they the Elemental Heroes, Chikyu and Mizu?" I nod, swallowing. They'd chosen the Kanji names of the elements they controlled as their hero names. Clever, really.
"Those are the ones." I reply. "They had a joint agency and split the patrol schedule so someone could always be home with me." The three smile.
"Wow!" Ochaco replies. "...If I can ask, do you remember them?" I blink. Didn't expect that question.
"Um...kinda. I remember playing heroes, and tag, and stuff, but...I only have vague memories. Nothing really." Before anyone can reply, All Might appears in the hall.
"Young Midoriya is here!" He cheers, then notices me. "Oh, and I see Young Yamada is faring well after Recovery Girl visited." I nod, smiling.
"Yeah, I'm getting there" He holds a thumb up.
"Glad to hear it!" He then holds up what I assume is his lunch box when Izuku asks what All Might's doing.
"Lunch!" All Might replies. "You wanna eat with me?" I exchange a glance with Izuku, nodding subtly. Tenya does the same and Izuku nods, affirming that he wanted to verbally, as well, jogging up to All Might. I raise a brow, but join the others when Tenya suggests we all go get lunch.
I let Ochaco float me down the stairs with Tenya keeping a grip on me to make sure I don't go too high. I laugh and let them help me. It didn't feel the same as when Eijiro did it...but, in essence, they're all doing the same thing; helping a friend.
So...why did Eijiro carrying me feel so different? Why'd Eijiro make me blush and not Tenya holding my good ankle to guide me down the stairs?
And why does Eijiro seem somehow more attractive than all the other young men in 1-A?! Dear Lord I need to get my head screwed on straight!