Chapter 9: Growing Pains

"You want to what?" Tomura's tone was almost one of a disapproving parent, or one who was still processing what had just been stated but by default was skeptical. He looked up with a jerk from his place on the couch, gripping his handheld, pausing the game Deku had bought him for his seventeenth birthday in April.

"Aww, I want to go too! Dekkun leaving me behind while he gets to have fun." Toga pouted, shaking Deku's arm as he stood in the middle of the room. "Don't leave me out~ Come on, Dekkun!"

"Leave him be, Smother Hen."

"You're just jealous I'm his favorite person. And you really are heartless to send this face out into the world alone!" Toga promptly poked Deku's cheeks with both hands as she leapt behind him, gesturing wildly at him. "Protect the bean!"

"I'm not sure I see the problem." Kurogiri admitted from behind the bar, attempting to look busy.

"Really." Tomura remarked, rolling his eyes at the mist man's apparent lack of observation, though it could hardly be seen under his iconic dismembered hand mask. "It's Deku we're talking about. Of course there will be noise. Toga doesn't want to let her personal buddy, her playmate, out of sight. He can fend for himself."

"You're just a meanie."

"All this fussing over Little Boss?" Dabi cut in with his droll tone, hooded eyes roving over the others from his place at the bar, nursing a glass of some kind of alcohol; no one bothered to ask if he was of legal age as it was hard to tell if he was in his late teens or entering his twenties. Kurogiri didn't seem to protest as Dabi took a swig, despite his standards to uphold certain rules of society still. The scarred young man was an enigma and seemed to want to keep it that way. "You act as if this were his first errand. He's thirteen. He wants to get out, it's normal."

"Aw, baby Dekkun getting milk from the store!" Toga squealed, instantly sidetracked at the thought of a preschooler Deku going off alone to the nearby store as an act of independence; though thanks to the emergence of Quirks and criminals possessing them, the age for the right of passage task had bumped up a bit to after a child's Quirk had manifested. She affectionately patted his head, "I wish I could have seen that~"

Deku let out a semi nervous laugh at the coddling, shooting a glance at Dabi in part silent thanks for the vote of confidence. The newcomer had only been with them since March but he had proved rather formidable yet tame. While he seemed to have not much of a social filter Dabi spoke in earnest, apparently not one much for pretenses though he clearly had his secrets and motives. The eldest of the youths simply returned the gaze with a level look, emotions tucked away as if set on a back burner.

"It doesn't concern you." Tomura snapped from the couch, gripping his handheld. He glared in the direction of the latest thorn in his side, this one being especially tiresome and grating on his nerves. "Newbs need to keep quiet about senior members' matters. We can say what we want about Deku's choices."

"I mean he can take care of himself. You seem to think that too or are you just being contrary to be spiteful?" Dabi inquired in his mastered deadpan, an eyebrow quirking slightly as a smile twitched the corner of his mouth. "Talk about waste of energy."

"Guys, it's only Naruhata." Deku offered, trying to defuse the growing tension before it got worse, sort of regretting even bringing up the wish to go there by himself. Truthfully he was nervous about venturing out on his own, thinking of the lingering paranoia of being identified and dragged back to his past life. However the group venture to Wookiees had started a seed of confidence and curiosity that had taken hold and grown.

Now he felt a thirst for freedom the others seemed to enjoy, not bothering for company while he always had someone with him—a living safety blanket almost. Plus his Quirk wasn't randomly flaring up as it had started to for the past few months as he trained harder to keep it in check and unlock it fully.

He had everything under control. He didn't need to subject himself to self-inflicted house arrest until his Quirk was manageable anymore, even if he still was stuck with heterochomia, the visible indicator of his half cocked power.

"You do know there are some vigilantes running around up there." Dabi's tone was matter of fact with no hint of judgment. "Heard Eraserhead roams around there sometimes but word on the street is he's now in Musutafu, near U.A. Think he started as a teacher there last year."

"I have a cellphone?" Deku offered, shrugging as he indeed was in possession of one as a gift from Kurogiri. "And it's not like I'm going to do anything illegal. Besides there's enough going on there to keep the police and Pros busy. I'm just... going out. Change of pace, some fresh air."

Just enough crime around to not be too dangerous but keep the authorities busy enough to not notice a grown version of a boy who had gone missing just over three years ago.

Just far enough from his home where he might run into someone from his past life. Like his mother.

"See?" Dabi remarked, looking at the others as Deku had apparently effectively argued his own case. "He can't be babysat all the time, others won't take him seriously as a leader if he's constantly flanked by at least one of you." He gaze flickered to Tomura for a moment but was back on Deku, the silent jab miraculously unnoticed by the prickly teen. "A guy has to breathe, spread his wings."

"Agreed. Young Deku is more than responsible and capable to be out on his own." One could almost swear Kurogiri dabbed at his eyes but it was so quick anyone failed to confirm. "I've been awaiting this day."

"I never said he wasn't." Tomura snapped, annoyed he was apparently being ganged up on. "Let him run wild! Anyone has to be stupid to try to mess with him. He's a hidden boss encounter!"

"Th-thanks?" Deku wasn't sure what to make over the fussing and apparent vouching of his abilities. He hardly could get a word in edgewise. Despite his birthday being a week ago he'd finally decided to voice his desire for independence, causing the apparent drama, "I'll be back in no time. Nothing will happen."

It was just a walk, sightseeing. There were worse places. The city could be burning and he'd be fine, right? Besides to hide a tree you put it in a forest; what was better than a place where everyone was too busy to notice every single potential villain?

"Why Naruhata?" Toga inquired, still draped around his shoulders. "Why not the mall again?" She poked his cheek sighing, "We could have so much fun there!"

"Leave the birthday boy be." Tomura waved a hand in her direction as if she were an offending odor. "Browbeating him isn't going to score you any relationship points. And it's not like he's running away."

"You know," Dabi droned as if the thought just occurred, his eyes flicking from his drink to the others. "There were cases of Instant Villains there not too long ago. Also traffickers are always about, but I don't think you need to be told. Given League might have a hand in that, no?"

"You just did. You glitching?" Tomura glared, further annoyed by the condescension. "And what the hell do you know what the League does or doesn't? What are you up to, Crispy?"

"Checking if his self preservation is activated. Last save point, you know." Tomura let out a snarl at the mocking gamer terminology, Dabi smiling wryly.

"So... no objections?" Deku dared to ask as Tomura and Dabi glared at each other, or at least the former was. Toga was pouting but slipped off his shoulders, flopping onto the couch with enough space from the simmering Tomura. Kurogiri was silent, watching. After a few moments he added with more confidence, "I'll take that as a yes."

"Safe travels." Kurogiri bowed slightly, gesturing as he opened a Warp Gate. "Simply let me know when you wish to return and where you are."

"You're going like that?" Toga eyed his formal attire, her pouting giving way to curiosity. Seeing a teen dressed in a business suit certainly wasn't the norm, though there were cafés with that theme.

"Leave him be. If anything some NPC will mistake him for a midget business man or an official with a youth Quirk." Tomura rounded on her, impatience clear. He then looked at Deku, "Hurry up and go before you gain a forced companion for your campaign. All this fussing is giving me a headache!"

Deku, thankful to get cut loose, headed toward the portal, nodding to Kurogiri who looked as unperturbed as ever, "I'm off."

"See you soon, Young Deku." Kurogiri bid as the youngest of the group walked into the Warp Gate with a pounding heart but also resolve of steel and promptly disappeared.

Deku wasn't sure what he was expecting to find in Naruhata, only that it was a point of interest not teeming with heroes or villains, though every city just about had its share; after all it, was a mere section of Tokyo. The Warp Gate had deposited him in a tight back alley, dark enough to hide the traces of the Quirk and also small enough to guarantee no one should be around to witness his emergence. He eased his way out, senses on high alert as he took in the city sounds that were like a faint memory.

It was summer vacation in July and as such there were enough people meandering about focusing on their daily routine, some spare primary students running about to perhaps a local arcade. A sigh escaped him, not realizing he had been holding his breath as he ducked out onto the street to join the passing bodies. Doing so was seamless, no one batted an eye as he walked among the populace, apparently one of them.

He did it, he really did it.

He was alone and the world wasn't ending.

Deku smiled proudly as he looked around, taking in the sights. It appeared Kurogiri had warped him near a local shopping district, allowing him the chance to browse if he felt the urge. He thought of the money the mist man had given him along with his birthday present, having discreetly tucked a wad of cash into the inner pocket of the new suit jacket. Even now he felt the cash press against his chest and felt calm, reassured by his guardian's silent consideration.

Maybe he should pick something up for the resident den mother; perhaps for the others too as a display he was a functional teenager, no handholding or coddling needed. Brownie points were always a plus.

However a speck of fear gnawed at him, whispering caution and to be on the alert. Eyes were everywhere. Who knew who was watching, what enemies of Sensei lay in the shadows and walked blatantly in the sunlight?

He swallowed and clenched his fist, willing the fear to go deep down, so far it'd wink out of existence, almost physically pushing with his muscles. He felt his Quirk tingle through his nerves, lightly activated but stuck in one gearshift. No dark aura bloomed from his hands on accident, at least he had no worries about that.

Others his age and younger went about alone all the time. He was just a bit delayed, reasonably so; there was no reason to freeze up now. Someone lightly bumped him and he flinched but they gave a hasty sorry and continued walking. It was just a shoulder brush, not an intended shoulder-check nor followed up with an instant "hey, you're that kid" as if his face were slapped on every wall, post, and milk carton.

"So stupid." He couldn't help muttering, making his way toward one of the shops to stare into the window as a means to occupy himself. "I'm not that Deku. No one remembers him." As he did he caught a glimpse of his reflection: a pale freckled face with one red eye and one green eye stared back, intense yet a hint of fear around the edges. The face of a kid not a formidable League member, someone Sensei had granted his power to; a mere child playing dress up, scared as soon as he was out of the confines of his comfort zone, at the mercy of the world.

Sensei had promised the tools to face said world—and the man had done that; it was his own fault he was using the tools improperly despite it supposedly being straightforward. Some genius he was, despite the praises his found family sang (or grumbled in Tomura's case). What a disappointment he'd be to Sensei if he saw him, him trying to look even just a fraction like the powerful man and failing to hold his ground when faced with adversity, let alone the idea.

Sensei hadn't run, no.

Despite his handicap Sensei stood his ground, told him to go and proceeded to fight the most powerful Hero, his maimer, in all of known history. Deku had left, as ordered, but was still running. He didn't have to fight, it wasn't expected, but Sensei gave him the means to if needed, nurturing his mental capabilities as well as all his potential.

The potential that had Sensei had apparently been drawn to and fiercely believed in enough to trust a mere boy to have his ear; to study potential enemies and make strategies to combat them.

However for all the power Deku had been granted he had never used it in a real fight, only training and throwdowns as mere self defense. Whaling on Kakashiro never counted, he was there for practice and even if he came at the boy seriously it was never murderous. Toga pushed him during their sparing; but with all her gymnastics it made her hard to hit let alone pin though she scored plenty of "love taps" from flicks to the nose, forehead, ears, to even pats on the head before flipping him and ending the match untouched. Tomura was all about grappling, sporting archery gloves to avoid rendering his partner to dust, though those matches were rare. Kurogiri was all about evading and turning his attacker's moves on themselves so he was best for speed training and learning how your attacks felt by experiencing it firsthand courtesy of yourself.

Newcomer Dabi was never interested in sparring with anyone, though it was obvious Tomura tempted the thought. He observed and kept to himself; with what Deku vaguely knew of his Quirk it made sense. He was a formidable long-range fighter and if in close quarters he'd simply incinerate anyone point blank. He also possessed a seemingly apathy that could maybe intensify to ruthlessness if something proved worth his interest.

The young man wore his scars visibly, which were perhaps from early mishaps of his Quirk, but could wield his Quirk formidably. His aloof nature made him seemingly fortified him against cracking under pressure. Perhaps part of his emotions had been charred to nothingness, not hindered by intense emotions? But that was him. Deku wasn't Dabi.

He wasn't any of them.

Was he squandering his gifts? His chance Sensei had given him all by focusing on the wrong things? Was he just a coward who hadn't really changed since that day in the park, the day he'd met the man who changed his life?

Deku blinked, coming back to his senses and the world around him. Had he just... been literally self-reflecting? He blinked at his reflection, which of course did the same. Man he was awful.

He let out a sigh at his abstraction and thunked his head against the glass lightly. This was a whole other level of out of control. He'd been on the streets for less than ten minutes as he was already jumping back to thoughts about the League, drawing in on himself. If he went back too soon they'd think he was chicken, especially after he got a near unanimous sorta vote of confidence.

"Come on, you're thirteen. No more kid gloves. I can't fulfill my end of the bargain if I can't keep myself together. I have to. Stop hyper analyzing."

Anyone passing by and paying half attention would glance his way with a curious if not worried expression at the sight of a baby faced teenager mumbling to himself while apparently fixated on the glass. Most would probably think it in relation to his Quirk, the rest probably figured he had beans for brains. Meanwhile anyone inside the store bothering to look out onto the street was likely wondering if the green haired boy was disturbed, having a mental breakdown or casing the joint. Maybe a bit of all three.

Deku took a deep breath and closed his eyes, counting to ten before exhaling. There was nothing to worry about. The only thing out to get him was his overactive mind and nerves. He just had to shake it off, distract himself. Killing a few hours couldn't be too hard just wandering around.

He peeled himself away from the window with new resolve though it was shaky. It was time to explore and embrace his freedom, not mentally cage himself. The teen made his way down the street, focusing on the various stores. At one point he paused to listen to a street performer playing a violin, whose Quirk seemed to allow them to manipulate inanimate objects such as the doll and teddy bear that dance at their feet.

"Man, nothing beats PopStep's impromptu performances."

"It's not the same since she joined Feather Hats but at least she has a large stage for her performances. Doesn't have to worry about cops chasing her off for using her Quirk on the street since it's an officially recognized music group."

"Still not the same, but a fan is a fan. Got to remain loyal no matter if the venue changes."

Deku caught part of a conversation and his interest piqued for a moment. He would have to look up the name later rather than waste time now on his phone. He hadn't listened to music groups in years, he had never been into them, but maybe it was time for a change. He thought of the usual classical music Kurogiri played while Tomura either insisted on silence or listening to various tracks from his favorite video games.

An hour passed and the teen found himself simply meandering without purpose, window shopping like a fiend and simply practicing being among so many people. Yet, he felt finally relaxed though still reasonably on guard. At one point a poster caught his attention and he paused to look at it, seeing the words "Feather Hats" and look with interest to see if it perhaps identified the named PopStep from earlier.

"Maybe Toga-chan knows of them…" He murmured to himself, considering the possibility given the resident female was apparently well cultured in what was trending. As he turned away however there was a popping sound that immediately set him on edge as if it were second nature. His eyes widened as his body screamed to be on the alert, quickly looking to identify the source and qualm any fears.

Someone was just setting off some firecrackers. That's all. Or it was simply some backfiring machinery, there were plenty of explain—out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of ash-blond and what looked like spiky hair.

Instantly his veins froze and his heart leapt into his throat, seemingly choking him. His heart pounded as he began to pant, heart pumping wildly as a cold sweat broke out, his mouth dry. Suddenly he was a Quirkless kid on the playground, ears ringing from deafening explosions and various parts of his body stinging while his nose was filled with the scent of caramel.

It can't be him.

It couldn't. It wasn't possible. There were plenty of other people with that hair color and spiky hair. He was just paranoid that it was him. Besides, he couldn't hurt him, not now… but if he was recognized then…

The head of ashen blond seemed to turn and head in his direction at a moderate pace.

He didn't bother to chance it nor confirm it. In an instant he was ducking low and dashing madly through the crowds, away from the apparently approaching figure. His heart thundered in his chest as he panted, as if he were a scared rabbit fleeing its captor. He bobbed and weaved through the crowd, earning a few confused looks but apparently no concern—perhaps it was his attire.

He saw a break between buildings, hinting an alleyway and dove in, feeling his lungs heaving as they demanded air. While the endurance enhancer part of his Quirk preventing any real fatigue from a workout it did nothing in the state of panic as his brain seemingly high jacked his Quirk nerves. In a state of hysteria even the Quirk meant to help shield him from overexertion and cull that weakness failed.

Deku gasped for air in the alley's shadows as people cluelessly walked by the teenager currently fending off the beginnings of a panic attack. His chest tightened and he gulped for air, trying to inhale through his nose to regain his breathing. He pressed a gloved hand against the side of the building, bracing himself as he fought to regain his breath and corral his thoughts that had scattered like startled sheep.

"No, I'm not like that anymore." He told himself in a near whisper, fighting the urge to throw up as his nerves felt shot. "I'm not afraid of him. I just can't be caught and be taken away. I can't. Stupid, that wasn't even him."

His fists clenched as his eyes stung with frustrated tears, feeling that despite the few steps he had managed to take forward he suddenly was further back, almost as if he'd tripped down a staircase and caught himself midway after finally nearing the top.

A soft sound called his attention in the momentary lull. He would have missed it if he were focusing on breaths, his own breathing drowning it out. Almost dazed and desperate for a distraction he gulped, his heart pounding, and looked toward the source that seemed to be further down the alley. Curious, and grasping to focus on something to ease him out of his fledgling panic attack, Deku edged closure for a better look, keeping himself within the shadows.

There was a little girl about four or five cringing as a suspicious character loomed near her. She backed up only to be pressed against the alley's wall as the figure seemed amused, cocking their head. "Aw, you lost? I can take you somewhere you can play with lots of friends."

The girl gestured wildly, clearly distressed and declining. She looked around, clearly trying to find a means of escape. Everything about her screamed scared but the figure didn't care.

"Don't be shy. You'll love it. They'll love you."

The child let out a strangled sound, as if too frightened to make any real noise. Or perhaps that was the work of the dark figure's Quirk. She gestured again, shaking her head and tried to run down the alleyway toward where Deku stood, apparently not noticing him in the shadows when the figure grabbed her wrist.

"Don't be cheeky, children should listen to their elders."

"Hey!" Deku found himself shouting in a near growl, his fists curling as a bad taste formed in his mouth. Suddenly any fear he had felt before was gone as if someone had flipped a switch. His veins were like ice but he felt as if he could spit fire, like the bile that had rising up moments ago had been transformed. All focus was on the girl, his worries scattering like antelope at the mercy of a mighty predator. The figure jolted and the girl seemed surprised, straining against the hold, looking toward where her captor's attention was. "Leave her alone."

Everything about this screamed suspicious and something instead Deku boiled, even snapped, at the sight of the frightened child. A child who was clearly being bullied by someone holding power over her to get their own selfish way.

Someone who clearly wished to harm her following fake concern.

"Mind your own business." The other party hissed, revealing a set of four eyes that had slitted pupils as the apparent second pair opened. "We don't need any heroes around here. You one of those dumb vigilantes?" The figure that seemed made out of shadows grinned, revealing sharp teeth that made the little girl flinch. "Or here to steal my prize for yourself?"

"I said: Leave. Her. Alone."

"Ooo big talk, white-collar." The potential kidnapper chuckled, eyeing his well dressed appearance though the rest of him was obscured by the shadows before suddenly reaching around and grabbing the girl's other arm, causing her to yelp, "Get your own territory."

They suddenly shot out what looked like a barbed tongue, aiming to catch Deku off guard.

"Back off, creep!" He snarled with venom, feeling his Quirk shoot throughout his body as he pulled away the mental restraints, disgust and anger coiling in his stomach. Pushing the main focus of power to his legs he leapt forward in a flash, ducking beneath the extended tongue, before shifting the majority Quirk to his upper body, feeling it crawl through his arms and fists. The tingle was there, the dark aura ready to be released if he uncorked it.

His foe seemed genuinely surprised by the speed someone in a suit apparently possessed, the clothing seeming to not hinder movement at all. However before they could really compute a well placed fist smashed into their shadowy jaw and they were sent flying back into the alleyway, crashing into the wall with a tremendous thud as the wall cracked, followed by a loud groan before the figure slumped to the ground, all four eyes closing.

Deku landed where the creep had once stood, his adrenaline pumping and his Quirk singing in his veins to be set loose more, begging for the aura to be released. He felt his right fist trembling, not sure whether from anger or the adrenaline rush but he shook it to ease the feeling. That was exhilarating.

"Are you okay?" He asked, turning toward the wide-eyed girl who was clutching what appeared to be stuffed rabbit. Upon a closer look he noticed that her hair was long and red brown with dark green tinting, sporting a couple of burettes with yellow roses on them. She wore a cute dress with leggings, clearly not a school uniform and thus not separated from a preschool group while on a weekend outing.

The little girl blinked, obviously still terrified as she looked from the unconscious figure back to her apparent savior, looking like a scared rabbit herself.

Deku then thought of how she'd gestured a few times before he'd intervened and something clicked. He thought for a moment, trying to recall what he had learned from Kakashiro years ago, feeling as if rust were coming off his brain. Bits came to him and he hesitantly signed almost brokenly as he squatted down to her level: Hurt? Need help? I… friend.

The girl instantly brightened as she saw the slow gestures and began signing in a flurry, overwhelming him as he tried to remember as well as do guess work. However it was like trying to understand a foreign language being spoken at rapid fire while the only words in one's arsenal were what mostly a two year old could utter—perhaps worse.

"Ah, hold on!" He said, holding up his hands in surrender. He then tried again, signing as he spoke slowly in case she could read lips, "Slow, please. I'm bad at signing. Forgot."

A look of understanding crossed the youngster's face and she appeared patient though happy, slowly gesturing as Deku spoke to make sure he understood, her eyes trained on his lips, "You're lost?" This earned a nod as well as a quivering lip. He noticed that her hair color was now shifting to a lighter green with light orange tips.

A mood related Quirk?

"My name is Deku." He said as he signed, finger spelling his name the best he could, visualizing how Kakashiro had shown him before eventually giving him a "nickname" sign. He slowly mouthed, "Deku," hoping he was communicating well enough to assure the frightened child.

The girl gave a small smile though her purple eyes showed some weariness. She replied back and he could only catch "ko" being the end, remembering how he'd accidentally signed his name as "Deko" to Kakashiro when he first tried, earning muffled laughs from the giant.

He asked her again and this time managed to recognize a "to" as the first bit, leaving him with "To—ko" as the middle alluded him. Three gestures for her name and he couldn't get it. He signed an apology and asked while signing, "To. Ko?"

This earned a giggle from the girl. It okay. Toko fine.

He then proceeded to sign to ask if she was deaf or mute. The girl quickly responded, the orange in her hair growing as she hugged her stuffed bunny under her arm.

Deaf.

Kakashiro's opposite it seemed. Thankfully she did seem able to read lips a bit so Deku felt he had to bank on that as his signing was sloppy and lacking; blessedly enough JSL apparently relied on mouth movements as well so "Toko" wasn't completely lost. Still he tried to compensate with everyday gestures as the actual sign failed him.

You teach? I try learn.

Yes! The girl looked eager and hurriedly took his gloved hand, tugging him toward the alley's entrance. She signed as simply as possible, even finger spelling, and Deku managed to understand the gist. Bad person. Leave. Police. Hero.

Ah right, couldn't just leave the probable human trafficker simply lying around. Sure this was his first bagging but he knew better than that. He had studied Hero's tactics for years: Assure the victims/citizens, engage and secure opponent, reassure innocents, then take the offender away or turn over to the local authorities.

"One moment." He spoke, holding up one finger as he slipped gently out of her hold.

He walked over toward the back of the alley, eyeing the opponent he had managed to KO after one hit. It felt good and a smile tweaked his lips at the takedown. All his anxiety from before seemed gone, the nervous energy having turned into fuel for his rage that powered the punch he'd delivered; while it was hard it wasn't enough to break the creep's jaw, hopefully not anyways though the scum deserved it. However his present dilemma was restraining the perp.

After a few moments of looking he found some discarded shoelaces that could make do. He bound the figure's wrists behind their back, using a knot he and Toga had tried; when you had all the time in the world why not practice restraint knots and various other things thanks to video tutorials? Once he was sure it was secure enough he decided to add insult to injury. He grabbed the sprawled out elongated tongue and wrapped it their wrists as well, making the criminal literally tongue-tied before proceeding to hog-tie them as well. He then dusted off his hands and headed back toward the entrance where Toko was waiting, watching with interest.

"Alright, done. They won't be going anywhere." She looked at him, curious, before signing and gesturing at him.

Hero?

He smiled at the earnest question, feeling some humor at the irony but also satisfaction at a long buried desire he'd thought extinguished. "No, just a person. I'll call the police though." He pulled out his phone to better show what he was up to. Perhaps texting as communication was an option though he wasn't certain of the girl's reading level given she seemed late preschool age.

Toko looked surprised, her hair shifting to a faint blue before deepening as yellow seeped into it. Her expression turned to determination, signing rather precisely as she waved to get his attention.

My hero.

His heart soared at the girl's sincere expression, her urgency for him to understand. He smiled and gave her a pat on the head, earning a smile from her as she hugged her bunny close, watching him attentively. He barely heard the phone ringing before the other party answered it, the speaker sounding rather bored or perhaps just drained, announcing he had indeed reached the Naruhata Police Department.

"Hello? I want to report an attempted assault on a minor, possible abduction thwarted by using self-defense. The perpetrator has been detained by a citizen's arrest. I can give you the address where you can find them. I'm sure you'll find them to be in your database." He paused, listening to the officer on the other end and then hastily told the area and location before hanging up before more questions could be asked. As he did so he realized he'd forgotten one thing.

Toko. She was still lost.

He had failed to mention said minor was a lost child who needed to be reunited with her parents. But most of all: the police were coming. Instantly he realized what it meant, his skin crawling. He wasn't on the police's radar as far as he was concerned, except for the fact he was a missing child himself.

If he stuck around it was possible they'd bag him and tag him, calling him a vigilante, a very much so illegal Hero. He couldn't be caught, he still had a mission with the League to fulfill; he couldn't break his promise, his deal.

He looked at Toko who gazed at him with trusting purple eyes, gripping her purple bunny and her hair completely yellow due to perhaps… joy?

He couldn't just leave her there next to the incapacitated fiend, a lowlife who really was the worse kind of criminal to be called a villain. He couldn't dump her onto some random passerby either. But if he waited for the police however they would ask him questions, perhaps recognize him…

What a dilemma for sticking his nose into things, even if he had no regrets about feeling his fist smash into the scum of society. Sensei would have never allowed trafficking of children, he wouldn't. He couldn't.

He was brought out of his thoughts as he felt a tug on his jacket, looking to see Toko smiling at him. She pointed to him before back at the person who had been trying to abduct her only a few minutes ago. He noticed she trembled slightly but she pointed firmly back at Deku, signing with conviction.

My hero. I trust.

Something inside of him buzzed and the anger and distress he had felt moments before melted away completely. Instead he felt his heart squeeze as a new wave of emotion came over him, the high from adrenaline ebbing away. A sense of pride formed, something he hadn't felt in a long time as the little girl looked at him sincerely, her hair shifting shades subtly.

He knew he didn't deserve her admiration; he wasn't a Hero, but to her he was and the feeling it created was something he thought he would never experience. Perhaps it was okay to be selfish and accept it.

"We'd best try to find your parents." He responded, very unsurely making the sign for mother and father. He offered a reassuring smile, his heart at ease as a calm settled over him despite the enemy he had knocked out being just a few feet away.

His first real opponent outside of sparring. His first bagging.

There was a prickle of giddiness though he swallowed it down, trying to focus. He had something more important to do presently than gloat. "They're close by hopefully."

Toko nodded, signing "Mom" before taking his offered gloved hand, looking at him with compete trust, unlike with the pretender before. Deku smiled back as he felt her give a little squeeze and he returned it before the two of them exited the alleyway as if nothing had happened. They kept walking as if best of friends simply out for some air, each one smiling lightly despite each other's earlier fears.

He eventually placed the girl on his shoulders so she had a better vantage point to spot her mother after roughly ten minutes passed. Thanks to his Quirk she felt almost like nothing and the shift in position delighted her.

Toko lightly kicked her legs and swung her stuffed bunny though she was careful about hitting Deku on accident. With her behind his head she can't read his lips but could thrust her hand in his face to sign and nudge him if she saw something as he'd told her before hoisting her up.

He didn't bother to ask anyone passing by. He had no idea how to describe Toko's mother and simply saying "Have you seen this child's mother" was asking for a heap of inquires and attention he didn't need. If he could find a policeman on patrol however or even a Pro Hero to leave her in their care he could slip away after a hasty excuse of "Found a lost child, she's deaf, could you help her home" before any had time to think about his appearance.

That was another thing. He was stupid to not think about wearing a hat at least. Or even a medical mask as those were commonplace anyways, no one would look at him oddly. No instead he had stubbornly if not confidently insisted he was fine as he was, green hair and freckles for all to see—excuse being the city was fair enough away to reduce possible encounters. Yet he'd panicked the moment he thought he heard, saw, someone from his past.

He was literally jarred from his thoughts as Toko began patting his head rapidly while bouncing. He looked up from where his thoughtful gaze had wandered and followed where she was pointing. Excited sounds escaped her as she bounced, pointing excitedly and signing the same thing over and over.

Not too far away a woman stood with her back to them, clearly panicking. For Deku her state was obvious not only because of her body language but because her short hair in a bun was changing shades from black to red brown with tints of green and back again. She was looking around frantically.

Unsure if the woman was deaf as well Deku hurried over with Toko on his shoulders, waving and making sounds that faintly sounded like "Mom."

"Excuse me?" He called just in case as he drew closer while Toko nearly flipped over his head. Carefully he reached up and set her down as he paused for a moment. As soon as Toko's feet touched the pavement she raced forward and nearly tackled her mom, colliding with her knees as she wrapped her arms around the woman's legs.

"Tomoko!" The woman gasped, immediately bending down and embraced her daughter tightly, her hair shifting shades once more to brighter colors, periwinkle to yellow, as relief clearly came over her.

So that was her name. Tomoko. He kept missing the sign for "mo."

Deku smiled to himself as he watched the reunion for a few moments when a pang rippled through his heart at seeing the child being reunited with her clearly worried mother. He sucked in a breath as guilt and longing started their attempts to claw at him.

Squaring his shoulders to brace himself he began to slip back into the crowd when a small hand clasped his gloved hand, startling him. He looked down to see Toko, Tomoko, grasping it while looking at him with large purple eyes as she signed something he only partly caught due to his divided attention.

"W-wait! Thank you so much!" The woman called, nearly breathless as she hurried over. "I thought she was still holding onto my bag but when I looked she was gone." The clearly terrified mother looked down at her daughter with relief but a stern look took over as she quickly signed something that Deku could only catch part of, perhaps something about not letting go.

"It's nothing. I'm glad I could help. I'm a bit rusty with signing though." He reassured, feeling rooted to the spot by the woman's appreciation as well as the little girl's grip. "I think she had a bit of a scare so she probably will stick close now."

Tomoko, watching his face intently, began hurriedly signing to her mom. Deku caught bits and guessed others as she released his hand to better convey. Her mother watched, her relieved expression shifting to worry then concern then horror as her hair reflected her mood clearly.

"Don't worry I called the police to pick up the perp." Deku quickly assured, only imagining what horrors she was going over in her head as he saw the sign for punch, knowing that one clearly from Kakashiro. "They won't be roaming around any time soon."

Tomoko's mom let out a long breath she apparently had been holding, looking pale. "Thank you. I can't even... Tomoko..." She seemed at a loss for words, not even able to sign. After a few moments she seemed to find her voice though the subject switched, "You seem a bit young for a Hero, you an intern?"

"Ah, I have a bit of a baby face." He lamely explained as it was true. "But no, I'm not..."

"Oh! Say no more! Naruhata has its share of vigilantes and I wouldn't want to get you into any trouble." The woman waved her hands as she translated what was said to Tomoko; Deku caught the sign for "hero" and what looked like... "illegal?"

"I'm Iro Kibun." She bowed with a small worn smile. "You've met my daughter Tomoko. You're Deku, right?"

"Please to meet you, Kibun-san. Yes, that is correct." He fingerspelled it for clarity, earning a proud from Tomoko. "Really it was no trouble. It was nice meeting your daughter a bit but I'm glad she's back with you. I was worried about just leaving her with a police officer since not everyone knows sign and I wasn't sure how they'd contact you."

Kibun sighed, looking worn as her hair shifted tones once more. "Usually I have her wear clothes with a label on the inside with her name and our phone number just in case. But I just bought her that outfit and she insisted on wearing it before I could put them on. I was just about to call the police…"

"It all turned out for the best but still scary, for all of us I think." He assured, looking down at Tomoko who was holding onto him once more. "Better not worry your mom anymore, Tomoko-chan." He signed as much as he could, gesturing to her mother in a gentle wave of dismissal. "Thanks for teaching me. Take care, okay? Bye." He started to let go but felt Tomoko's hand suddenly latch on in a death grip and she pressed against his leg stubbornly.

What?

"Oh dear." Kibun looked worried and embarrassed at the display. "Would it be possible for you to stay with us for a little while? Tomoko is extremely outgoing and it seems she's attached to you, I think you make her feel safe. I'm sorry; if not I can pry her away."

Being saved from a life and death situation seemed to do that to people, imbuing them with a deep sense of gratitude. And a little girl facing down a scary, dubious person was hardly an exception.

"It's not a problem. I'm not in a rush." He dared to smile, his heart fluttering at the thought of being needed. Air escaped his lungs with ease, a sense of calm taking hold as he held the small girl's hand. "Honestly, she makes me feel better too."

Kibun's smile was genuine with relief. "Thank you. I promise it won't be long." She turned her attention to her daughter, signing as she spoke, "What do you have to say to our new friend, Deku-san?"

Tomoko looked shy for a moment before looking up at him, purple eyes serene as she signed.

Thank you, friend Deku.

Deku couldn't help but smile as a tingle of warmth come over him. With his momentarily free hands, Tomoko attached firmly to his leg, he signed Your welcome, friend Toko. Instantly Tomoko beamed up at him and let out a giggle, grabbing his hand firmly once more, tugging it playfully to come along. Without hesitation he followed, the calmest he'd been since starting his venture. Besides, it wouldn't be long and couldn't hurt to tagalong.

A little while turned out to be over an hour.

The mother and daughter had various errands to run and as Kibun tried to get her daughter to detach from Deku she refused, as if possessing a secondary Quirk that allowed her to almost fuse herself to him through pure willpower. He had to suppress a laugh at the determination as he witnessed a mild battle of the wills.

Eventually Kibun, apologetic, tried to compensate by buying him a crêpe while Tomoko happily snacked on hers. They maintained small talk, Deku mainly asking about the family and her lightly inquiring about him, which he deflected with vagueness he hoped wasn't suspicious or rude, but she only smiled without any obvious concern.

"I'm so sorry, Deku-kun." Kibun apologized once more, thoroughly embarrassed that Tomoko adamantly clung to him. They continued to make their way down various streets of Naruhata, easing into the more residential areas as the businesses started to thin out.

"You've been so patient, I can't keep you any longer. We should really be heading back home now." She signed to Tomoko, her face determined, clearly laying out what was to occur. Her daughter however had a pouty look and shook her head, tightening her grip though she signed something hastily as her arms were woven around Deku, not chancing him slipping away.

"It's no problem, really Kibun-san. I mean, I don't want to undermine your parenting if you're not fine with it. I don't mind walking you back part way if that helps. I meant it when I said I had nothing else to do, this whole day is an adventure for me really." He did mean it but at the same time he could tell despite as friendly as Tomoko was, she was probably still afraid the criminal from earlier would try to attack again. "Plus it's nice getting to know you both."

"You're such a sweet, mature boy. Makings of a real Hero, if I may say so." Kibun smiled kindly before signing to Tomoko what Deku had said. Instantly the girl seemed to vibrate, her hair shifting to periwinkle before instantly becoming completely yellow. She bounced up and down, shaking his arm with glee.

Deku felt his face turn slightly red, the heat going up to his ears. However a pang of guilt hit him at the level of deception occurring. The two had no idea who he really was, who he answered to, yet were feeding his almost extinct fantasies of being a Hero. It just felt good to have someone praise you and look at you with such pure admiration for a feat you were proud of. To be valued as a person outside of those he knew.

But it was okay to be a little bit selfish, right? No one was getting hurt and he really did perform a feat of heroics, even if he could never go Pro. What a laugh that mere notion was at this point in his life. Besides, just because someone wasn't licensed or was thought to be on the wrong side of the law didn't mean they couldn't do the right thing; morals existed on a wide spectrum, as Sensei had shown.

"We don't live far, it's an easy walk."

He nodded and the trio set off in the direction towards the Kibun household. They gradually eased away from busier streets, leaving all businesses behind. Various residences sprang up around them and Deku took a look around to familiarize himself. Still something occurred to him as he walk down the neighborhood streets.

"It's so quiet here. It's almost like it's deserted."

"Yes, that's what we love about it. Traffic is so light thanks to the expressway that opened ten years ago. There are no cars to worry about and only real locals know the back roads."

"So it's fairly safe then?" He asked tentatively, eyeing Tomoko before gazing back at her mom who was a few paces in front to lead but well within arms length.

Kibun's lips pressed slightly and she turned away so Tomoko couldn't see her face. "Fairly. Though these past few years there have been… incidents with people's Quirks suddenly going haywire. Honestly it made me afraid to leave the house for a while, especially with Tomoko, but the police assured the public they were isolate incidents caused by a common factor and the parties responsible were being apprehended."

Quirks going haywire? Was it the traffickers trying to cause distractions? Or was it something else? He'd heard the name "Trigger" dropped a few times by a few minor League members but hadn't really given it much thought. That was one thing he was going to have to rectify when he got back.

"Seems like every town has its issues. Glad it seems to be getting handled."

Kibun turned, a smile on her face as she glanced at Tomoko who was presently skipping, looking down at her feet, trusting to be pulled along. "Me too."

As he watched Tomoko walking beside him, her eyes bright and her smile wide, Deku thought of how she'd looked in the alleyway. How that lowlife had her cornered like an animal, pretending to be reassuring and caring before lunging like the predator that they were.

A low life who tried to steal happiness and freedom from such a sweet young girl. A degenerate who didn't care about throwing her parents into despair, not knowing what happened to their daughter. It was just another hunt, another prey to nab and sell off to the highest bidder most likely.

The thought churned his stomach and he felt bile starting to rise but he bit it back, instead letting it turn into a boil that seemed to shoot through his veins, causing him to tingle.

Once he got back he'd have to see about persuading Tomura to crack down on traffickers to chase them out of the League's territory, and if possible, out of Japan all together. Though, as much as he was against killing, he wouldn't lose sleep over the thought of the traffickers meeting a grizzly end. A child should never go through such terrors; the thought it had almost happened in front of him made his ears buzz while his eyes began to water, stinging with frustration and rage.

Discreetly he turned his head and wiped his eyes with his free hand, acting as if moping sweat away. The burning in his eyes stopped but he still felt ready to spew molten lava at the next lowlife he crossed paths with, let alone pound his fists into. Despite everything, from the bullying to Sensei being snatched away, he'd never felt the waves of emotions currently latching onto him. Punching Tomoko's would be abductor was practically cathartic; perhaps it was the start of something besides training and doing analysis and strategies.

He felt a gentle tug on his hand and he focused on Tomoko who was looking at him with bright eyes. She smiled and he relaxed, ignoring the buzzing in his ears he inhaled in an attempt to calm down.

Your eyes pretty.

Deku grinned in spite of himself and signed, Thank you. I like yours.

Change. Like my hair.

Wait…

Tomoko beamed up and him and signed with one hand before finger spelling as he seemed not to understand.

Two.

R.

E.

D.

Instantly the tingling made sense and fear gripped him in an icy hold, almost sizzling out the near molten rage he'd felt only moments before. Still it wasn't enough as the tingling continued, his Quirk nerves on full alert for the first time in years. Suddenly it was as if he were having an out of body experience though he felt his chest squeezing and he became lightheaded.

No.

It couldn't be. Not now. Why?

"Sorry, I can't." He abruptly announced, panic rising up with a vengeance as if trying to drown out any embers of anger. "I-I have to go. I'm sorry, Kibun-san, Tomoko-chan. I realized I... I have to be somewhere."

"Oh, alright." Kibun seemed surprised but understanding. "Thank you for everything, Deku-kun. I don't think I can ever repay… are you alright?"

The concern that suddenly laced her tone at the end drove a stake through his pounding heart. He only nodded rapidly, trying to draw his hand away from Tomoko, feeling as if he were a bomb about to go off, his hand a viper about to attack. He had to get away from them, just in case.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a plume of dark purple, almost black, forming as he pulled his hand away. Tomoko looked hurt at his withdrawal and reached up to grab it, as if to comfort him as her hair shifted to magenta with mint green tips.

"NO!" He screamed, backing away only to see Tomoko's eyes widen with surprise as well as her mother. "Watch out! Get back!" He hollered, gesturing as he thrust out his other hand to gesture to Tomoko, trying to sign to her. "I don't know-"

A sinister dark purple enveloped his vision and seemingly the world. His veins were on fire and the only thing audible was his screams, his cries, as the last thing he caught glimpse of was the mother and daughter looking at him with shock and concern, their faces and hair saying it all.

And then, it was gone.