Agh! I did not mean to leave this story hanging! So so so sorry guys! I'll put up a few chapters now, and then sprinkle them in slower. So sorry again! I completely forgot I hadn't put the chapters up!

Hope y'all can forgive me and enjoy the chapter!

God Bless and Good Day!

~The Lupine Sojourner

He was a quiet kid, sitting alone at lunch and drawing, his purple hair hanging over his eyes. So, naturally, I introduced myself.

"Hi." I say, trying not to be too loud or too eager as I glance at his drawings.

He looks up at me. "What do you want?" He asks.

I refrain from showing emotion at his attitude. "I just wanted to say your drawings are cool." I take another look and notice a common factor; my mother. "Wow! You like Eraserhead, too?" I ask. He blushes and nods.

"Y-yeah. I like how she doesn't like being too well-known, and yet she married one of the most popular heroes. She's an interesting hero and I like her stealthy fighting style." I grin, pondering if I should tell him she was my mother.

"Yeah." I chirp instead. "You know, I heard a rumor about the Yamadas."

I muse, deciding to ease into it and have a bit of fun.

"Really?" He asks, his eyes holding a light of interest.

I grin and continue, munching on a rice ball. "Yeah. I heard Eraserhead has a goddaughter she had to adopt because the girl's parents died. The girl's about our age." This was so much fun! Especially when this boy's eyes go wide.

"I heard the same thing! I think her name is Takada- -or something like that." I was impressed he knew so much...and slightly unsettled. It was weird that he knew my name and not that I was standing in front of him. I nod, playing along for now.

"I think I heard something like that, too. It's hard to remember. Do you recall any pictures anywhere?"

He shakes his head, but then extends his hand. "No. By the way, I'm Hitoshi Shinso." He introduces.

I shake his hand, grinning. "I'm Takara Yamada." I then have to walk away as the bell rings to begin class.

It was halfway through the year, so everyone files into line almost seamlessly.

Shinso is at my side in an instant, though. "Wait...Are you saying…"

I chuckle. "Yup."

"Why'd you play with me like that?!" He snaps, getting angry. "Is this some kind of joke to you?"

I pale. That wasn't what I meant at all! "No! I'm sorry! I just didn't want to open a conversation with the topic of my parents, but then you were drawing Mom- -which is fine, by the way- -and I decided to help you figure it out on your own. It was stupid. Sorry." I let my head hand in embarrassment. I'd been rude and stupid. I see that now.

Shinso sighs, shuffling his feet awkwardly. "Takara, I'm sorry. Normally, people aren't very...accepting of me. I thought you were mocking me."

I shake my head. "I should have been more open and honest with you!"

He puts his hand out again. "Friends?" He asks.

I grin. "Friends."

Since then, I've been his loyal supporter, arguing against everyone that told him his brainwashing Quirk was something a villain might have.

=#=#=#=#=

I wasn't expecting to meet All Might this way.

I'd been dropped off after school at a small apartment. Mom and Dad had a big mission coming up they needed to plan for, and they hated leaving me alone for any real length of time, even after nearly five years since they'd adopted me.

"Okay, Musume, I love you, but I have to go." Mom had said. She was always so much more affectionate in private. I'd nodded and repeated her 'I love you', kissing her on the cheek. She then instructs me to be polite and not bother 'Mr. Yagi' too much.

Now, I was knocking on the door Mom had pointed out.

Soon, a scrawny, frail man with sunken eyes and hollowed cheeks comes to the door. He's all but collapsing, groaning and clutching his side as I walk inside and through the entry hall.

"I take it you're Takara?" He asks.

I nod, slowly walking behind him. "Yessir." I reply. "Are you okay?" I ask stupidly.

The man sighs. "It's just been a rough day, kid, but I'll be fine." He replies, still clutching his side.

"You're hurt!" I stupidly point out. I take off my jacket and walk closer. "Do you need bandages or something?" I ask. He sighs, sitting on the couch.

"I appreciate it, kid, but this isn't a fresh wound. Happened six months ago." He explains. "It only hurts because I keep pushing myself." I swallow as I tie the jacket around my waist.

"Oh. Sorry." I mumble.

Mr. Yagi groans a little, but then chuckles. "Hey, don't worry. You were just trying to help. Thanks kid."

I grin timidly, still unsure how to handle this guy. And Mom had left me with him until tomorrow morning. We sit in silence until he moves his head to look at me, still smiling.
"You know, I've worked with Shota, and Hizashi. Neither mentioned having a daughter."

I smile. Should have known. "Probably Mom's doing." I muse, chuckling, "Technically, they're my godparents, but...um...they're my caretakers now." I reply awkwardly.

Mr. Yagi sighs, easily picking up what I was hinting at. "I'm sorry, kid. Glad Shota has a kid. She always seems…"

"Tired? Lonely?" I finish, chuckling. Mr. Yagi nods sheepishly. "She can be, but I like to think Dad and I help a little."

"I'm sure you both do." He replies.

"What work do you do, Mr. Yagi?" I ask.

He considers the question for a moment, then sighs. "Well...can you keep a secret?" He asks. I frown, unsure why he was asking, but nod.

"I've been keeping Mom's birthday present secret for weeks!" I proclaim proudly.

"I need to know this will not leave this room, understand?" Mr. Yagi presses gravely. "I'm only considering telling you since you're probably gonna be coming here whenever your parents need someone to watch you. And your parents are my friends."

I nod. "I won't tell anybody." I promise.

Mr. Yagi takes a breath. "Well, I can become someone else. His name is All Might."

I blink, shocked. "Wow!" I gasp, eager to know more. "Is that how you got hurt?" I blurt, then blush and clap my hands over my mouth.

Mr. Yagi just nods, however. "Yes. It was a while ago now, so it's okay to talk about it." He explains.

I nod."Okay." From there, he suggests that I get going on my homework and I nod.

Mr. Yagi is such a genuinely caring person, I muse inwardly. He helped me when I needed it with homework, and then we ate salad with chicken chunks for dinner, as Mr. Yagi's wound messed up his stomach and he couldn't eat more intensely flavored foods.

After that, I helped him clean up and then we watched TV until about 9:30, when I began to grow increasingly tired, so I was told to brush my teeth and change before being shown to a small side room with a cot in it.

I thank Mr. Yagi genuinely before flopping on the cot and promptly falling asleep. If I had looked, however, I would have seen a rare smile on Mr. Yagi's face as he passed my room, gently closing the door behind him.

=#=#=#=#=

The next morning, I awoke and got ready for the day, coming out to find both of my parents already in the kitchen talking with Mr. Yagi.

"Dad! Mom!" I squeal, practically launching into Otōsan's arms.

"I take it you had fun, yeah?" Dad chuckles as I snuggle into his chest.

I nod eagerly. "Yeah! Mr. Yagi's awesome!" I reply happily.

He blushes, but smiles. "Thanks, Takara."

Mom looks at Mr. Yagi. "Thank you again, Toshinori." She says sincerely.

Mr. Yagi nods. "She's a good kid and I couldn't do any more hero work yesterday, anyway."

Mom nods. "I take it you told her?" She asks in a low voice. "About All Might?"

He nods. "Yes."

"As the #1 hero, there aren't many other people we trust this much with our Musume." Dad notes, grinning (like he ever stops grinning, really) and bouncing me on his knee. "We really appreciate it."

Mr. Yagi scratches his neck. "Thanks, but- -"

"But nothing." Mom interjects. "You and All Might are the same person, Toshinori. Disagree as I might about your celebrity status, I can't deny your results. This whole Symbol of Peace role you've committed yourself to has brought unquestionable declines in crime." I forget that Kāsan can be in a talking mood around people every once in a while, and I can't help smiling at her. She's awesome! "Now, unfortunately, we must be going. We have errands to run and a bit of training on the agenda. Thank you once again for looking after Takara for us, Toshinori."

...And we're back to normal Kāsan.

"Bye, Mr. Yagi! Thank you for your hospitality!" I chirp politely, waving on my way out. Mr. Yagi grins and assures me he'd love to do it again sometime and I can't help agreeing.

=#=#=#=#=

Since that day, five years ago, I'd been with the man I'd come to call Toshin-Oji (a combination of the Japanese translation of 'Uncle', Oji, and Mr. Yagi's first name that Dad came up with. Thankfully, My. Yagi liked the nickname.) a lot. Be it shopping with him or just hanging out while he recuperates, it was always nice to see him, especially since Mom went on a lot of missions lately with Dad, and they didn't want me alone after school for a long time.

Toshin-Oji was a lot calmer than Dad, but more emotional than Mom showed himself to be. It was refreshing, to be honest, though I loved all three adults equally.

Today, however, like some days, a villain decided to cut our hangout short. We were out shopping when we saw a villain running by with stolen money in his gross, muddy, slimy body.

Problem was, Toshin-Oji had already used up a lot of time as All Might today while I was at school. He didn't have time for this!

"Don't." I caution as softly as I could. Too late, as Toshin-Oji's muscles expand to go into All Might form. Everyone in the street watching muses that no heroes are swooping in to stop that slimy guy as Toshin-Oji steps forward.

"Seriously, there's no stopping him." Someone groans.

I sigh, but accept the bag of groceries we'd just bought and walk behind him as he announces himself. "Yes, there is. You know why?" He asks rhetorically. "Because I am here!" As we chase the villain (Toshin-Oji doesn't comment and my legs had decided for me to run after him), I see the man finally notice he's being pursued. And by All Might himself.

The guy gives an 'oh, shit!' expression and tries to make an escape, but Toshin-Oji is far faster, easily catching up as the guy then ducks into the sewer to avoid confrontation. Smart, but we'd still get him.

"Don't be All mIght!" I suggest as we run. "Let yourself recharge a bit before actually fighting this guy."

"This villain is no threat." Toshin-Oji replies, pumping his legs down the tunnel. I was falling behind.

"You're gonna exhaust yourself!" I cry worriedly. "You've- -"

"I'm aware I'm almost at my limit, but the- -" he pops back into his true form and curses as I help him up. "I guess you were right." He confesses, beginning to run again. The villain was getting away!

"I'll take the lead. I can track him!" I call back, finding him using the vibrations in the earth. It was a trick Kāsan had taught me. It was far easier to use earth to track people than move it. I quickly find the villain racing up the ladder and, after Toshin-Oji moves the manhole cover, going All Might again, we find him suffocating a kid around my age! "Seriously?!" I growl, putting the bag down and running over, trying to grab the kid, but the villain is slippery and unwilling to give him up.

The poor kid is terrified, trying to reach me. "Hang on, we'll get you out!" I call, trying to calm the poor kid down as I continue clawing at the villain.

"Have no fear. You're safe, son." Toshin-Oji calls. The villain and the kid look at us. The villain tries to swipe at Toshin-Oji, managing to smack me off him, as well, and I fall on my butt. Toshin-Oji's quickly at my side, dodging a few attacks, helping me up and putting me behind him. "Texas smash!" He roars, punching a powerful wave of wind into the villain, ensuring the guy couldn't keep up the grip on the kid. Once the kid's free, I sprint over and catch him. He's definitely my age, and unconscious.

I let Toshin-Oji handle the villain as I try to revive the victim.

Once Toshin-Oji has the guy in two bottles, he comes over, holding something the boy must have had on him. It's a notebook. I pause and look at it. It's full of notes on different heroes; their Quirks, their fighting styles, and their ultimate moves, in some cases. It was impressively detailed, especially concerning All Might.

"Quite the heroes fan, isn't he?" Toshin-Oji muses, chuckling as he signs a blank page with a pen found close to the book.

"Yeah. It looks like you're the favorite, though." I reply, patting the victim's cheek repeatedly. "Hey! C'mon, wake up!" After a few more pats, he slowly comes to, blinking in the sunlight. "Thought we lost you!" I muse as he becomes more aware. As he takes in just who he was in the presence of, he shrieks and backs up in shock.

"Well, looks like you're moving around alright." Toshin-Oji says as I move slowly toward this kid to try and help him stand.

"It's alright, kid." I assure him, smiling. "Here, lemme help you up." He, however, is too stunned to even acknowledge me.

I chuckle and wait for him to calm down a bit before trying again.

"I didn't mean to get you caught up in my justicing." Toshin-Oji apologizes further.

I roll my eyes. "Like you could know the villain was planning to attack him." I point out.

Toshin-Oji shrugs. "Still. I usually pay more attention, to keep bystanders safe, but it turns out this sewer system is pretty difficult to navigate!" It was an easy lie to accept, I find, so I roll with it as Toshin-Oji laughs.

"What's your name?" I ask. The boy's so overwhelmed at meeting what I assume to be his favorite hero, he can't get words out.

As usual with fans, I suppose.

"I-Izuku...Izuku Midoryia." He then stammers absently.

I grin, glad he was starting to function again. "Nice name. I'm Takara. I'm guessing you know who that is." I reply jokingly, jerking a thumb over my shoulder at Toshin-Oji. Izuku doesn't reply, only nodding mutely.

"You were a big help, the two of you." Toshin-Oji congratulates. "Thank you. I've captured the evil-doer!" He proclaims, holding up the bottles filled with gross sludge, the eyes closed.

I shudder.

Izuku then recovers a little and stammers about an autograph and finding a pen. I hand him the pen and the notebook.

"Thanks!" He says, then holds it out. "Please sign my notebook, All Might!"

I laugh. "Look inside." I suggest.

Izuku does, and shrieks again when he finds Toshin-Oji's signature already inside.

"Thank you!" He squeaks, repeating it several times. "This will be an heirloom, a family treasure passed down for generations to come!" He adds, overjoyous and bowing so many times and so quickly, I was sure the kid was getting whiplash.

I can't help laughing, trying (and failing) to contain it. It was too much, even if this wasn't the first time I'd seen this reaction to meeting All Might.

Izuku finally stops bowing when All Might gives him a thumbs-up and explains that it was time to both get me home (thankfully not revealing why I was with him) and get the villain to the police station. Toshin-Oji motioned to his back as he crouches and I comply eagerly, climbing into a piggyback position.

After all, there wouldn't be much time before he couldn't go All Might anymore today. He's already pushing it as is. A few leaps oughta get us close enough to the station and we could get a cab to his apartment from there.

"Stay out of trouble. See you around!" He farewells.

"It was nice meeting you, Izuku!" I call as Toshin-Oji prepares to jump.

"What, you're leaving?" Izuku asks softly.

I nod. "Yeah. Sorry, Izuku." I reply.

"Pro heroes are constantly fighting time, as well as villains." Toshin-Oji adds, crouching again. He had to make this jump count. "Now, stand back!" He instructs Izuku. "I'm taking off. Thanks for your continued support!" He calls as we launch into the sky. Having done this with him a few times (Mom berating him each time when she found out), I was already as flat as I could be to Toshin-Oji's back to prevent myself from getting blown off.

In the air, though, we were free. It was just us up here and, despite the fact that my stomach was still trying to catch up, the view was amazing.

Wait...what's that noise? "Izuku?!" I scream into the wind as I look down to see the kid clinging to Toshin-Oji's leg for dear life, his face comically distorted by the rushing air.

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you're doing?!" All Might demands, trying to peel Izuku off his leg. "I love my fans, but this is too much!" He barks, irritated.

"Wait, stop!" I exclaim, struggling to keep a grip on his back. "If he lets go, he'll die, and if you keep moving, I might fall off!" I yell in his ear.

"Oh." Toshin-Oji realizes, stopping. "That's a good point."

"I'm sorry!" Izuku has the wherewithal to yell. "I just have so many things I want to ask you personally! Please, All Might?"

Toshin-Oji sighs. "Fine!" Not five seconds later, though, I feel a drop on my cheek, and when we land, I get off my adopted uncle and wipe it off to realize it was blood. He has less time than I thought! We'd have to make this interview quick.

Poor Izuku is trembling from the adrenaline rush and the grip strength it took to hang on. "Not a very smart move." Toshin-Oji admonishes, walking toward the edge of the roof. "Sorry I couldn't get you all the way home, Takara, but if you two bang on the door for a while, someone will let you in." I nod. He had to go to protect his secret. Guess the interview would have to wait. I'll get Izuku's number and see if I can coordinate a meeting or something.

"See you both on the flipside." All Might adds. That sparks Izuku out of his stupor and he straightens up.

"Wait, not yet!" He calls desperately.

I frown. "Izuku, enough; he has to go. C'mon. I'll see about getting you a meeting some other time." I murmur, tugging at his jacket.

He stands firm, though, and I can't find it in me to continue. What was it about this kid that made him so desperate to talk to All Might? What is his deal? Curious more than anything, I let him speak.

"One second!" Izuku pleads.

"No!" Toshin-Oji replies, getting firmer. "I don't have any time." He adds.

"I have to know!" Izuku presses, trying to get his question in before All Might left.

I raise a brow, curious. He had to have a good reason for doing what he's doing, right? He has to have some burning question he has to ask All Might personally, something only All Might can answer...right? He seems different than most other fans, somehow. I can't place a finger on it… "Is it possible to become a hero even without a Quirk?" He asks. That gives Toshin-Oji pause. He doesn't turn around, but I can tell he's intrigued. "I'm a normal kid without any powers." Izuku continues, trembling. "Could I ever hope to be someone like you?"

The questions hang in the air as Toshin-Oji finally turns his head.