"Nng!"

"Hitoshi, you need to tell me what's wrong. I don't understand what has you upset." Kagome lifted the child into her lap, her eyes moving around the room to see what could have upset the boy. A few weeks passed; Shouta had installed a camera to monitor Hitoshi's sleeping, then the two took the boy to a Pediatric Sleep Specialist with a Sleep Inducive Quirk. That was going well, really well. Knowing that, he woke up every night after a three-hour nap and wouldn't go back to sleep on his own until three in the morning. Or, he would leave his room and sleep in Tenko's room. Which Kagome was fine with since it meant he was sleeping. Tenko had no problem with it either. The problem herein lies with Hitoshi's sudden panic. Holding him as he cried and rubbing his back, she couldn't see what it was that had set him off. It was only Kagome, Tenko, and Hitoshi right now, and Tenko was asleep next door. Hitoshi wasn't loud when sounding an alarm to his fears, so the only reason Kagome had heard him at all was because of the camera. "Baby, shh~ sh, sh, it's okay. Nothing is going to hurt you."

"Mngh~"

She closed her eyes and whispered, "talk to me, Little Bit. I can help better if you talk to me. Nothing bad will happen, I promise." Never in her life had she wanted to give somebody she didn't even know a physical beatdown in her life. However, the fact that Hitoshi wouldn't speak and was too afraid to speak made Kagome consider getting a bit more acquainted with the absent pair.

"Monster,"

Kagome's eyes snapped open, and she thought she'd just imagined Hitoshi speaking for a moment. As if she could come up with a voice she'd never heard, but was it possible?! Did he really just speak?! "M-monster? Did you see one, Hitoshi?" He moved his head in her chest, and Kagome pulled away a bit to better look at the messy-haired boy. "Where did you see the Monster?"

He pointed to the pile of plushy toys in the corner of his room. Kagome eyed it critically and moved her head too, and from feeling a bit scared herself, she could have laughed at herself. 'Come on, Kagome, what the hell are you scared of? Stuffed Endeavor?' She untangled herself from her son and placed her bare feet on the floor before shuffling across the plush carpet. "Over here?" She looked back as she pointed at the pile to ensure she was in the right area. When Hitoshi lifted his Mic plushie in front of him and nodded from behind the toy, Kagome looked back to the pile. Getting on her knees, she began lifting every plush toy in the pile until she saw something move. It's amazing what instinct can make you do. Over a hundred years and the small furry thing mixed in with her son's toy still had her screaming and running to join her son on his bed.

Hitoshi screamed with Kagome for as long as it took to wake Tenko and have the boy throw the door open. His eyes looked at the two, wide awake, then moved to the floor where he watched something skirt across the floor and under the bed. A small smile formed on his lips as he looked up at Kagome, who was flushed and holding Hitoshi like a stuffed bear. "It's a mouse."

"It's a rat!"

"Monster!"

Tenko's eyes widened, and he looked away from Kagome to Hitoshi, who was still crying in her arms. "Did he-? Hitoshi, you spoke!"

"Tenko, get the rat!"

"Monster!"

Throwing his hands in the air, he looked considerately at his gloves before shaking his head and peering under the bed. "I can't believe you're having me do this. Do either of you know what time it is?"

Kagome could hardly believe her ears. Tenko was scolding her! HER!

"I see it. I'm gonna go get something to catch it with." Standing, he looked at the two on the bed and shook his head, "I'm gonna be telling Shouta and Hizashi all about this when they get home."

She wasn't looking forward to that. Snuggling into Hitoshi, Kagome barricaded the blankets and pillows around them.

Shouta arrived home to see nearly all the lights in the house on. Based on the black sedan in the driveway, he could tell Hizashi was home. He just didn't understand why everyone was awake. His phone told him it was nearly four-thirty. Kagome he understood, hell...even Zashi sometimes was up when he got off work, but the whole house? Slipping into his bedroom window, he pulled his goggles from around his neck and tossed them and his scarf onto his bed. He was tired but too damn curious to go to bed.

"Should I just call out to everyone?" He opened his door, and his tired eyes grew two sizes as Hizashi ran past him with an empty container. He dropped his eyes to the littlest of his makeshift family, watching him run after Hizashi with his Mic plush in hand. Tenko moved after Hitoshi and lifted him into his arms before he could get closer, Kagome suddenly yelling from the direction the three just headed in. "..." walking after them, he found Kagome in the kitchen, specifically climbing a counter and moving further and further into a corner as she could get. "What are you guys doing?"

"There's a mouse," Hizashi growled.

"Rat!" Kagome yelled.

"It's a mouse," Tenko argued.

"Monster!"

Moving over to Tenko, Shouta took Hitoshi from him and completely ignored the scene in the kitchen. "Hitoshi, you're talking!"

Hitoshi nodded, curling into Shouta's arms as the pro hero ruined his back and smiled. "So much excitement over a rodent."

"GOT IT!"

"How long have you three been at this?"

"Three?" Tenko laughed, "it's only been Hizashi and myself trying to catch this little guy."

Kagome was fuming but refused to say anything from where she was safely hiding from the rat.

"I came home to Tenko chasing the little guy with a bowl. The mouse was chasing Kagome, who was damn near ready to jump out a window."

Hitoshi lifted his head and pointed at the mouse. "A monster,"

Stepping over to Hizashi, who turned to see the frightened field mouse shaking in the container, Shouta laughed, "no, it's not a monster, Hitoshi. Just a scared mouse. Hizashi is going to let it go outside. Do you wanna go watch?"

"..." he nodded.

Shouta placed him down, and Tenko took him by the hand and followed Hizashi outside. Shouta stated at the still hiding Kagome and cracked a grin. "Scared of rodents?"

"Be grateful it wasn't a spider,"

"What would you have done if it were a spider?"

"The only logical thing one can do. Set fire to the house..."

He gave a nod, "Logical. I think the high altitude is doing things to your head. Come on. I'll carry you to bed if you get down now." That's what she wanted, as she crawled into his reach but refused to climb down. "It was a mouse,"

"It was a big mouse,"

Kagome laughed when she was thrown unceremoniously onto Shouta's bed. She bounced a bit and leaned forward to steady herself. "Aren't you too energetic after getting off work? You should be tired."

Locking his door, he moved back to his bed, "I'm always tired."

A single brow arched as she watched him pull his uniform top off, his muscles rippling with the movement before he crawled up and over Kagome. Leaning down, Kagome met him halfway and melted into his kiss. Listening to the front door open and close. She knew things wouldn't go too far tonight, not with everyone wide awake. She let off a surprised squeak when his hands slipped behind her and pulled her up. Straddling his waist as he supported her on his knees, Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck and indulged herself in his kisses.

Her fingers tightened in his hair. She felt a tremor run along her spine at the low timbre, the pleased moan tickling her ears.

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK

"Coming!" Kagome detangled herself from Shouta's arms and laughed at his muttering. Moving to the door, she unlocked it and swung it open. Dropping to her knees as Hitoshi ran in, catching him in a hug as he flung himself into her. "Did you set the rat free?"

"It's a mouse!" Hitoshi laughed.

"A mouse?! You traitor, Hitoshi! What is this...I thought...I thought...you and I were team monsters. What happened?"

Hitoshi blushed and leaned in, whispering into her ear so no one could hear him, "Monsters aren't real."

"Who told you that?"

He pointed back behind him. Hizashi leaned against the wall while looking at the Mic plush he held.

"Ah, I see. Hizashi is your favorite hero?"

Hitoshi looked back at Hitoshi, who looked up at the mention of his name. "I like Mic," he looked back at Kagome, "I like Kagome most."

Hearing him say so much, Kagome thought she'd cry. "Hitoshi,"

"Yeah?"

Nuzzling her head in his shoulder, she tightened her arms around the child, "I love your voice. Hearing you talk, I'm so happy."

"Happy?"

"Yeah, so very happy!" Standing with him in her arms, she spun around and fell back on the bed with Hitoshi beside her. "So happy!" Curling up with him, Hitoshi rested his head on her arm as she looked into the boy's violet eyes. Running her fingers in his hair, Hitoshi's eyes slipped closed before she could think to move or put him to bed.

She made no effort to move, and Shouta had already moved to the hall to talk with Hizashi before returning to his room and closing the door behind him. When Kagome peeked at Shouta from beneath her wild hair, she almost cracked under the look of pure disappointment and irritation. "Go shower, wash the night off."

"Mmn," he did as told. Only returning to his bed when he was clean and fresh. Grabbing a spare blanket from the closet, he pulled it over Kagome and Hitoshi before climbing into his bed on the other side of him. Hitoshi lay peacefully sleeping between them and stayed asleep until late morning.

Three Years Later

Kagome checked to make sure Tenko had everything he needed. Catching a handful of fabric as Hitoshi moved to chase after Tenko. "Nope! Not you!"

"I wanna go! I wanna go too!"

Kagome rolled her eyes, "and you will." Dropping to her knees, she pressed her lips to Hitoshi's forehead as he tapped the toe of his shoe against the floor. "When you're older."

"I wish you could come with, Toshi, but you know you're still a bit too young." Tenko brought an arm down around his younger brother, "wish me luck on the exam?"

Kagome ran her fingers through Tenko's hair, pulling half of it up and out of his face to keep his hair from hanging in his eyes. "Water bottle is on the counter...you're gym clothes are in your bag. Sho!"

"I'm here. I'm here!" Leaning over and pressing a kiss to Kagome's cheek, he looked past her and grinned down at Tenko. "Excited?"

"...scared...and excited. Mostly excited."

Kagome pulled her hands back and forced herself to stop fretting, "give it your all, and remember to breathe. You've got this, Ten."

The two left, and Kagome sat on the step outside with Hitoshi next to her. "...he's got this."

"Don't be so worried, mom. Tenko is going to become one of the most amazing rescue heroes out there!"

Snuggling the eight-year-old into her arms, she placed her cheek on his head. It was a long three years and a rough three years, fighting with Insomnia and scattered schedules. Kagome finally wrangled her family. No yelling past Hitoshi and Tenko's occasional arguments concerning space or when they don't see eye-to-eye on a topic, but past that, there was never a fight. The biggest argument in their house had been between Hitoshi and Hizashi. It had also been the funniest and loudest. For most of the argument, Shouta had to keep his quirk active as Hizashi's voice kept rising to octaves dangerous to the children's ears. All this over the fact that Hitoshi didn't want his hair cut, and Hizashi was trying to give it a trim so that it wouldn't hang in his eyes. Always with the hair. Tenko won this fight with hair ties and argued that Sho and Hizashi both had stupidly long hair, so it shouldn't be a problem that he keeps his long. Hitoshi hadn't used that argument. He went for a frontal attack on their ears when Hizashi told him it would be a good idea to cut his hair because he kept getting paint in it. Nooooo...no, no, no, no.

Flashback

"NO!"

"What is the meaning of all this yelling?"

Hizashi twirled a pair of scissors around his fingers, "I'm not going to maim you kid, just TRIM YOUR HA~air!"

The room turned to see Shouta stepping out of his room with his hair floating dangerously around his shoulders. "Is there a good reason?" Referring to why he was being woken up.

Hitoshi ran up to Shouta and raised his arms. Being lifted almost immediately before brushing shaggy lavender hair from violet eyes. "What's Hizashi doing to you? Did he beat you?"

"Whaaat!?"

"N-no..." sniffling as he cried into Shouta's shoulder, Hitoshi squeezed his eyes shut. "Not beat."

"Did he pour lemon juice in your mouth?"

"That was one time."

"It was one too many."

"Not lemon."

Kagome smiled as she watched Shouta try to figure out what had caused the child to wake him with his screams. It could take a while, so she sat next to Tenko and watched the scene play out. Meanwhile, Tenko had pulled his hair out of Hizashi's line of sight. As if he was afraid the blonde would turn those scissors back on him. She couldn't recall there being so much drama the last time Hizashi had tried to cut someone's hair. He just came home every so often looking to be a hairstylist.

"So, he's not trying to kill or poison you, then in your own words, what's Hizashi trying to do?"

"He's going to hurt my hair."

Awe, Kagome looked at Hizashi, who threw his hands up in the air. "I'm the bad guy again."

"Only when you try and cut their hair. You know Hitoshi loves you." Kagome held her hand out, and Hizashi groaned before handing them over.

"So, if that's all done and taken care of," Shouta pointed to the room down the hall. "Go, you're being punished."

Kicking a stuffed Shouta out of his way, one that Kagome had worked very hard to make, Hizashi left to his bedroom and slammed the door shut. Shouta's eyes relaxed, and his hair fell around his shoulders before looking down at Hitoshi. "You too. He won't cut your hair, so go and calm down in your room. When you're feeling better, go and apologize to Hizashi."

"And you?"

"Nah, it's all good, kid. I'll be fast asleep." Setting Hitoshi down, he watched the boy trudge up the stairs with a small whimper under his breath before he vanished back into his room.

Kagome turned to Tenko, whose face was burning as he tried to fight back his laughter. Finally breaking, he clutched his stomach and wiped his tears away, laughing harder than she'd ever seen him laugh.

End Flashback

Kagome had been so overwhelmed and confused. Not understanding why this was such a big thing for the two, and yet, at the end of the night, Shouta had sent both of them to their rooms. Hizashi pouted, Hitoshi pouted, Tenko was bawling; he laughed so hard. It was such a long night...and it ended with Hitoshi dipping into Hizashi's hair cream and styling his hair on his own. Hitoshi said his inspiration was Shouta's hair when he used his quirk, but since his quirk didn't do things like magically lifting his hair from his face, he'd have to do it manually.

All the while, Kagome did her best to keep her own hair out of the argument.

"Hitoshi, what kind of hero do you want to be when you grow up?"

"...one like dad." Dad was Shouta. Dad was one of Kagome's favorite memories. When Hitoshi was seven, he'd begun talking much more. He was not afraid to use his quirk when he had so many people around ready to help him.

Flashback

Moving folders around in the office that Kagome shared with the only other two adults in the house. She flipped through a different one filled with her little one's medical records. Checking for when their next appointments would be, Kagome added the most recent check-up for Tenko to his folder before checking the dates on Hitoshi's.

In a large pile on the desk, there were paintings done by Hitoshi that Kagome had yet to hang up. She would, of course. She always did, usually, while Sho or Hizashi had Hitoshi for the day. Right now, Hitoshi was out in the living room with Shouta, who was making a syllabus for his new coursework at U.A. Hearing a high-pitched squeal coming from the living room, Kagome stood and made her way out to check on the two. Tenko was out with Hizashi today, needing to get a few books for his reading list. Kagome had offered to go, but she'd been shot down. Tenko wanted her to stay home and rest after always taking care of the errands.

"Is everything okay?"

"Of course!" Shouta yelled as she rounded the corner. She laughed as he balanced Hitoshi on his feet, the little one balancing with his arms held out like he was flying.

"Higher, Dad!"

There would be coddling for weeks to come from that one word. If Kagome saw Shouta shed a tear or two, she didn't say a word. Instead, she faded into the background as Shouta let the boy drop into his arms and hugged him close to his chest.

End Flashback

"An underground hero then. Maybe I, too, should be an underground hero?"

"Mom! Would you!?"

Well, no, she'd meant it only as a joke. Though, now that she thought about it. "Perhaps, one day, I will become a hero."

"You're already a hero. You saved Tenko, right?"

She still had some loose ends to deal with where Tenko was concerned, "perhaps."

"You saved me too!"

"You? You had Layla taking care of you then, didn't you love her?"

"I did," he nodded, "but I still love you most. You're my mom, and you're my hero. Mine and Tenko's...and maybe, maybe there's someone else out there who still needs to be saved. Someone you haven't met yet. Like...a kid like me?"

Laughing, Kagome nudged him in the side a bit, "a kid like you?"

"Yeah, maybe, you know?" Tapping his shoes together, Hitoshi gripped the end of his shirt and fisted it, "could be a boy or a girl...either way, they'll be younger than me!"

"Ah, I see. Are we talking about a younger sibling?"

"YEAH!"

She nodded, "I got a feeling that's what we were talking about. So you want a younger sibling... I have no response to that. Oh, wait, I do know what to say."

"...?"

Kagome pressed a kiss to his head, "ask your dad." Then, she stood and left Hitoshi staring back at her as she ran inside.

Tenko looked around at all of the faces. In a crowd of a thousand examinees, all of them were unknown strangers, which was scary. Placing the

"Excuse me,"

Pulling himself closer so the girl could slide by him. He fixed his chair and stared at the kid beside him. She looked nervous too. "Take a breath."

"Huh?" The girl turned and raised a brow, looking at Tenko uncertainly. When he looked back to the front of the room, the girl took a deep breath as her turquoise eyes slipped closed. It was quiet for a moment before she opened her eyes again, "thanks. Sorry about that."

"Heh, what's to be sorry about? This is just one huge multiplayer game, and we'll all be competing for our spots in a guild."

"...guild...multiplayer game? You talk like you're playing a game."

"Something like that. It's a bit more serious than a guild, but still, it's easier for me to process it all if I can find something to connect with."

"I see. So a game." She tapped a nail on the desk and looked back at Tenko, "Thank you. My name is Todoroki, Fuyumi."

"...Higurashi, Tenko." Tenko felt his cheeks burn, "but that may be subject to change if my mom's boyfriend ever gets around to proposing."

Fuyumi laughed at his joke, although Tenko had been totally serious. A loud clapping sounded, and everyone turned to the front.

"Welcome to the written portion of U.A's examination process. A few of you may recognize me as Ectoplasm. In a few minutes, my clones will distribute your test packets and pencils if needed. Place it face down until I tell you that you can begin. Once you start, you will have two hours to complete the exams. You will bring your test up front and return to your seat when you are done. Any questions?" The hero quickly looked around before nodding, "Very good."

Tenko watched the clones form, and they each grabbed stacks of tests before splitting up. Before even ten minutes passed, the hero had ensured everyone had a test and pencil.

"So what part of the written exam is synonymous with gaming?"

"The exam is a standardized quest every new hero must undergo. If you pass, you get an Achievement. If you fail, you either beat the system in the practical or try again at another school... go to an easier level since you can't take the exam again. I recommend passing the exam, though."

"Right."

He had no doubt she was fine. After all, she wasn't just an NPC with basic lines. She was another player. His mom had taught him how to identify other players that could become potential party members, and she was definitely another player.

"Pencils up, and... start!"

Kagome had gone an hour before taking Hitoshi to the park. A few kids were playing. One was sitting on the bench with a notebook in his hand. Studying? She couldn't be sure, but he was quite focused.

Hitoshi was playing with some explosive personality she didn't have a name for yet, but it looked like the blonde letting off small blasts and the quietly writing green-haired kid were part of the same group of friends.

"Hey, kiddo," here she was, just doing the usual. Getting involved with people she knew nothing about because that's what she did. The green-haired boy looked at her, fumbling with his book and pencil as he stumbled onto his feet. He stuttered out a yes and glanced nervously across the playground towards the blonde, who wasn't paying them any attention. "No need to be so nervous, kid. What's your name?"

"Mn...I-Izuku."

"It's very nice to meet you, Izuku." She looked pointedly at the book, "What's that your writing? It looks interesting." What was interesting was how the book quickly disappeared from her view. He completely hid it from her at the mere mention of it. Kagome laughed, "don't wanna show me, huh? That's alright, can you talk some worth me? I'm trying to distract myself while waiting for my oldest."

Izuku stepped a few steps closer, "distract yourself from what?"

"My son is taking the U.A. exam today. He's trying for the Hero Course, so I'm waiting for the exam to conclude. It's hard to wait."

"You're son is trying to pass the U.A exam?!" His eyes sparkled, "That's so cool! I-I wish I could go to U.A."

"What? Why can't you?"

"Because he's a Deku! He also shouldn't be talking to strange Old Hags!" A head of blonde hair and angry red eyes suddenly blocked her from Izuku.

"Don't call my mom an Old Hag, Katsuki!"

Ah... so she guessed Hitoshi did know the blonde? Maybe? "He's not wrong, love. Compared to you kids, I must be ancient." She ruffled his hair and smiled at the way Hitoshi shook his head as if he didn't believe her for a second. It would probably be more convincing if her body properly aged.

"N-no way! You look pretty young. Kaachan is just being mean!"

"Shut up, Deku!"

"Kaachan? Oh my goodness, that's such a cute nickname!" She gushed as the blonde blushed and stepped away, moving closer to Izuku. "So why Deku? It's a cute nickname, but with a rather poor meaning."

"It's not just his nickname. It's what he is. A useless, quirkless Deku."

Hitoshi moved into his mother's arms and let her hand slowly settle on his head. Streaking at the sad emerald green eyes of the sweet boy in front of her, she tilted her head curiously. "Is that why you think you can't go to U.A?"

"Are you stupid? Quirkless nobodies like Deku can't be heroes. U.A would never allow a Quirkless student within its walls!"

Izuku fidgeted a bit, "U.A. has a Quirk only rule."

"A bet then?"

The blonde raised a brow. "Why would I make a bet with some ugly old hag?"

"Because it's interesting? Anyways, I'll bet you whatever you want... that in the next few years... the rule for no Quirkless students... will be dropped."

"There's no way to be sure you'll follow through!" Katsuki smirked, "but sure, whatever. I'll even give you until I go to U.A because any time after won't matter."

"You're about my sons' age. Eight, right?"

"I turn nine in a little over a month!"

"Well, that means you three will each be working towards U.A... and I'm going to root for all of you. There are never too many heroes, and there's always someone who could use your help, whether you know it yet or not."

"Moms a hero, and Dad's a hero too!"

Katsuki and Izuku looked up at her curiously, but she just smiled. Turning her eyes to Izuku, she held her hand out and watched him move closer to her before taking her hand carefully. "Do you want to be a hero?"

"I-I do. I want to be a hero with Kaachan... more than anything in the world!"

What a beautiful fire, Kagome thought. "If you want to be a hero, the be a hero, Izuku. There's no one holding you back, and the only one who can stop you is you." She stood, "Hitoshi, we'll come back again, so how about we call it a day. Tenko should be getting home soon."

"Kay, bye Katsuki, bye Izuku!"

The blonde raised a hand, and Izuku yelled goodbye back as Hitoshi and Kagome started for home. Kagome would need to speak with Shouta about the school's rules for better understanding, but she was sure Nezu would also want to break such a disgusting rule.

"Hitoshi, did you know them?"

"I see them a lot when Uncle Zashi brings me here."

She nodded, "and type friends with them?"

"Mmhm, though Katsuki says I'm just another extra in his origin story. Izuku is nice, though."

She wasn't sure what her feelings toward Katsuki were, but the boy seemed to have a backward way of thinking. She was aware of the chasm between the Quirked and Quirkless, but calling someone Deku seemed a bit harsh. 'Or maybe that's just me?'

Shouta watched as Tenko ran across the mock city, his hands running along the legs of two robots, turning them to dust before they could grab at another examinee. A girl with white hair and red streaks. He wasn't sure who she was, but she was skating on ice and freezing gears as she did. Robots collapsed left and right as they made their way through the center of the street. The screen changed, and he watched the practical exam continue. He bet the view from Hizashi's tower was fantastic, much better than the monitoring room where the rest of them were stuck.

"You looking forward to class this year, Aizawa?"

"More than I was last year."

"Tenko's going to be great. He's already on the right track, thanks to you." Midnight smiled back at him.

"That's not thanks to me. That's thanks to Kagome, and yeah... he's going to be great."

Dinner was almost ready. The news was in the background; many late-night fights had been calling to the news attention. Sitting on the couch, she listened to the narrative told by Daikaku Miyagi. From the way he was talking, it sounded like a new vigilante. Hitoshi was completely invested in the news. Scorch marks were left behind in alleys, where what appeared to be the tell-tale signs of a strong fire quirk. '...curious.' She ran her fingers through Hitoshi's hair, helping it spike more as she did.

The front door opened, and the two turned to see Shouta walking in with Hizashi and Tenko behind him.

"You're back!" Up and running to Tenko, Hitoshi barely gave them a chance to get inside before throwing his arms around his older brother. "Did you pass? You did, right?"

Tenko scratched his head awkwardly, "I won't know until my acceptance letter comes. These two won't give me a conclusive answer." He didn't even hesitate to throw Shouta and Hizashi under the bus.

"Hey, I would totally tell you, but, you know... it's one of those inner-circle-type deals. If you were a teacher, I could tell you, ya dig?" Shooting a pair of finger guns at Tenko, who scoffed, "I just can't win, can I?" Pouring himself a cup of tea, he looked across the living room, "what's got you so distracted?"

"Have you guys seen the news?"

Shouta practically threw himself on the couch, his head on Kagome's lap. Not that she seemed to notice. Too entranced with what the news anchor was saying.

"-I'm hearing is that no one has actually seen this so-called fire-tripper yet. "

"That's affirmative. As of now, we have no information on the vigilante. We only have a vague idea of their quirk. Bare basics of information and the fact that he's helped police with several prolific villains that have been evading arrest for the past three months. It's quite the feat, considering not ever our current heroes have been able to capture this particular list of villains. We have it on good authority that the villains made up half of Japan's current threat matrix and to catch them so efficiently. Really, what are our heroes and law enforcement doing?"

"Impressive," Kagome played with Shouta's hair, braiding it idly as Hitoshi stole the control from beside her. "What are you putting on?"

"...Minions?"

She nodded, "how about dinner first, and then you can watch it."

"Mom made Sukiyaki!"

"I helped!" Hitoshi raised his hand. "We went and bought the veggies after playing at the park."

Hizashi sniffed the simmering aroma that drifted freely from the pot. "Smell's good. Oh," Pulling from his jacket an envelope, Hizashi held it out, "this is for you."

"Me?" Tenko grabbed it for Kagome, bringing it over to her as Shouta wasn't planning on getting up anytime soon. Even as Hizashi started prepping bowls, he still stayed where he was on the couch. She tore the envelope open and pulled a folded letter free, "this is a Job Application. Why?"

"You promised Nezu back when we helped you and Ten out of that situation, and he said something about collecting on a debt. You really should have considered who you asked for help."

"Awe, but you were so cute back then. How could I have gone to anyone else?" Bending down to press a kiss on his lips.

"Back then?" Shouta frowned, "I'm still cute."

"Of course you are, but now you're more...sexy, rather than just being cute." Waving the paper around, she looked at him, "I guess I'm going with you to U.A. tomorrow?"

"MOM, DO YOU REMEMBER!?"

"...remember what?" There's been a lot going on today; which thing was she remembering?

"You told me to ask dad about-"

"OH!" Kagome stood up suddenly, knocking Shouta off her lap as she held her hands up, stopping Hitoshi before he could finish. "Yes, yes! I do remember, and if I remember correctly, I said you need to talk to dad, not me. So let's wait til mom isn't here."

"But you're always here." He looked between Kagome and Shouta. The latter seemed curious, if not offended, at losing his spot on Kagome's lap.

"Can you at least wait until tonight? When he's getting ready for work?"

Hitoshi nodded. "I can wait!"

'Thank god. I won't have to deal with too much embarrassment when he asks, at least.' She helped Hizashi in the kitchen, blatantly ignoring the looks everyone was now giving her. Especially the interested one that Shouta was giving her. It's not like she'd never considered having kids with him. She had, a few times. However, raising Hitoshi and Tenko, then with Takeshi still out there, was it the right time? Would there ever be a right time? Not that she was complaining. She loved her kids. They were her babies after all that had happened thus far. She never told them to call her mom. That was their choice, and it happened when they were ready. How could she not love them? Precious, sweet, honest, and hard-working boys. A lot of that discipline came from Shouta, though. She wasn't blind to all that he did. Even Hizashi had inspired them.

The hours came and went, and Kagome stood in Shou's room watching him dress. Smiling when he pulled her in for a kiss before he took his capture weapon from inside his closet and pulled it over his head. Kagome ran her fingers along the weapon, giving a slight tug as he leaned in for one more kiss. It was so soft, softer than those passionate, ravenous kisses he'd give her when they were alone to enjoy one another. It was a sweet goodbye and goodnight; Kagome loved it.

"Will you be up when I get back?"

"Probably not, but I'll be in your room if you aren't too opposed to it."

"Have I ever told you 'no'?"

She shook her head, watching him leave the bedroom to head upstairs to see what Hitoshi had been waiting all night to tell him. Kagome didn't follow, she didn't know what he would say, but she didn't think she was ready to hear his answer either. Knowing he'd say something the next time they spoke, Kagome turned the lights off and moved to his bed. Curling up into his blankets and inhaling the strong aroma of coffee, black walnut, and cedar. It was her favorite smell, and she could easily fall asleep surrounded by it. The fan above sent a gentle cool across her shoulders. Kagome was out almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Why wouldn't she be? Tomorrow was going to be such a long day, so turning in early made sense.

"Three years. I think I've been a kind and fair master for three long years, giving the two of them space. What do you think, Kurogiri?"

"... Master, I agree. You've been all too kind."

Takeshi stood and looked around at the doctor's lab and the many tanks filled with Nomu's. Stepping up to one particular tank where a young woman was floating in a tank, soon to be his next Nomu. Feeling the flicker of One for All from here, he gave a large grin. "It's almost time. All Might, your flame is dying. Soon you'll need to find a successor for One for All, and when you do...I'll be there to crush them. The same way I broke you."

Kurogiri watched his Master laugh loudly, watching the doctor insert a green liquid into one of the test subjects before he turned back to the computer. Kurogiri had thought of running away. He'd wanted to, even. He just...didn't know where to go. Unlike Tenko, he didn't have a hero to pull him out of the darkness. It didn't help that he, like these pitiful creatures in the tanks before him, was just another slave to All for One. He wouldn't have made it far. He wouldn't have made it at all. He could recall very few memories from the couple of times he actually fell asleep. Hearing a name, hearing someone yelling it repeatedly, desperately. Oboro...who that was, he couldn't be sure, but he could hear someone screaming it in his head. Whoever it was screaming sounded pitiful.

"How is the recruitment of that new vigilante coming?"

"I've located in which city he's settled himself; I will see if I can narrow his location down, Master."

"Sure, sure, take your time. I'm not in any particular hurry. Once I retrieve Tomura and Kagome, I will have my cards back in my hand. You are dismissed, Kurogiri."

Bowing low, Kurogiri began swirling into a dark mist out of sight. "Yes, Master."

Notes:

Me: Here is chapter seven. I hope everyone is enjoying the chapter thus far. I would love to hear your thoughts about the story and the speed at which it's progressing. Let me know!