Ch. 2 Ten Months
7 Years Ago
"I don't understand…" Natsuko frowned in confusion. "Quirks aren't presents. Mama said my quirk was always inside me." Toshinori smiled wistfully with his eyes closed as he put a massive palm on 7 year old Natsuko'd head. Crouching, he was currently eye-level with Natsuko.
"Your mom was right. It's just that I didn't have a quirk inside me. So a very dear friend gave me one." Natsuko however wasn't going to let him off that easy.
"But HOW? I wanna share my quirk with my friends!" Toshinori beamed at her.
"Well that is very noble of you Natsu-chan but I'm afraid only this quirk works that way." Natsuko frowned. "This quirk can be passed to many people and each time it gets passed to someone new it gets stronger." Natsuko's eyes were shining in excitement.
"Can you give it to me?! I want be like you and be super strong!" She flexed her arms widely and Toshinori frowned.
"I wish I could Natsu-chan but I have to save this quirk for...a special person."
"But...aren't I special Toshi?" Natsuko lowered her arms looking close to tears and Toshinori faltered waving his hands back and forth. The last thing he wanted to do was make a 7 year old cry.
"W-well of course you are Natsu-chan! But you already have a quirk and it's already very special don't you think?" Natsuko smiled brightly wiping her eye.
"Yeah! The same as Mama's! She was soooo strong. I guess you're right. If I had One for...ummm"
"One For All."
"Yeah! One For All then I would be too powerful!" Toshinori gave a hearty laugh.
"Yes, I suppose you would be."
"Toshi?"
"Hmm?"
"Will you give One For All to someone who has no quirk like you?" Toshinori hugged Natsuko to his chest and she welcomed it, embracing him with all her strength.
"I'm not sure what will happen in the future but I think that's a great idea."
Present Day
Natsuko yawned widely while stretching her arms above her head.
"Why are we here at 6 a.m. again?" Natusko sat perched on top of an old fridge that Midoriya was attempting to pull across the sand.
"Young Midoriya is an ill-suited vessel." All-Might quipped. Midoriya squawked at the jab. "My quirk, One for All, binds the physical strength of many people into one! Your limp noodle body isn't ready for it. Your limbs would pop right off!" All-Might chortled.
"My limbs!" Midoriya screamed. Natusko yawned again, hopping off the fridge.
"Well, as fun as this is, I'm pretty sure I can count the grains of sand the fridge has moved across."
"Hey!" Midoriya yelled. Natsuko shrugged looking absolutely unapologetic.
"Just a minute dear Natsuko." Natsuko stopped and turned to face All-Might. "What is this I hear about you turning down my recommendation for U.A. High?" Natsuko's face reddened and she lowered her head.
"I-I'm sorry Toshinori...I didn't mean to disappoint you or disrespect you. I just sort of...wanted to do it on my own." Natsuko stood tall gaining more confidence as she spoke. She looked Him dead in the eyes as she said "I want to be accepted into U.A. High on my own merit-not by who I know." Toshinori grinned widely at her, putting a massive hand on her shoulder.
"I expected no less Natsu-chan." Natsko swelled with pride at his remark. Sniff sniff!
"What the-" Natsuko peered around Toshinori to see Midoriya with both his eyes and nose running. "What the hell?"
"I'm sorry! It was just so beautiful. I couldn't help but overhear! Please forgive me!" Midoriya wiped his face with his sleeve dramatically and went back to attempting to pull the fridge across the sand. Natsuko's eye twitched. 'So uncool.'
"Well, I'm off." Natsuko raised her hand, turning to leave the beach behind her.
"Wait! What about your training? Are you sure you'll be ready for the entrance exam?" Natsuko stopped and turned to Midoriya.
"Don't worry about me idiot. You're the one who has a quirk that could kill you."
"But...what IS your quirk?" Natsuko smirked at him and tuned again.
"I'll be just fine." Midoriya stood in awe of her. 'So cool!'
"All-Might, is her quirk that powerful?" He turned to Midoriya with a serious look on his face.
"Her quirk is the same as her mother's. I knew her mother and she had the strongest quirk I have ever seen. If Natsuko continues to develop her quirk then I have no doubt that she will one day surpass even her mother's abilities. Natsuko may come off as lazy but she works very hard to improve her abilities. Unfortunately, the nature of her quirk doesn't help the fact that she's not much of a team player. As a hero you need to be able to work well and efficiently with others. It's a...weakness of hers."
"I see…"
"Welp! It's time to get back to your training young Midoriya! This beach isn't going to clean itself!"
July 15th- Midoriya's Birthday
Natsuko dramatically pulled down the dress she was wearing as she stood at the front door of Midoriya's house.
"I don't understand why we're even here!" Natsuko grumped frowning.
"Why, it's young Midoriya's birthday!" All-Might smiled brightly.
"Yeah, I got that part but why are WE here?"
"Something tells me he doesn't have many friends." Natsuko scoffed. 'Pfft! What gave you that idea?' she thought, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Can you even hold that form long enough for this? I'm not explaining to his family why you're not all big and muscle-y anymore."
"Fear not, dear Natsu-chan! I know my limit and if necessary I shall GO BEYOND! PLUS ULTRA!" He struck a dramatic pose with his arms pointing diagonally to the sky.
"Yeah…" Natsuko sweatdropped. "But is it really smart to reveal to random strangers that you're associated with me and Midoriya?" He froze at that and scratched his head.
"Of course! I can always count on you be ever vigilant!" That was when the door swung open to reveal a plump woman who Natsuko could only assume was Midoriya's mom. She had green hair and wide green eyes much like her son. In fact, the resemblance was so strong she nearly laughed.
"Hello! You must be Natsuko and EH?! Who's this?!" With a dramatic cough, a much smaller Toshinori stepped forward.
"Hello. My name is Toshinori Yagi and this is my erm, ward, Natsuko Kukida."
"Oh! It's so nice to meet you. I know we spoke on the phone but I realized I never even got your name! Please come in." Natsuko bowed politely and then shuffled in, leaving her shoes at the door. Looking around, Midoriya's place was simple but homey. It was much warmer than Natsuko's place or even Toshinori's for that matter.
"My goodness you are beautiful! And I love this dress! You have great taste!" Natsuko could hear Toshinori's snicker from across the room and shot him a glare with as much killing intent as she could muster.
"Izuku! Where are you? Your friends are here!" Loud footsteps came from the hall and Midoriya barreled into the room.
"Natsuko! Toshinori! Thank you for coming! It means a lot to me." Midoriya smiled so widely Natsuko couldn't help but smile back.
"Well duh, if we didn't show up who would have?"
"Of course we came kid." Natsuko, Midoriya, Toshinori, and Inko spent the evening watching a summer TV special on heroes (of course Midoriya's choice), smashing a watermelon in the backyard, and playing a strategy board game (Inko and Natsuko won). Finally it was time for cake and presents. As Inko brought out the modest cake that she had obviously made herself, Natsuko wondered why it had so many candles. It wasn't until it was set down before them that she realized it had her own name on it as well.
"What?! I don't understand! My birthday is-"
"Oh relax dear! Toshinori told us your birthday was in two days. We three figured we could just celebrate your birthdays together!" Natsuko pointed angrily at Toshinori.
"You knew this whole time?! Is that why I had to wear this dress?!" Toshinori shrugged nonchalantly.
"What? I couldn't have the birthday girl showing up looking like a mess."
"And you!" She whipped her finger over to Midoriya who looked ready to run for the hills. "You knew too?!"
"Err...well sort of. We figured if you knew you may not come." Natusko couldn't argue with their reasoning but still felt upset she had been bamboozled into attending her own surprise party.
"Okay then! Let's blow out these candles!" Inko announced "On the count of three!"
"ONE" Toshinori yelled.
"TWO" Inko yelped.
And in unison they shouted "THREE!" Midoriya and Natsuko looked at each other leaning over the cake for a moment before they both gave tiny smiles and a shrug to each other. From opposite sides of the cake they blew out all 30 candles packed onto the surface.
"Yay!" Inko shouted snapping pictures like paparazzi. "Now time for presents!"
"Ah but I didn't get Midoriya anything!" Natsuko panicked.
"Oh don't worry about that. You guys coming is present enough and on top of that you had no idea we'd be doing all this." Midoriya smiled apologetically. "I hope you don't mind but I got you something." Midoriya ran off and then quickly returned holding a flat wrapped package. He handed it gently to Natsuko who only stared at it before looking up at Toshinori beside her.
"Well? Open it!" He laughed
"Oh! Right!" She carefully tore the All-Might themed wrapping off what was revealed to be a blue notebook. Inko snapped another picture and Midoriya took that moment to speak up.
"Its a hero catalogue! Like mine without the burnt part! I just put all the pro heroes since I tend to go a bit overboard and write down every person with a quirk that I see. I noticed you looking at it when we first met and since we're both going to U.A. I just thought that maybe you'd like a copy to have on hand but if you don't like it I can-" Natsuko reached up and slammed her palm over his mouth.
"I love it. Thank you Midoriya." Natsuko hugged it tightly to her chest. It was the first birthday gift Natsuko had received from anyone since her mother passed away and secretly she hoped it wouldn't be the last.
Christmas
A new school term came and went with Christmas around the corner. Natsuko and Toshinori had made plans to spend Christmas Eve at the Midoriya home but those plans fell through. All-Might was needed for an emergency a few cities over after an earthquake struck a small town. To make matters worse, Inko had a terrible cold. Natsuko walked side by side with Midoriya as an unusual silence fell upon them. With only two months until the entrance exam, there was no doubt that Midoriya's mind was focused on that.
"Hey, ummm…" Natsuko broke the silence doubting herself for the hundredth time within the last twenty minutes. Midoriya snapped out of his daze to gaze at her as they walked. "I'm sorry about your mom being sick. That must be hard." Natsuko couldn't really say she knew the feeling since she mainly relied on herself for everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning. Midoriya immediately began to shake his head waving his arms.
"Ah no! I mean, yeah it is but mom is always pushing herself so much. She deserves to rest. I can't help but feel like it's sort of my fault. I guess what i'm saying is that I should be picking up more slack since mom's been overcompensating because I've been training so much. I'm really sorry you and Toshinori can't come over."
"Er...don't worry about it. Toshi is busy with hero work anyways." Natsuko waved off his worries with a scoff. She stopped abruptly at the edge of the sand that covered Midoriya's training beach. "I have something for you."
"Huh?" Midoriya looked up at her in wonder. Her cheeks reddened significantly. "I-it's not anything major so don't freak out." She shuffled her bag off her shoulders and pulled out a bento with a pink wrap that had bunnies on it in one hand and a wrapped box in the other. I just made your mom some soup and I got you a thanks."
"Wow really? Mom will be so happy! She really loves your cooking. She insists you're better than her at it. A-and you got me a gift! That's so nice of you Natsuko. I feel so embarrassed I didn't get you anything! Please forgive me!" Midoriya bowed profusely over and over looking like a broken wind up toy.
"Hey!" Natsuko bonked him lightly on the head with his gift and softened her face. "Just think of it as a super late birthday gift. Then we're even. Alright?" He nodded and she once again offered the items which he took carefully from her. After watching him put away the soup carefully she tapped her foot impatiently waiting. Midoriya looked at her confused. "WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? OPEN THE GIFT!"
"YES MA'AM!" he yelped, tearing it open. Inside was a long piece of blue fabric. His eyes lit up immediately. "NO WAY! IS THIS ALL-MIGHT'S CAPE?!" he shrieked. Natsuko smiled at his excitement.
"I thought you'd like it. But don't get your panties in a twist. He's got like a million of them. I just swiped one from his house." She dismissed.
"THIS IS THE GREATEST GIFT ANYONE HAS EVER GOTTEN ME! I'LL CHERISH IT FOREVER!" He glomped onto her, causing her to freeze. The only person who ever touched her like this was Toshi and even still, those occasions were becoming rare. She quickly shoved him off.
"Yeah well don't say I never did anything for you now."
"You know...you could still come over for Christmas. It's gotta be lonely being on your own."
"Nah...I'm used to it. I mean Toshi tries but he can't always be there," she shrugged.
"Natsuko...can I ask you something?" She glanced at him sensing his dread.
"Sure," she replied cautiously.
"What happened to your parents?" It was silent as snow began to fall. Natsuko held her palms out to catch a few flakes that immediately melted upon contact. She was silent for so long that Midoriya didn't think she was going to answer him. "I-I'm sorry. That was ru-"
"My mom…" Natsuko began. She walked forward but Midoriya stayed in place so that he was facing her back. "She's the greatest hero I've ever seen. She always helped everyone she could no matter what the sacrifice." Natsuko stared out at the calm sea ahead of her. "When I was seven mom got a call from someone. I don't know who but I know it was important. It was right before my bedtime and she got up and put me to bed before we had even finished reading our story together. It was odd for her to be on hero duty that late so I went to her room out of curiosity. What I saw scared me. She just sat there on the edge of her bed staring at herself in the mirror crying."
8 Years Ago
Yukari snapped out of her daze as her 7, soon-to-be eight year old daughter stood with wide eyes at her bedroom door. She wiped her face quickly while sniffing and standing up.
"I'm so sorry Nat-chan. I didn't mean to scare you." She picked up her daughter holding her close to her chest.
"Mama I'm not scared," Natsuko denied. "You are! Why?" Yukari sighed sitting back on the bed with Natsuko in her lap.
"I have to go help my friends fight a very strong villain. It will be very dangerous."
"Yeah but All-Might will be there right? He's super strong too like you so you'll be okay right?!" Natsuko's smile faltered as her mother remained silent. "Mama please don't go," Natsuko whimpered. Yukari finally beamed at her and kissed her nose. She sat her on the bed as she stood up tall.
"I have to. It's my job as a hero. I promise I will come back to you Natsuko! Plus Ultra!" With a thumbs up and a bright smile she was gone. Natsuko sat for hours waiting for her mother. After dawn Natsuko finally drifted asleep. As the morning sun shone brightly through the curtains, Natsuko awoke expecting her mom to be battered and beaten, asleep at the kitchen table as she often was after a tough battle. However, to Natsuko's dismay, she wasn't there. The house remained silent.
"Mama! Where are you?!" Natsuko wailed. Pacing the kitchen Natsuko decided there was nothing to do but wait. And wait she did. It was around noon that she decided to make herself a bowl of cereal because she realized she hadn't eaten since the night before. And then she began to wait again. Natsuko sat in silence for weeks waiting to hear from her mother while living off boxes of cereal with no milk. Finally, Natsuko dragged herself to the TV and turned it on. Perhaps a new report could shed some light on what had happened. She saw All-Might and some of her mother's other friends but no sign of her mother. That night Natsuko cried herself to sleep for the first time.
Present Day
Natsuko sighed coming to the end of her story.
"I never saw her again after that. She just vanished."
"But...wasn't All-Might with her?! Why didn't-" Natsuko sighed interrupting Midoriya.
"Toshi won't tell me what happened that day no matter how many times I ask. I do have a theory though." Natsuko said holding a single finger up. She turned looking at Midoriya for the first time with shining eyes. "I think that day is the day Toshi received THAT injury." Midoriya gasped at her revelation with wide eyes. "I can't say for sure, but I think maybe something happened to my mom other than her dying. Otherwise...he'd tell me. No, she's somewhere but he won't tell me- or maybe he doesn't know either. I believe this because he knows I'd go looking if he gave me even the slightest idea that he thought she was still out there somewhere. I vow to become a hero so that I can track down that villain to find my mom and finally bring her home." Midoriya suddenly saw Natsuko in a different light. She tried not to show it but she had so many struggles that he would never understand. She was by far one of the bravest people he had ever met. "As for my father…" She clenched her fists closing her eyes. "He's a no-good coward! I don't even know who he is but I swear if I ever do find him I'll kick his ass! Mama tried so hard to never show that she was sad about him but I knew she was. He better hope I never find him." Natsuko huffed. Midoriya began to laugh at how worked up she had gotten. She looked at him shocked he'd laugh after pouring out her heart to him.
"S-sorry!" He stuttered through his laughter. "You just s-sounded like Kacchan so much just now!" Natsuko joined in with him thinking back to Midoriya's acquaintance with the fiery temper, forgetting all about the fact she would be spending Christmas alone.
*Author's Notes*
This took a little longer than I wanted. This was going to be the entrance exams too but I forgot there's almost a year that passes in chapter 2 of the manga so I wanted to at least give you guys a snapshot of that year instead of just saying 10 months later *spongebob cue card guy voice*.
Fun fact: I totally chose Natsuko's birthday by thinking of a random month and day. When I looked up Midoriya's it was two days before and at that point it just felt like destiny and I had to write a birthday one-shot. Also, I just randomly thought of Yukari's name which interestingly has a few meanings like the kanji that reads as purple light (the color of her eyes) and the hiragana that means connection (I can't explain this one just yet). But yeah, I thought that was also super cool because it was also random.
LAST NOTE I SWEAR: I need help with Natsuko's hero name and costume design. If I like it I'll definitely use it and give you credit. Of course her quirk hasn't been revealed yet, but that will change in the next chapter! Please look forward to it! Oh and please leave me a review! I promise I won't bite :)