Continuation and Moving Forward
"RYU RYU RYU RYU!"
Said blonde woman felt her self yelp in pain slightly as an overly energetic eight year old clutched her in a powerful hug.
"W-What is it Izu?" Ryuko felt herself wheeze with a pained chuckle.
Izuku looked up to the woman, letting her go, a large smile on his face as he was practically jumping up and down in glee.
"Look!"
Izuku lit his quirk ablaze and watched as Ryuko gave him a confused look.
Three years had past then, and Izuku had gone through those years training and honing his quirk to better suit him when he eventually pursued U.A and applied.
At the moment, it was just Ryuko and Izuku alone on the training grounds. The other three rescue hero's having been busy elsewhere for reasons unaware to the boy.
In any case, Ryuko's face scrunched into confusion as Izuku looked at her in anticipation.
"Yes, you're using your quirk...yes…" The rather intelligent woman stated matter factly, a deadpanned look on her face.
Izuku shook his head rapidly, though his smile did not falter.
"I did it auntie! I managed to do it!"
Ryuko nodded her head slowly. "Do what exactly?"
Izuku reached a hand out towards her. "Here! Grab my hand!"
Ryuko's face turned into one of disbelief and more confusion.
"Uh, no that's going to burn me Izu."
Izuku shook his head once more.
"Auntie, I'm telling you just trust me!" His face turned to one of trepidation. "Umm just make sure to touch it gently though…" He paused. "I don't know if it'll work..." He chuckled nervously.
"That's not convincing me to grab your burning hand you know." She sighed, a gentle look on her face. "Well I'll trust you on this one Izu…"
With visible hesitation, the rescue hero slowly reached out with her own hand into his own. She could feel the burning tingle already, but there was something odd about it.
Yes it slightly stung, and she knew she would for sure burn her hand if she complied with what he had wanted. But that did not stop her eyes from widening as she held her hand inches from his.
It was like holding a hand over a turned on grill.
"No way…" Ryuko gasped.
Izuku's smile grew tenfold. "I figured out how to control my temperature! I can change it, by just thinking of how hot I want it! It was that easy! Ummm I think?" He chuckled nervously.
Ryuko, the intellectual and crazed theorist she was, decided to take the plunge and closed the distance between their hands. Her hand gripped his before she hissed in pain and moved her own to her chest as she blew on it.
"Shhhh-! Yup still hurts though!" She chuckled painfully.
"A-Auntie I-I-I'm sorry!" Izuku said in shock. "Y-You were supposed to wait for me to lower the temperature…" He winced.
Ryuko smiled. "Izuku you can not comprehend how amazing this new development is for you! This adds a whole assemble of ways you can use your quirk! Don't worry about this silly little burn, it hurts, but I'm fine, honestly."
Izuku could only nod slowly as he held his hand out to her once more, this time his eyes filled with confidence.
"Try n-now?" He wondered as he thought of lowering the temperature as low as he thought was possible.
With slightly more controlled vigor, Ryuko held her hand inches from his as she brought it closer, this time the fire being a simple dull feeling. It was a surreal experience as she eventually held his hand in its entirety and smiled.
"You've done it." She gasped in awe, her hand feeling ticklish as the flames danced along her small hand.
Izuku beamed proudly as he felt her warm touch, something that even surprised he could feel with his quirk active.
Slowly, Ryuko removed her hand from his, her mind running a marathon as she held her chin in thought.
Izuku could only drop his quirk happily, before he noticed the red mark on her hand, signs of irritation.
He gave her hand a nervous look. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Hmmm?" She wondered as he pointed to her hand.
"Y-Yeah…it's kind of red."
Ryuko tested her hand and felt no sensitivity nor scarring as she brought it up close to them both.
"Looks and feels fine to me see!"
Even at her words, Izuku's worried look did not falter as he looked to the ground in shame.
Ryuko rolled her eyes as she gripped him into a one armed hug, her thoughts quelled for the moment as she smiled.
"Whoa, you're getting almost to my height...that's not fair.." The woman whined as she rubbed his horns gently. "But yes Izuku, I promise it's okay. Hmmm even your body is not as warm to the touch...interesting…" She paused, giving him a grin from ear to ear.
Izuku gulped, he knew that look.
"Let's just say this new development must go through some tests."
Izuku shivered as he felt the ground shake, some of the ground in front of him morphing into a large shape.
"Let's begin…"
That was an extremely tender memory Izuku shared with the blonde woman. And he often found himself thinking back to it whenever he played with his flames. Now, he was not going around setting things on fire, rather he was controlling the flames around his body as best he could. That was another thing he had discovered with the crazed but loving woman. Surprisingly it was relatively easy to pick up within the first year of his training.
His entire body did not have to be on fire in order for it to work. He could, at the moment, use his quirk on his hands, feet, arms, and comically just his head. Though it was ten times more straining to his body than just allowing his whole body to be set a flame.
"IZUKU!"
Izuku yelped as he felt an invisible hand grab his nose.
"Wh-Huh?!" He groaned, swiping at the floating pieces of clothes in front of him.
Toru sighed. "When I offered to come help you with your math homework, I didn't expect I'd be talking to a literal wall."
"Wall?" Izuku muttered in confusion as he looked around his room.
Toru groaned loudly. "It's a figure of speech you doofus!" Though her feigned annoyance only lasted for but a moment as she giggled cutely.
"Sometimes I wonder what Yaomomo sees in you…"
The boy's face grew bright red as his head literally caught on fire.
Instantly, Toru broke out into a laughing fit that spread throughout the entire house.
It didn't take long for the matriarch of the house to make her way to the room as she coyly peeked into the boys room.
Ryuko had to hold her own laughter as she witnessed her son's predicament. She had already known Toru must have said something embarrassing, so what better way than to defend her beloved son than by evening the playing field?
Ryuko, chuckling, entered the room with a smile of her own.
"Now now, Toru…"
The invisible girl tensed, her body turning to face the imposing woman.
Ryuko gave the two a mischievous look as Izuku's flames continued on. "I recall your mother and I gossiping at a coffee shop down the road...I remember quite fondly on how she told me that you found Izuku quite the 'cutie', your words not mine~"
Toru gave the woman a look of complete mortification.
Ryuko crouched down slightly so her face was right in front of Toru's. Or so she hoped.
"Not to mention, on how you seem to have the 'hots', your mother's words again, not mine, for the muscles that Izuku has been developing hmmm~?"
If an invisible person could blush, the two Midoriya's would have never known. The only queue to the girl's embarrassment was for her to stand up in a panic and run screaming out of the room as she made her way to the front door.
Ryuko held in her guttural laughter until she heard the front door to her home slam shut. The woman's howls were loud as she nearly fell to the floor in a laughing fit.
Izuku was not only shocked at what his mother had said, but knowing that Ryuko was most definitely telling the truth, the flames around his head only grew brighter and hotter as her words settled in.
"Damn Ryu, didn't think you had it in you to tease the brats."
Izuku looked at the door frame with a yelp, Rumi stood there offering him a crooked smile.
"Pfff, to think I was the only one who could get this kind of reaction out of you."
Izuku looked to the floor with a blush, the flames on his head glowing a deep green.
Ryuko eventually calmed and stood on shaky legs. Her small giggles broke slightly each time she hiccuped.
"I-I'm sorry s-son. I couldn't help it!" She wheezed, her breath now catching up to her.
Izuku sighed in defeat.
Rumi walked into the room, her arm making way and patting him on the shoulder, her hand feeling the subtle heat from his flames.
"Come on kid. A little bit of embarrassment is nothing compared to what I have planned for us tonight."
Izuku grew stiff, his flames going off immediately.
Rumi smiled darkly. "Ryuko informed me the other day that our runs have gotten...easy was it?"
Izuku quickly stood tall, his eyes looking at his mothers in betrayal. By now his flames had fully calmed and all that remained was his horrified but confused face.
Ryuko felt herself grow small under the boy's panicked gaze.
"R-Rumi you said you wouldn't hold it against him!" She pleaded.
Rumi chuckled. "Of course I wouldn't hold it against him. In fact, I'm proud he finally said they were getting easy...now we can get a bit more serious."
Izuku paled as the much older woman wrapped her arms around his stomach.
"Ohh~ How I've waited for this day…" She sighed in a unlikely fashion.
"M-Mom help me!"
Ryuko could only watch in muted silence as the tanned woman practically carried Izuku out of the room and out the front door. The sight alone was comical as all hell since Izuku's size was much larger than the muscular woman.
She could have sworn she vaguely heard his troubled screams of anguish a distance away but she shook her head with a chuckle for a moment.
She looked at the small bit of math homework that laid on her son's desk. There were two seats pulled up to it and papers strewn all about.
"Huh…" Ryuko hummed as she reached down and picked up a bright pink notebook. "Toru left her notebook, guess I'll go drop it off and apologize…" She murmured.
As the woman made her way to the front door, she found herself pausing at an envelope that laid neatly on a mantle by the door. Now usually she would not have given it a second glance, but with the bright red seal of the hero commission printed on the front of it, Ryuko already knew what laid within.
Setting the notebook down for a second, Ryuko reached over and tore the envelope open. Inside revealed a simple white paper. Upon unfolding Ryuko could not help but smile. Just as she thought, there lay a single sentence written on it. It had the commissioners unfiltered wording all over it.
"You've been cleared for your re-debut; fucking go out there and give them hell."
"Umm I'm all for sitting and watching T.V guys...but why are we watching the news anyways?"
"Because the news is educational and informative." Ryuko said with her finger pointed upward.
"Uh-huh...yeah...you've called claim to it right?"
"HAHA IS THIS REALLY WHAT THE MIGHTY COPS OF THIS PREFECTURE HAVE TO OFFER?! WHERE ARE THE HEROES?!"
"Just as the news relays information to the masses, it also offers a chance for heroes to study villains." Shino continued with a calm smile.
Izuku gave his aunt a curious look. "Ummm why are you smiling auntie?"
Shino ignored him for a moment as she continued to look at the screen.
"Yup he's watching!"
Before Izuku could even wonder and question who Tomoko was on the phone with, his thoughts were interrupted as the villain on the screen grew in size.
"NONE CAN EVEN COMPARE TO MY SIZE! I AM AS STRONG AND AS BIG AS THEY COME. NONE OF YOU COPS HAVE EVEN MOVED TO ATTACK ME WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!"
Izuku's eyes were suddenly glued to the screen as this new development unfolded. For him, this was like any other newscast of a villain attack that was underway. In fact, this was one of the calmer and less violent ones he had seen in a long while. The villain had only attacked three cops and had robbed a bank. But other than that, there were oddly no injuries being reported as this Villain now stood surrounded on all sides.
Even weirder, there was a lack of any heroes on the scene.
"Good luck!"
Tomoko suddenly jumped onto the seat next to Izuku, her arm reaching over and gently tugging at his horns in an endearing fashion.
"There is something else the news can be good for Izu!" The energetic woman exclaimed.
Before Izuku could grow even more confused he heard something he had not heard since a certain incident long ago. A roar, one that was all too familiar to him as his eyes widened.
Almost instantly Izuku's eyes were transfixed on the wide television as he saw a blur swoop in front of the camera and crash the villain into the ground. There was a large cloud of dust and dirt that flew in front of the screen as a large imposing figure stood in the smoke, holding the villain to the ground.
Izuku's eyes widened even more as the camera adjusted to reveal a winged beast. He could feel his eyes tingling softly as well as his horns as he saw his mother standing over the now unconscious man in her dragon form.
Tomoko giggled. "The news is also perfect for a certain re-debut of a famed and once top 8 hero!"
()()()()()
Ryuko felt so alive.
It had been a long while since she used her quirk. She was essentially a 'retired' hero for the moment, and she felt no need to use her quirk. Even her instincts had not minded as they were completely focused on Izuku alone. All her time had been consumed by Izuku and she still did not mind one bit.
But for just a selfish second as her claws held the unmoving but alive man below her. She could not help but roar once more and flex her wings and stand tall as cameras all around her flashed and many onlookers cheered.
"ITS RYUKU!"
"SHE'S RETURNED!"
"THE DRAGON HERO!"
These were just some of the cheers that Ryuko heard as she looked to the camera she knew Izuku was watching from home. With a dragon-like smile, Ryuko dropped her transformation as she walked towards said camera, the now once large villain all but being dragged behind her, his body limp.
Ryuko held the unconscious man in front of her as she smiled.
"It's been far too long since I've been out of hero work. And now, it's time I've returned." This was met by many cheers as the camera now solely focused on her.
Ryuko smiled toothily. "So watch out villains, and aspiring villains alike, the once number one female hero is now back on the scene."
()()()()()
Yawara was glad he was standing back recording Izuku from a corner of the room.
This was somewhat planned by the four of them, alongside Ryuko and Rumi. Villain incidents were almost impossible to predict, but oddly enough the commissioner had allowed Ryuko a special case. Rather, a tip that had specifically been given to another hero about a bank robbery that Ryuko had then been told about. Said hero was okay with giving the limelight to Ryuko in order to 're-debut' the way she did. It was almost too good to be true, and in a sense it was all theatrical.
However, it was obvious to any that watched that Ryuko's threat to all villains was nothing but the truth.
In any case, as Ryuko was out setting herself up for the surprise attack. The bank this man had robbed had purposefully been empty as well as the majority of its money having been moved away from said site. Hence why no police had made way to intervene as there was no obvious threat at hand from this man. Even if those three officers had been attacked, they were perfectly fine as they just stood back up in position.
Unbeknownst to the police then, or even just the other heroes who had wished to intervene and stop this villain, the commissioner herself had informed the police chief of that area as well as other heroes that this was an exclusive case to a single hero and just her alone.
It was a lot of politics that Yawara and the others easily understood, but Izuku's reaction was completely worth the headache.
The young, almost teen, was standing on his feet, his face practically inches from the screen as he watched his mother on the big screen. Judging from the pussycats reactions themselves, he knew they felt what he felt as well.
Izuku was practically shaking with energy. There was this excited and strong aura that the boy gave off, and seeing as how the three women were smiling ear to ear, this plan had gone without a hitch.
"The famous Ryuku has returned to the scene! Her threat is one to be feared so watch out any and all villains! This woman HURTS!"
The eccentric news reporter was of no concern to Izuku now. Izuku only watched in muted awe as Ryuko looked at the camera before giving it a single wave and wink. He knew instantly that it was directed at him, and he was then reminded of Tomoko on the phone. Perhaps he was thinking too deep into it, but who cares!
Izuku could not contain his excitement any longer as he turned and faced the four rescue heroes with a beaming grin. There was a fire burning within his bosom, one that he welcomed with open arms.
"MOM IS A FULL FLEDGED HERO AGAIN!" he cried.
Who would have thought this was what the young boy needed as he instantly jumped into Ryuko's arms surprising the blonde woman.
"Wh-?!" She suddenly cried before smiling. "I'm always down for hugs!" She giggled as she pulled the boy close.
Izuku chuckled before looking up to the woman with a grin.
"Auntie! There's no time! I must start training harder in order to work alongside my mom!"
Ryuko's eyes grew crazed as she lifted the boy in the air, her eyes glowing.
"YESS!" Was all she could scream as she flung him over her shoulder and ran out the house with him. Their crazed laughter all the other three could hear as they disappeared towards the training area.
Tomoko was the first to react as she sighed lovingly.
"He really is excited huh?" She wondered.
"This is exactly what the little man needed." Yawara continued happily, his own grin wide on his face.
Shino laid a palm to her cheek and leaned on it as she looked towards the wide open door with a heartfelt smile.
"Looks like we will be quite busy." She chuckled.
"REMEMBER IZUKU."
Izuku grunted as a fist collided with his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
"Make sure you properly adhere to all of your openings, or that will happen."
Izuku wheezed slightly as Rumi rubbed his horns gently.
"Come on. Don't go kneeling on the floor like that in front of those girls…" She teased. "I've already boasted that you keep up with me easily…don't go and embarrass me too."
Izuku's head dimly lit on fire as his cheeks grew hot.
Rumi chortled loudly as she looked over at the two seated girls.
"Yo invisy, princess, what'd you think of the runt?"
"Madam Miruko, that seemed rather...brutish do you not think?" Momo said in worry as her eyes laid on the still kneeling boy.
Rumi chuckled softly. "I swear you need to tell your father to stop with all that elegant talk classing or whatever the hell it is. You sound fucking ridiculous."
Momo blushed hotly as she looked away from the hero.
"B-But daddy s-says-!"
Rumi scoffed. "Bah! Danno is too classical for my taste. Emiko on the other hand is right up my alley."
Rumi ignored the confused look Momo gave her as she looked to Toru.
"Well invisy?"
Toru giggled cutely. "You know, I'm surprised and pretty proud he made it so long without getting knocked like that".
Rumi smiled largely. "Heh, I guess letting you two sit in on his spar training was not so bad after all. I'm assuming you noticed he's gradually getting better?"
Toru nodded firmly. "From what Ms. Midoriya had told me of Izuku's growth. I know he can keep up with you, even if you're holding back…"
Rumi chuckled hotly. "HA! I like this one Izuku! Her observations are on point."
Toru chuckled herself. "He is obviously getting stronger and better than what he was when we were younger right?"
Rumi nodded firmly, her arms now crossed.
"Exactly."
Momo sighed. "Be that as it may, Izuku are you okay?" She called over to him gently.
Izuku raised a thumbs up in her direction, but he did not move from his kneeling position as he still clutched at his stomach.
Rumi walked over and gave the overly worrying girl a firm tossle of her onyx black hair.
"I like you too, princess. You care deeply for him, I like that." Rumi stated calmly. "Having two friends like you, I know he'll be fine."
Rumi did not look back to the two, but if she did she would have seen their blushing but smiling faces… at least one of them could be seen that was.
"Come on Izuku. Your mother promised me if I brought you home in one piece tonight she would make us Katsudon. So I took the liberty to not beat you up too much."
Izuku could only offer a wheezed chuckle as he stood, taking the woman's hand.
Suddenly Izuku found himself enveloped in an embrace as his much taller form now somewhat towered over the shorter hero. Miruko sighed as she hugged the boy.
"Good job kid. In two days we will-!"
"R-Rumi!" The boy suddenly exclaimed, his head suddenly catching on fire.
"Fuu-!" Rumi yelped as one of her ears singed at the tip.
"What the fuck Izuku!" She grew livid as Izuku's head continued into its flaming mess.
"N-Not when they are aro-around…" Izuku quickly stuttered.
"Not when…" Her eyes grew cross as she looked at the two confused girls. "You mean hugging in front of them?!"
Izuku nodded hastily, already feeling the woman's ire coming from a mile away.
Toru and Momo had no idea what exactly was going on, but they were somewhat surprised when the hero had hugged Izuku so casually. There was nothing wrong with that, and it should have been obvious that with being as close as she was to Izuku and Ryuko. It was no surprise the two would be affectionate like a family would. Either way, it was an odd sight to see the famed strong and most powerful female hero being so casual and even loving.
"So you're telling me I can't hug you when those two are around?" Rumi said darkly. "They need to be gone. Got it."
Toru and Momo gulped.
Rumi turned to face them. "Sorry you two, nothing personal. But I need my Cinnamon roll hugs."
The two girls paled visibly (one of them) and they immediately started backing up and away from the short but violent woman.
"W-Wait!" Izuku said as he grabbed the woman by her shoulder.
Rumi ignored his plea. "Don't worry Izu. This will only take a second."
Before Momo and Toru could start running for their actual lives, Rumi suddenly smirked, then snorted, then broke out into a boisterous laughter.
Which in turn confused the three even more.
"My god! You three are to easy! What kind of hero would I be to harm a couple of children?" She guffawed.
"W-What?" The three simultaneously said.
Rumi calmed slightly as she walked passed them.
"But for real Izuku I always expect a hug after every training session. We have always done that. You will not take that from me. I don't give a fuck that those two are around and you better not either." She said firmly.
The woman cast a dangerous glare to the two cowering teens for real this time then continued on her way away from the three.
"By the way, Izuku." Rumi continued. "The answer is no. I will not allow them to train alongside us."
Izuku's face turned into one of surprise.
"W-Wait you knew I was gonna ask-"
"Yes. And the answer is no." The rabbit hero's look grew cold as she turned to face them.
Both Toru and Momo shuffled uncomfortably as Rumi fixed them with her cold gaze.
"You two are weak. I don't care much for the weak. I sometimes wonder why Izuku hangs around you two so much. Just about the only thing you offer him is a quality friendship, but other than that what do you two even have?"
A dead silence fell between the three as Rumi's crossed look gazed between them.
Before either of the girls could react, Izuku quickly stepped forward, an angry look in his eyes.
"H-Hey!" He yelled. "Miruko what the hell?!"
Rumi's face contorted into one of distaste.
"First of all. You do not call me Miruko. You call me Rumi. Second, who the hell do you think you are raising your voice at me?"
Izuku shook his head, his angered look not faltering.
"No! I'll call you what I want, especially when you're being mean to my friends!"
Rumi crossed her arms.
"Is that right?" She smiled darkly.
Izuku's upfront attitude caved slightly, but he held strong.
"Ye-Yeah! You can't call my friends weak! They are stronger than m-me in many ways!"
Rumi looked back to the two girls who looked like they wanted to be anywhere but there. She scoffed.
"Look. Maybe that was mean, and sure I apologize for saying the truth. But I mean it Izuku. Don't you ever raise your voice at me again."
Izuku's nostrils flared for a second, subtle puffs of smoke coming out as he looked away from her and back to his friends.
"Sorry guys. I'll just ask the Pussycats if you can join alongside us."
Momo was quick to answer. "Izuku it's fine really! We don't want to cause trouble for you and your training."
"B-But!"
Toru giggled next. "For real Izuku we will be fine. Plus, you never even said you were gonna do this. Besides…" She paused, looking back at the rabbit hero. "We will show her we aren't so weak."
A sudden fire flashed in Rumi's eyes as she imagined where the girl's eyes would be. Even if she was invisible there was this presence in her words that made Rumi smile dangerously.
"Whatever you runts say. Come on Izuku guarantee your mother is waiting for us."
Izuku sighed deeply as he turned back to his friends with a gentle smile.
"T-Thanks for letting us use the garden for today Y-Yaomomo."
Momo blushed slightly before giving a small bow. "O-Of course Izuku. You know I'll do anything for my best friends."
Izuku blushed himself before looking at Toru.
"Are you guys having a sleepover again?" He questioned.
Toru, though invisible, somehow expressed her excitement perfectly as she grabbed Momo around the neck in a chummy fashion as she laid an Invisible arm on her hip.
"Yup! Yaomomo and I are going to finish up this movie we caught a glimpse of the other day…" The young girl paused.
"It had vampires and werewolf's or something right?"
Momo chuckled gentle and nodded. "Yes. It's called Van Helsing. Apparently it's corny and generic, so says my father."
Izuku nodded, a mirthful look on his face as he gave them a nod.
"I've seen it before! It's...ummm yeah you'll see." He chuckled. "Anyways goodnight guys! See you at school on Monday!"
The two young girls waved them off as Rumi and Izuku made their way out of the garden, and then to the front of the Yaoyorozu's mansion.
"Rumi why'd you tell them that?" Izuku suddenly asked, a bit of distaste in his words.
Rumi said nothing at first as they saw Danno and Emiko approaching them. They wore workout attire, and from the looks of it they had just gotten back from a run.
"Oh! Leaving already you two?" Emiko questioned as she paused by the front gates Danno following close behind.
Rumi nodded. "Yeah the runt needs to go home, shower, and eat. Don't need momma dragon throwing a fit."
Emiko giggle cutely as she reached down and ruffled Izuku's hair.
"I still can't believe how much you have grown." The woman paused as she watched her daughter and best friend hurriedly running into the massive house. "Soon you, Momo, and Toru will be a grade higher, then eventually in middle school…" She continued.
Danno whistled in a long fashion. "Wow, Time sure does fly." He looked down and gave Izuku a nod. "Remember kid, you are to be wedded to my daughter, don't you forget that."
Izuku's face grew red hot as he sputtered uncontrollably, his head aflame once more.
Emiko sighed. "Danno one of these days I feel you'll be the death of him."
Rumi chuckled. "Nah, I'd probably be the one to do it."
This garnered a small laugh from all three of the adults as Izuku sighed and rubbed at his temples, his flames dissipating.
He sure loved his family, but the adults in his life had a tendency to just bring his heart rate to heights no preteen should be at.
"Anyway's have a safe drive home you two, Rumi try not to get another ticket yeah?"
Rumi rolled her eyes as her eyes flicked to the right. "Whatever you say."
"Bye Izuku! Tell Ryuko we said hi!" Danno said as the two finally made their way out the front gate and to a parked car within the mansions compound.
For a moment, Izuku had forgotten his question from earlier, but Rumi had not. In fact…
"They are weak and useless as far as I can see. I'd say they are slowing you down and hindering your progress in every single way possible. I say ditch the deadweight and focus on yourself."
Izuku's eyes grew wide in disbelief and hurt.
Rumi felt her heart sting for a second as she stopped in her tracks to face him. Her scarlet eyes looking into his emerald ones.
She continued softly. "I say that as if you were me, but you are not me Izuku. You're something far greater and I can promise you that having those two around are actually for your own good. I said what I said because I meant it."
Rumi paused, her hand now on his check as she rubbed it softly.
"I know what I said was harsh and honestly fucked up. I know kid. However it is up to them to decide what they do with that 'reality check' and if they can become stronger not only for you, but for themselves. Keep them around, but don't coddle them. Only then will I even believe they have a chance." She shrugged now making her way to the car with some final words. "And if they stop being your friends after some harsh words from me, screw'em. They weren't worth an ounce of your time then."
"If I'm not mistaken, your son will be entering middle school next week?"
Ryuko smiled gently, her eyes going soft as she gave a nod.
"That he is. To think my baby boy is already eleven years old…" Her eyes grew far. "It still feels like yesterday you know?"
"That bastard is paying the price. Little fucking ant is still comatose. There really is a god."
Ryuko chuckled gently.
"We both know I'm the reason for that…"
The commissioner snorted. "Damn right you did. Don't know what that damned 'stare' of yours does, but I'd say we should use it as a form of capital punishment."
With a shake of her head, Ryuko continued on. "Commissioner, has there been any word on Dreamscape or Spout?"
The larger than life woman scoffed and shook her head.
"No. They are still missing, as are those other fucks. I'd say they crawled into a hole somewhere and fucked off alongside them."
Ryuko sighed. "Always so vulgar commissioner…."
The commissioner chortled loudly. "Pfff just cause I have a vagina doesn't mean I have to act like one. That's a job for pretty ladies like yourself. Not literal cunts like me.
Ryuko rolled her eyes. "Anything else of interest commissioner?"
The woman shook her head, sighing as she leaned back in her chair.
"I'll be honest with you. It's been relatively quiet in the villain world, no kingpins, top dogs, bosses or whatever they are have shown their faces. In fact, crime rate is an all time low, the lowest it has been in months."
Ryuko nodded. "That's good though. But…."
The commissioner nodded in agreeance, though only for a second.
"But exactly. Something big is either happening, something is finally coming out, or it's a mixture of everything. Whatever it is, I'm sure as glad you're out of retirement for it."
Ryuko smiled. "As am I. I know it has helped Izuku immensely."
In a rare instance, the ever stoic and hard woman smiled.
"Other than school, how is he? With everything?"
Ryuko sighed blissfully, as her chest gave a slight rumble.
"He's doing amazing. His training with Miruko and the Pussycats has done wonders for him. Even his two best friends have helped him in ways I could have never hoped for. Izuku is in the best place he has ever been in. There's just one thing though…"
The commissioner rose a brow at this.
Ryuko felt a slight pang in her stomach, though ignored the feeling for now.
"Obviously Tomoko, Ryuko, and Yawara have their respective areas they help Izuku in. It's just with Shino...I know those two are hiding something from me."
The commissioner leaned back in her chair.
"Is that right?" The woman pondered her look far.
Ryuko nodded worriedly. "I know it's not my place to ask her or him. That was what we agreed on when she took on the role of his psychiatrist; but I just can't help but worry."
The commissioner only nodded her head as she looked at a digital clock on her desk.
"Im sure it's fine." The woman rose, fixing the sides of her long sleeve as she patted her shirt. "I'm glad we were able to catch up some Ryuko. But you need to get going, the briefing about the Ratka Syndicate is being held on the eighth floor as we speak."
Ryuko nodded as she gave the woman one final nod.
"It was good catching up somewhat, commissioner, keep me updated on anything revolving around Hisashi's men; or said man for that matter."
The commissioner nodded her head as she waved the dragon woman out of her office.
"Of course, now get going you are the leader of that operation after all."
Ryuko chuckled as she made her way to the door. "It would seem unprofessional if the leader was late."
The commissioner chuckled as the dragon hero walked out of her office and disappeared.
As soon as Ryuko left her office, the commissioner frowned as she sat back down at her desk and turned on her personal work computer. The woman's frown did not falter as the computer booted up and displayed the home screen.
Almost immediately her previous session had been saved and on it was a video. Said video was of both Shino and Izuku walking hand in hand in the halls of Tartarus. The woman seemed worried and on edge as Izuku held onto her hand. Then, just as they turned a corner and into a room, the feed changed and in walked Shino and Izuku into a certain room where an unconscious man laid hooked up to many machines. Not to mention chained up and surrounded by multiple other cameras as the figure laid unmoving.
The commissioner shook her head, a look of slight distaste on the corners of her lips. "Shino, what the fuck were you thinking?"
"Absofuckinglutely not."
Shino winced.
"Tomoko please, she's only askin-"
"No I don't care. The answer is a resounding fucking no. It's a horrible idea, it's in poor taste, it'll be traumatic, it'll be chaotic, it'll be disastrous and...AND!" The green haired woman gripped her hair and shook it frantically. "God almighty Shino?! Have you no shame?!"
"Tomoko. Stop it. That's enough."
Tomoko's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Yawara. I expected you of all people to be just as upset and bothered as I am!"
The tiger man shook his head. "Don't misplace my controlled emotions for me not being angered at what Shino is planning. I'm furious."
Tomoko grew a crazed look. "Then what's the problem then?!"
Ryuko sighed herself. "Please, everyone calm down for a second."
The blonde haired woman watched as her two colleagues calmed slowly, although, of the two, Tomoko was still shaking.
Ryuko laid her hand gently across the visibly distressed woman's hand.
"Tomoko, calm down, please. Anger will get us nowhere. Obviously if Shino is telling us this. It's for a reason."
Tomoko looked to the ground, her scowl obvious to all.
"You three weren't there when we found him. NONE OF YOU-"
"Izuku is asleep upstairs for Christ sake Tomoko. Lower your voice now." Yawara said dangerously.
Tomoko looked to the ground, her voice forceful but quiet. "The distraught look on his face, the pure joy as he finally saw Ryuko and I. The euphoria that washed over me as we finally had him."
Her look grew crazed oncemore, her eyes now looking into Shino's. "And you want to take him back to the man who started it all?" Tomoko spat. "You should be ashamed."
Shino hung her head low, the telltale sign of tears brimming her eyes.
Tomoko was enraged to say the least.
The four of them sat amongst themselves in Ryuko's home on the compound. After having a long day of training, the four of them returned to Ryuko's for dinner as Izuku had been staying with them a lot longer ever since his mother hopped on the Ratka case.
This was the second weekend in a row that Izuku had stayed with them, and having him around had done wonders for them. Not to mention with how quiet the villain world had been for a moment, there had been no need for their services in awhile. Even natural disasters seemed to be calm for the moment.
So when Shino brought up what Izuku had asked of her, of course she was instantly meant with ire and disappointment from all of them. However there was one major problem. Shino had already done it.
Judging by her friends' reactions they took her words in another form as they assumed she was bringing it up that she was going to take him. Shino was a terrible liar, always has been. She knew she was going to tell the truth but damn she was fearful of what Tomoko was going to do.
The normally always cheerful and loving woman was a completely different person when she was angered. Especially if it involved Izuku.
As the other three continued to silently argue now, Tomoko's voice overpowering all of them. None of them noticed that their loud voices had obviously woken up the twelve year old, who now stood at the top steps of the stairs, his eyes looking down at them with confusion but also worry.
"Am I the only sane one here right now?" Tomoko hissed through her teeth. Her eyes looked to the other two incredulously.
"No one is saying that Tomoko. We are just saying that Shino would only ask us if she can take him for a solid reason." Ryuko said calmly. "She's his psychiatrist. Not you."
"For all we know the little man asked her to take him, not the other way around. So. Calm. Down." Yawara continued.
"I already did.." Shino suddenly cut in.
"It doesn't matter Yawa! Ryuko! At the end of the day Izuku does not need to be exposed to his trauma if it can be helped, dammit!"
"Tomoko im going to use my quirk and wrap my arms around your mouth if you don't quiet down." Yawara threatened.
Ryuko was the next to speak. "Maybe if we run it by Ryu it'll be o-?"
"I already took him to see Hisashi…." Shino said a bit louder, her words catching in her throat as a feeling of impending doom consumed her.
The room grew deathly silent as Tomoko gave her full attention to her now crying friend.
Everyone froze in the room as Tomoko's quirk was activated. It was instinctual really, but the feeling of dread that washed over them was instant as Ryuko and Yawara quickly leaped and grabbed the now volatile greenette.
Tomoko said no words as she slowly approached Shino with a look she would never forget. If looks could kill, this would be a prime example of that. However, if any of them would have been paying attention to anything other than what was going on, they would have noticed Izuku was now standing at the bottom of the stairs shakily calling out to them. To which none of them heard as Ryuko and Yawara held the woman with all their might as she slowly inched her way towards the sobbing Shino.
"Tomoko stop!" Ryuko grunted.
"What the hell! Stop!" Yawara continued, his feet being dragged along the tile.
Tomok said nothing, her eyes giving off their ominous glow as her face was contorted into one of pure anger.
Before any of them could use their quirks, their collective attention was broken when Shino's eyes grew wide as she laid her hands over her mouth.
At her odd behaviour Tomoko's focus returned for a moment as she felt the permanent marker she had placed on a specific someone standing right behind them.
Ryuko and Yawara were already looking in the other direction to the silently crying Izuku. Even at twelve years old and matching the height of Both Tomoko and Shino, the sight of a crying Izuku was something they never wished to see.
Izuku's eyes were tingling slightly, his quirk slightly lit on his hands as he looked at them all in fear. Tomoko's tense disposition instantly dropped as she turned fully towards the teen. Her eyes grew soft instantly as she looked towards him. She instinctively reached a hand out to him and his reaction stung more than any form of damage she sustained from villains or rubble from large buildings ever could.
Izuku winced, his feet backpedalling slightly.
The four heroes looked at his movements in shock before three of them looked at Tomoko. The woman's face was one of distress, hurt, pain, and everything in between.
Before any of them could say anything Tomoko quickly turned around and sprinted out the back door, her obvious tears and choked sobs following her as she simply disappeared into the night woods.
As Izuku watched the woman run outside, he himself realized that he was subconsciously using his own quirk. Just as quickly as she ran out, Izuku's own legs moved on their own as he took off in a dead run after her.
It all happened in a matter of seconds but Izuku knew he had to follow her. The surprised gasp of the others did not stop him as he ran right past them and straight in the direction of the green haired woman.
"W-Wait!" Ryuko shouted but her call fell on deaf ears as even Yawara could only look on in silence.
As Izuku left the building, the silence was only broken from the panicked sobs and hiccups of Shino. Who could only fall limp on the floor as she felt the effects of Tomoko's quirk wear off instantaneously.
The odd thing about Tomoko's quirk of course was her ability to permanently mark up to two people. Izuku being one of them, and unfortunately the last being Dreamscape for the time being. As per the time Tomoko caught sight of the man years ago atop the building, the feeling of dread that envelops one when under her quirk when it was filled with malicious intent? It was safe to say the feeling was intense and drained almost all energy in one's body within seconds if activated in such a way.
An odd side effect and alternate ability of her quirk, but one that Tomoko rarely if ever used since she mainly focused on rescuing, not offensive capabilities.
So almost immediately Yawara was quick to come to his comrades aid as he quickly held Shino up and gently laid a hand on her head as he slowly talked her into breathing slowly.
Ryuko could only look on in sadness as her friend laid on the floor in a puddled mess. Her choked sobs and apologies filling the room as she continually hiccuped her heartfelt pleas for forgiveness from any who would hear.
"Shhhh, Shino, you need to calm down. Breathe. We both know Tomoko's quirk does this if used in sudden bursts." He eased. "Everything's fine. Everyone's fine."
"B-But Tomoko and Izuku" Shino quickly sputtered amongst her tear filled rage.
Ryuko was next to come and comforted her friend as she seemingly saw Tomoko and Izuku disappear in the distance.
"Yawara?" Ryuko quickly questioned as she looked back in their direction.
The man simply shook his head as Ryuko sighed herself before laying a comforting hand against the sobbing woman's hair. Whilst her other touched the ground.
Yawara nodded gently as he looked back towards the woman.
"A safety measure if you would." Ryuko simply stated as a large figure made of mud rose outside and walked away from the scene.
"Thank you." Yawara continued as he gently held Shino's head with his own hands.
"Why?" He simply questioned.
She said nothing for a few minutes, her quiet sobs and hiccups the only sound to be heard in her home.
Ryuko and Yawara were just about to be speak before Shino finally raised her head, her eyes meeting their own.
At this point, she had somehow managed to calm down to squeeze out a few words as her heart rate returned to a normal beat
The two hero's winced slightly at the defeated look in their peers' eyes. Her hair was a mess, and her arms shook as her mouth opened to speak.
"He needed to." She suddenly spoke, her words surprisingly not failing her.
There was a couple of seconds of silence before Ryuko spoke.
"What reason would he need to see him?"
Shino shook her head, her hands turning into fists as she continued to tremble.
Yawara sighed, his eyes looking to the open double door just a couple of feet away. His gaze lingered as he could just vaguely see the golem the blonde haired woman had sent out trailing behind what he could only assume where the two had gone.
"How far?" He suddenly questioned.
Ryuko in turn gently laid a hand on the tile below her, her head shaking knowingly as she stood once more.
"It's fine. Even if Tomoko is faster than all of us, I can just barely sense her pace, and she's making sure at least Izuku can keep up."
Yawara chuckled gently before looking back at Shino as she had calmed now. Though she still hiccuped and sniffled.
"Shino?" He questioned.
Said woman had an off putting look, her eyes distant. Her eyes lingered on the door, her thoughts unknown to the other two. Yet, they could almost sense what she might have been thinking.
"You realise she did not mean it, Shino."
Shino stood, her gaze still lingering.
"O-Of course, I know that." She gulped slightly. "I can just feel her quirk waning faintly off of me." She shivered. "W-What a terrifying feeling…" She mumbled, her gaze now looking to her feet below her.
Yawara was quick to lay a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder, their eyes meeting as he offered a gentle smile.
"I will be honest with you. I'm very upset at you, dare I say overwhelmingly filled with anger…"
Shino winced.
"But, we all promised you, alongside Ryuko, that we would not question you two on whatever happens during your meetings." He sighed. "But this is a tough one sister."
Shino chuckled dryly as she in turn looked to Ryuko for any words she had to say.
She looked disappointed, but her eyes were soft.
"I understand." She suddenly said, the heroine now approaching what was the equivalent to her sibling.
She now laid her hand on the woman's head, their height equal in length. She could only offer a small smile as she patted her gently on her cheek.
"You promised you would tell us if he ever asked for something so…" She paused, looking for the words.
"Stupid?" Shino hiccuped.
Ryuko chuckled. "I was thinking of a stronger word for it, but sure!"
This caused the three heroes to laugh in tandem. As the tense atmosphere around them diminished.
"I will say this though." Ryuko continued.
Her words made Shino tense once more.
"Don't EVER. Think of doing something so reckless again, especially if it involves Izuku."
"Ever again." Yawara sternly ended.
Shino nodded sadly, her hair bobbing with her movements as her two counterparts gave her shoulders a gentle grip that she could only tell was filled with love, but also disappointment.
It made her feel awful all the same.
"Anything Ryuko?" Yawara questioned as the heroine had already made way to the open door. The blonde haired woman nodded as her hand now laid on the dirt outside.
"He caught up, or rather Tomoko and him are sitting on our cliff." She smiled.
The other two also knowingly smiled as they now made their way towards the woman outside.
"Let's take our time." Yawara continued as Shino simply nodded along as the trio now made their way to the cliff, a couple of minutes away with the pace they were taking.
Izuku's legs were just barely on fire as he chased after Tomoko. He had Rumi to thank for that as his pace 'kept up' with the hero. He knew for a fact she was purposefully keeping a steady pace, for the simple reason she wanted to keep an eye on him. Even if she did not want to probably see him right now with the way he had reacted.
He winced.
Izuku did not know why he reacted the way he did, but the aura around the greenette when using her quirk in such a way reminded him of terrible things.
Trauma. Shino's words echoed in his mind from their many sessions.
He hated that word. It reminded him of all the horrible things he had to endure whilst with his father, to which he had many mixed feelings on. He felt a sense of love for the now comatosed man, but also a sense of dread at the thought of him. He did not mind the time they spent together, but also it terrified him truly.
Izuku could only chuckle dryly as his underlying issues involving his psyche were once again at the forefront of his mind. He knew for a fact this was a major issue of his, but what use would dwelling on it solve in the long run.
The young man could only clutch his fist angrily as the complexity of his mind and troubles only added on to his further guilt as he continued after the older woman.
I should not have reacted the way I did.
He kept telling himself but he knew it was of no use.
"Man do I really have problems." He dryly told himself as he was now heading uphill towards what looked to be a cliff.
In moments when he was alone, Izuku felt he was more mature than he realized, especially when around those he loved dearly. He felt he had to be as strong as he could be around them when in reality only Shino knew the complexities of his issues. Which he was grateful for the woman having kept them a secret all this time.
Until today when she told them I went to see my father.
He shook his head, his pace having allowed him to reach the top of the cliff in record time as Tomoko sat alone near the edge, there was oddly a bench up here.
Izuku's heavy footsteps stopped mere feet behind her as the woman gave no indication she knew he was there but that was of course a ridiculous thought.
Izuku stood in silence as Tomoko sat, her shoulders sagging and her hair flat. Her demeanour alone filled him with sadness as he knew he was responsible for how she was feeling.
His fist clenched as he garnered the courage to move and sit alongside his favourite hero. He noticed her visibly cringe as his added weight displaced the bench.
The two sat in silence for a few minutes as Tomoko did not dare to look at Izuku. She knew his eyes would show the same fear he felt only moments ago. The same stare he had given her all those years ago in the field. One of fear and hope, but this time it was only unfiltered fear of her.
Just the thought of it was enough for her to choke out a sob as her hand quickly rushed to her mouth, her trembles now on full display as she broke.
Her cries were long and hard as she looked to the side, her hair covering her face as Izuku could only watch on in muted silence as his favourite hero, next to his mother, was sobbing in such a way that made him feel uneasy. It was almost as if he had failed her, at least that's how he felt.
She continued to wail loudly, her cries echoing all over the forest below them as she now held her face in her hands, her body scooting over subconsciously away from the young teen.
Her movement was what made Izuku take action in a surprising manner. He stood, his added weight now removed allowed Tomoko to truly sink into herself as she winced when she sensed he was now standing in front of her.
With steady hands, and a determined look, he gently cuffed the woman's wrist with his hands and moved them apart. She covered her face with her hair, her eyes closed shut as she looked to the ground in worry. Even after all of this, the older hero was worried and sickened at the idea he was fearful of her. The very thought induced dark thoughts in her head as the bottom of the cliff looked so inviting in her troubled mind. However, his touch rid those thoughts as his gaze did not falter from hers, she could sense it with her quirk even if he might have not known it. Cautiously, Tomoko opened her eyes and looked up at Izuku.
Their eyes met and the look on her face was one he was never going to forget. For a split second violence crossed his mind for whoever dared let such a natural beauty such as her look like this, but he had caused it. He was the reason she was in the mess she was in. He was the reason Shino herself broke what appeared to be a morally ethical code agreed upon by the hero group, his mother and Rumi.
Before his mind could linger any longer, something clicked within him that only he knew would ease all of the heroine's worries in front of him.
With the most sincere smile, and with surprising courage he could only believe rivalled All Might's. He looked at Tomoko with one phrase in his mind.
"No need to cry, your hero is here." He said proudly, his grip slowly letting her arms reach her side as she suddenly stood up straight. A large and vibrant blush on her cheeks as she looked at him with shaky eyes.
Almost immediately she embraced him, and Izuku returned the gesture tenfold as he allowed himself to cry alongside her.
The effect was immediate as Tomoko pleaded Izuku for forgiveness, for any sense of words he might say that would show he was not fearful of her.
He hugged her, a hand on her head as the much larger teen held the much smaller woman. The feeling of serenity and safeness he felt with her reminded him of his mother…the both of them. It was a feeling he promised himself he would not soon forget.
"I-I'm sorry." Tomoko choked out, her grip only getting tighter.
Izuku shook his head, for there really was nothing to be sorry about, even if he would never admit to any of them his true underlying issues that he had yet to figure out himself.
Everyone already worries for me, there's no reason to make it worse. He thought to himself.
"There is nothing to be sorry for Raggy."
At the use of his childhood nickname for her, her eyes only widened as she looked him in the eyes with a shaky smile.
"Y-You haven't called me that in a year or so…"
Izuku chuckled gently as he wondered if that was even true. Though he did not say as he wiped a tear from her eye.
"I don't like when my favourite hero cries…" He mumbled to himself, his eyes looking at her face as he wiped more off.
Tomoko could only chuckle sweetly as he persisted to wipe her eyes as they continued to fall.
"I assure you h-hero they are not stopping anytime soon."
Izuku laughed himself as they officially broke their embrace, his tall stature towering over her sitting one.
Tomoko could only look up to him in awe as the years of training and discipline had shown itself true as the moon painted him in such a way she could only admire as a proud parent would. He had come a long way, and it seemed he still worried about others more than himself that much was true.
"I-I" She tried to find her words, before she sighed and looked off into the distance. "I worry for you Zu. Always. I wish I could take away all the bad in the world just so you would never have to experience it but…"
Izuku smiled sadly. "It's impossible Raggy and you know it…"
Tomoko could only chuckle bitterly as she looked up at him. "I only want to protect you anyway I can."
Izuku could only nod as he hugged her once more, her worrying sigh only fueling his need to get stronger in a sense.
"W-When I'm bigger and stronger I promise you I will be doing the protecting…"
Tomoko could only hum as she nodded her head slowly. "Even then, nothing will stop me from worrying about you, stop US from worrying about you." She finished as her quirk picked up three figures approaching her.
Before the two could say anything else. It was at this moment the others had made their presence somewhat known as they stood a few yards away having watched everything unfold in front of them with tears of their own and smiles. Tomoko's eyes looked at Yawara and Ryuko with trepidation, but when her eyes locked with Shino, the greenette winced visibly.
Izuku slowly backed away as they approached Tomoko.
Suddenly the other three made their way to them and embraced her. Izuku could only watch on in silence as the hero team hugged and cried it out together in such a way only a loving family would. There were many sorries and understandings said, especially between Tomoko and Shino, that Izuku felt at ease knowing that this would most likely not affect them in the slightest.
He felt his eyes itching slightly alongside his horns as looking over them filled him with a strange feeling. Almost like pride in his family as he thought of everyone suddenly that was involved in his life. It filled him with so much warmth he felt his body getting hot from his quirk. There was a deep and steady beating in his heart that without question, seemed unnatural to him at this point.
Mine.
His eyes widened at this, his blood running cold. He looked all around to see if they had heard it too but the group was still having their moment. The pace of his heart did not falter as deep and rhythmic booms filled his body.
Izuku liked the feeling immensely. He felt the urge to embrace whatever this was for but a moment.
My hoard.
2 years later
Izuku felt sweat trickling down his brow as he felt the immense weight rake over his body. It was a natural feeling he grew accustomed to, but it was never any easier.
"Come on kid! Just one more rep!"
Izuku gave a triumphant shout as he managed to lift the weight off of him and nearly slam it into a rack just above him. With a happy sigh and sore arms and chest, Izuku felt his arms give way as they fell flatly below him, his fingertips just barely grazing the floor below.
"THAT'S THE STRONG MAN I KNOW." Yawara said, accompanied by one of his signature flexes of his own.
Izuku chuckled as he felt a pair of deep red eyes staring into his green ones just from above.
He smiled.
"Proud of you kid, your progress is fucking phenomenal."
Izuku blushed deeply at Rumi's heartfelt words that would seem confusing to others, but between the two of them? It was natural.
"Th-Thanks Rumi." He continued, as he now was seated on the bench.
Rumi gave him a solid and hard pat on the back as the boy winced in pain.
"Hmmm…" She wondered as she felt alongside his shoulders. "It's kind of amazing what two years of pure work can do."
Izuku smiled before his eyes widened in panic as Rumi cuffed his chest and squeezed.
"It's a shame your genetics didn't give you an ogre body like meathead over there…" She squeezed his pecs again. "But damn do you have the slender, lean, and built physique like me and your mom."
"R-Rumi!" Izuku cried, his head now vibrant hot as it was lit with green fire.
Yawara could only chuckle as the woman continued to torture the still young teen as her prodding only began to cease when Izuku covered his hands with his face.
Rumi chortled loudly and proudly as she smiled mischievously. "Good to know I still have that effect on you. Keeps you humble."
"Keep telling yourself that. You enjoy doing that deep down anyways." Yawara was quick to say.
Rumi could only shrug her shoulders in an about fashion as she ignored what he had said.
"Good job kid. Those U.A. fucks will not know what hit them this coming weekend."
Izuku could only sigh in defeat as he now stood. "This weekend." He continued, reaching for a bottle of water by his bag and swigging it all down.
Yawara nodded. "It is pretty surreal knowing you will be going to U.A. within the next two months or so kid." He smiled proudly. "It's amazing to think you were just a little man only years ago."
Izuku chuckled. "First I have to pass the exam Yawa, not to mention the physical part of it."
"Which you will pass with flying colors." Rumi said triumphantly. "You have shown all of us the progress you have made. There is no way you will fail." She finished with finality.
Izuku could only look at the two with pride as he nodded. "I will not let you two down or anyone else. That I can promise." He sighed. "S-Still I can not be so confident I still should be cautious of whatever the tests will be about."
"Well that's easy it's-!"
Yawara gave the woman a shake of his head as his hand left her mouth.
Rumi's red eyes were filled with fury. "Who the FUCK do you think you are shutting me up?!"
Yawara simply shrugged off her aggressiveness as he looked at Izuku with a smile.
"Whatever it is, I just know you will succeed better than anyone else."
Izuku nodded as he looked to the still fuming Rumi who only grew redder as the man ignored her.
"You. Fucking. PUTRID LITTLE-"
"How are your little girlfriends by the way?" Yawara quickly said in hopes the conversation would move into something he knew would garner the woman's deep attention. Deep down Yawara was afraid of the volatile woman so when her anger moved onto something else he could only praise whatever gods above that it worked.
Almost instantly Izuku's face and head grew red hot as it was aflame once more as he covered his ears with his hands.
"T-They are not my girlfriends!" He whined, his head feeling dizzy.
Mine.
Izuku shivered at the feeling he felt in his body and soul when he 'heard' that again.
For the last two and a half years this was his deepest and darkest kept secret.
Well one of many he thought
He still did not know what this voice, or rather feeling was. It came up once or twice a month if that, and of course when it was about his two best friends.
My hoard.
Izuku shivered as Rumi could only hum judgingly as she looked at him.
"Awfully seems like they are your girlfriends with how you reacted." She questioned. "Which reminds me, how are they even doing those NPCS?"
Izuku felt anger flare in his heart for a split second before he calmed. There's a reasoning behind Rumi's way of speaking about them in such a fashion, but he still did not have to like it.
"They are not NPCS." He stated firmly. "Their names are Toru and Momo."
Rumi rolled her eyes.
"Still does not change a thing. Anyways, how are they?"
Izuku could only sigh as the feeling in his chest slowly dissipated as he patted his heart.
Rumi took notice instantly as did Yawara, but only Rumi had her deep inklings of what it could have meant.
"With the help of Danno and Emiko, their training has been going amazing. Danno pulled out all the stops for them to train." His eyes grew dark. "Even though you would not let them train with us."
Rumi hummed to herself, her foot tapping the floor repeatedly as she took in what he said with an unreadable look.
"Good." Was all the rabbit hero could say as she started to get her own bag. "Best we all call it a day, I can tell you're tired Izuku." She said a lot more gently.
Izuku nodded as the other two grabbed their bags as well and made their way out of the gym on the pussycats compound.
"Great job, like always big man." Yawara finished. "You're at the beginning of your true journey."
Izuku chuckled and nodded. "Thanks again you two, Rumi, Yawa, I appreciate you guys immensely."
Rumi offered him her trademark grin and a pinch on the cheek as he towered over her, while Yawara flexed a bicep in his direction.
The three walked in comfortable silence as a house came into view from a distance.
It was nearly two years ago that Izuku had comforted Tomoko on that cliff side, and when this feeling spoke to him in his mind. It was that point forward a deeper and darker drive within his heart drove him to fight harder for his family. They were all giving him their all and he had hoped he showed them the fruits of their labour. Even if all of them noticed his staggering development, they worriedly questioned amongst themselves what may have changed.
Their ongoing theory was having seen Tomoko at the lowest point of her life, something had clicked in his head at that moment. However, unbeknownst to him, Rumi especially had taken notice how he seemed to get lost in his head a lot more as well as pat his heart, almost like Ryuko would. She had vaguely brought it up to the others as their own theories bounced off one another but nothing ever stuck.
His training was amazing, he had a deeper understanding of his quirk to the point he was able to achieve minor flight even with his quirk. Even if it only allowed him to boost around along the ground, the capabilities of this development were endless as Ryuko had put it. Her fascination with his quirk and Izuku's ability to absorb everything allowed them to work extensively together as he now picked up her passion with great gusto.
Tomoko and him were as close as ever and the pair were always training and figuring out different ways his quirk affected his body by way of her quirk. Her ability to see him and others allowed her to do everything he needed to figure out where his quirk activated and how to control it.
Yawara was ecstatic when Ryuko gave the go ahead for his weight training and the rest was history. Having started small, for his age he was well off and ahead of many of his peers that much was true. He was built but not overtly massive. Rather slender and lean, chiselled in such a way that his muscles were visible through his clothing, but did not 'hulk out' at every opening of his garments.
Shino and Izuku still kept what they did in private, but she never made that same reckless mistake ever again. One that the group and Izuku agreed to never tell his mother if they could help it. Even if it was a terrible idea that would soon explode in their faces when that time came. As for the private meeting that Izuku had with his father and Shino present, no one was privy to that information to this day.
Rumi had all but moved in with Izuku and Ryuko about a year ago and her stay had and has been very welcomed by both parties. More so Ryuko oddly enough, a feeling that Izuku was not blind to as he noticed the two women closer than usual when they thought he was not looking. Odd.
Momo and Toru were training just as hard as him, albeit them not having enough time within the last month to see one another due to the coming exam and their training. The trio was as close as ever still and frequently talked over the phone or even FaceTime as Toru had introduced to the other two.
Izuku's life as he knew was perfect. He had a loving family, loving best friends that frequently grew stronger together, and?
"MOM YOU'RE BACK!" Izuku cried as he rushed the slender woman a few feet in front of him.
Her ears perked up at his voice and she turned to him with a toothy smile and arms wide open.
"Iz-!" Before she could even finish, Izuku tackled her into a deep embrace that she only had mere seconds to react to.
Her legs bulked, scales and claws gripping the floor in order to stop him from completely barreling her over. Tomoko could only grown slightly as the woman's claws scratched her just installed new wooden flooring as the mother and son embraced.
Everyone looked on with their own mixed smiles and laughs as Ryuko held on for dear life as Izuku squeezed her slender form with great strength even he was not aware of.
Ryuko sighed lovingly as she felt her chest grumble and purr. Her instincts were at ease over her son's loving embrace.
"You've been gone for sooooo long!" He whined into her hair.
Ryuko giggled cutely as her face was buried in his chest.
"It's only been five days Izuku.." She chuckled now. "My, have you gotten taller in those days?" She wondered.
Izuku chuckled now. "No you're just still really short."
Ryuko's eyes flared slightly, a challenging sparkle in them as she felt her body growing.
"Don't even think about it!" Tomoko suddenly cried. "No transforming in the house! I just freaking remodelled it!"
This garnered loud laughter from everyone as Ryuko blushed hotly as she looked to the new ceiling above.
"I-I wasn't going to!" She whined as Izuku's embrace slowly left her.
She was quick to pull him back in.
"I'm not done." She growled. "These last few days deprived me of my loving son. I need a recharge." She mumbled.
It was Izuku's turn to raise a brow. "ItS oNlY bEeN fIvE dAyS." He mimicked like a four year old would.
This earned him a sharp pull on his horns now, the mess it once was now only a pair of dual horns that were merely half a foot tall now.
"Good to see Momo has been able to keep these so short now." She teased.
This got her the reaction she wanted as Izuku flared up instantly as she transformed into her smaller dragon form, allowing for his heat to not really affect her.
"M-MOM!" He whined cutely.
Ryuko only sighed blissfully as her chest purred loudly within her as she pulled him into one last deep hug and separated.
"All charged." She cutely hummed as she looked to Rumi and Yawara with a smile.
"How have you two been?" She wondered as her eyes lingered on Rumi for a second longer than normal.
This was noticed by everyone but no one said a thing.
"Good! This man here is able to bench a ripe 300"." He proudly stated.
Rumi nodded with a smile of her own. "He's doing amazing Ryu, he's ready for this weekend no question about it."
Ryuko grumbled pleasantly as she gave her chest a little pat to calm her instincts. They were ecstatic at this information.
Before anyone could ask for anything further Izuku quickly had stars in his eyes as he questioned his mother on her assignment she had been working on for the last two years.
"Did you get them?!" He quickly asked. "The Ratka Syndicate, are they done?!"
This raised everyone's brow as Ryuko could only smile largely, her sharp teeth glistening slightly.
She was still in her hero uniform, and it looked a tiny bit battered up but Ryuko nodded and stood proudly her arms to her side.
"The Ratka Syndicate is no more!" She exclaimed. "We conducted our operation to its full extent and they have been toppled. Not a single one was let go, all were caught and are now arrested."
Everyone gave the hero a cheer as the much older ones came and congratulated the heroine on a job well done as Izuku looked up at his mother with stars in his eyes.
Family.
He for a second welcomed this feeling in him as he in turn gave his own chest a pat of his own, namely his heart as Ryuko instantly took notice of this. She never tore her gaze away from him during all the congratulations as she felt immense pride in the way he looked at her. Like a true and real hero.
His eyes slightly stung as she her golden irises met his green ones.
Uh oh
Ryuko did not say anything about it as the others started to ask her more technical questions about the operation but she gave Izuku a cute look with her eyes squinted. A look that said, we will talk later.
He gulped. He did not know why he was fearful or even cautious. It's not like she would be upset at him, this was just something he wanted to really figure out on his own.
The flight home was a serene one as Ryuko held Rumi and Izuku on her back. The duo simply stayed seated and enjoyed the views as their house neared over the bustling city alone a few miles away from where they lived.
Rumi was leaning her shoulder on Izuku's as she slept soundly. A large part of him found it adorable as well as embarrassing as she snored rather cutely.
There was a flash of white light as Izuku managed to snag a selfie of the two of them as she slept and the mischievous side of him needed to save it as future ammo. She already had a ton of him, it made sense for him to expand his own catalogue.
Eventually they all landed which awoke Rumi with a start, though she did not lift her head as she looked around.
"Damn that was quick." Was all she could yawn as Ryuko's form shrank and the other two jumped off and landed on the grass below
With their own sets of yawns and grumbles the trio entered the house as everyone stretched whilst they were inside. Rumi was the first to instantly make her way towards one of the three showers her ears flopping gently behind her.
"Gonna shower yall! Then hit the hay, I have early patrols tomorrow." She said with a final wave and smile.
Ryuko and Izuku could only offer a chuckle and their own good nights to the rabbit hero as she seemingly disappeared into her 'room'. Rather the one she took over that they accepted as her way of being a permanent guest.
With just mother and son alone, Izuku was reminded of what Ryuko had 'said' to him with her eyes earlier on.
"W-Well goodnight mom I need to rest. I've been training all day okay I love you goodnight!" He quickly conjured as he hurriedly made his way to his door.
He nearly screamed when he felt her small hand grip him on his shoulder and stop him in his tracts.
"You know there is not a single thing in this world you can not talk to me about. You know that right?"
Izuku felt his shoulders relax as his mothers touch brought him comfort.
"O-Of course mom I know that…" He sighed, now facing her.
She was giving him the most proud and loving filled smile as she looked at him gently.
"I'm proud of you son. Very proud of the man you have become and are still becoming. I'm grateful for you everyday and look forward to this coming exam for you. I know you're going to kill it. They are not ready for you." She finished.
Izuku could only smile and embrace his mother deeply as he felt her chest grumble and purr loudly. It always l was such a weird thing to experience but he just knew that was her instinct's way of saying they loved him and that they were also happy.
Mom. Love. Family.
Ryuko felt her eyes widen slightly as Izuku tensed in their embrace. Before he could freak out or even try and say anything she gently rubbed his head, wary of his horns as she cooed gently to him.
"Whenever you're ready to talk about anything.." She said somewhat alluding to what she felt.
Or so he assumed she felt.
"Just know I'm a very understanding mother and who loves her son immensely. Any questions you know I'll have the answer to if need be." She smiled sincerely at him as he looked into her eyes with his own questions he had no courage to ask of now.
"You promise?" He simply put.
Ryuko nodded a caring look in her eyes. "You're my son, I will always love you and support you where I can."
Izuku sighed but gave her a smile.
"Thanks mom…"
"Of course!" She suddenly chimed before pointing to his head.
Izuku could only chuckle as he lowered his head to her as she quickly gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"I remember when you were so small I wouldn't have to reach for it." She chuckled.
With that the two embraced one last time as a son and mother would and bid each other goodnight as Izuku walked into his room and closed the door.
Home. Protect. This is my hoard.
Izuku rubbed his horns slightly as his eyes stung. All these feelings were unknown to him and the 'voice' only grew longer in what it had to say with this instance being the first time he heard a sentence rather than a word.
He smiled. His quirk ignited in his hand as he looked to it in wonder. To think just years ago this quirk brought nothing but fear for him, but as of now he felt proud of it. He made it into his own and with the help of those close to him, those he holds deep in his heart he knew this was where his story began.
"Protect…" He said as his quirk dulled into nothing.
My hoard.
He rubbed his heart truly. For that's where the voice was coming from, and he recognized it as such now.
U.A
This concludes the entire first part of this story, the beginning. Now I'm hoping to continue in a way that follows the manga but also with different outcomes and changes as well
As always have an amazing fay, evening, and night.
