Chapter 18: Night Shadows
"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction both are transformed." -Carl Gustav Jung
All Might
'They didn't do a very good job of hiding the body, if they were even trying to hide it.' Toshinori observes.
But at least they've now found the missing student, or at least one of the cleaning robots along with an after-hours custodian did. Too shell-shocked and white as he dialed the emergency line, the only thing the man was able to mutter out is to confirm that the deceased does indeed match the description of the student who never reported in to class after the first morning bell.
The room smells heavily of potent chemical cleaners and blood, the scents beginning to thrum to life the beginnings of a pounding headache.
And with that headache there is a coiling to his chest picturing the hope that he will know crack and shatter of this boy's parents...
He swallows down a wave of nausea, the clicking of the cameras of the investigators filling the silence. Outside the sky is an amber-violet mix, nightfall slowly washing in about to make this scene feel all the more ominous and foreboding.
"Estimated time of death is between 8:00-10:00 am. As you've already found out it was the janitor Nagisa who properly found the body crumpled into one of ceiling tiles at noting a foul odor coming from the last stalls." Crime Officer Tachikawa reports in from his side.
Toshinori nods, moving to follow him back out of the bathroom. Instantly, the churning of his stomach lessens just a bit being back in the hallways away from the grisly scene.
"We'll do a run through the cameras, find out and interview the last people who saw him alive and go from there. Officer Hirano of the homicide division along with a grief counselor can reach out to the family once we get a full report from the coroner on the exact cause of death." Tachikawa further relays to him.
They don't need to say it, but this reeks of the League of Villain's actions.
If after they speak to the family, they will be lucky if it doesn't reach the ears of the media or the torrents of social media by tonight. The more unscrupulous websites and gossip shows are waiting for another scandal to hit U.A., to tarnish it's reputation in comparison with other Hero schools.
His phone buzzes from his pocket, most likely Principal Nezu wanting an update on what he's obtained.
"Let me know as soon as you hear anything else." Toshinori states before stepping further away to take the call.
"I haven't been able to brew anything...no, I haven't been able to even think properly until I heard back from you Yagi. There isn't any calming tea in the world that would help in this type of situation though so tell me, just how bad is it?" Nezu asks point blank, tone dull and flat the utter opposite of his usual jovial demeanor.
"Horrific. Even though we put on hold doing anymore rescue and drill missions in U.S.J., conducting in any capture assessments out on the fields, and doing any patrols none of it mattered in the end with one of the League's associates slipping in. Most likely one of the same people who caused the blackout a few weeks ago to gather information on our most prominent students. This wasn't for the express purpose of kidnapping a student though at least according to Tachikawa based on what he's gathered so far." Toshinori begins.
He can hear the puzzlement slip into Nezu's voice, imploring him to go on.
"Based on Tachikawa's hypothesis and initial review of the scene, the perpetrator came in again looking for someone or somebody." He relates.
'Just who exactly though will require a thorough search of the cameras.' Toshinori knows.
Nezu is silent again for a long minute, his mind whirring over the next steps they need to take. The in-campus dorms are not set to be completed until the end of the month, U.A. is continuing to get bad press in the news, and most of all there will be a rise in students will feeling unsafe once more. Parents are going to pull their sons and daughters from this school and Toshinori can't blame them...
They are failing them once more at keeping their learning environment as harm-free as possible unless it's for an assignment.
"I'm going to call an emergency meeting with all the faculty in 1 hour. Let me know if any other urgent facts come up in the interim." Nezu finally says before his line goes dead.
A second later his phone buzzes again, Sorahiko this time.
"Tell me you have some good news to share first." Toshinori blurts out before he can say word, gritting his teeth.
He gets a dry laugh in return though and he can picture his amused grin that Heroes should be used to getting bad news no matter how grim. It comes with the nature/territory of the job, of the responsibilities and burdens they face protecting civilians and loved ones alike.
"Well, I have your successor over here with me better improving One For All with Infliction by focusing on the body part he commands to strengthen before attacking. Actually brought one of his friends along too, they both wanted me to relay a message over to you. Are you still at the school?" He asks.
Toshinori nods rapidly before realizing he can't see him. "Ah yes, I'm sure all the students including Young Midoriya have heard the gossip regarding the Second Year-"
"Yes, Yes, that's actually why I'm calling you. They believe they know who the killer is and wanted to report it to you immediately." Sorahiko cuts him off impatiently.
-X-
Katsuki
'What's that nerd hiding from the public this time?' Katsuki scowls.
He picks up only on bits and pieces of his conversation with Round Face, either it is something completely stupid that won't matter to him or it is something that involves the League of Villains.
Nails dig along the ashen sides of his desk, if it is the latter then he's going to need to force answers out of him. Again.
"Here, give this Thank You card to your Mom! I'm glad you both were able to come to lunch with my parents the other day. I...I actually think Pa is warming up a bit to you now, which trust me isn't an easy feat to accomplish!" Ochako mentions, pushing decorated envelope into his hands.
Izuku laughs nervously in return accepting the card, pink flushing across his face at her closeness from leaning over his desk. "Oh, it was no problem really! I mean, I wouldn't want your parents to keep having negative assumptions over me and our friendship."
"I promise I'll return the favor to you! With katsudon or a snack, whatever you want just name it!" Ochako beams.
'Okay, so it's something stupid after all.' Katsuki snorts.
Kirishima pokes at him from his side and he twists his gaze away from the pair only to see the redhead looking at them as well.
"Hey, you don't think they're a couple now, are they? Seems like they've been a lot more secretive and quieter lately around each other." He questions.
"I really don't give a damn one way or the other." Katsuki responds flatly in return.
Gossip regarding Deku's apparent love life is the last thing he gives a shit about.
But apparently it is the complete opposite for their fellow classmates, there is a slew of whispers slowly rising that soon is giving way to rumors of how long they've been possibly dating to who confessed first.
Nobody seems to wonder first though about why they grow so uneasy when the subject of the League of Villains arises, of why they want to shift focus off how many times they've been in the news now, who has been watching them...
Well, he can get answers out of Deku. He's never been able to keep a secret around him for very long especially when it comes to matters and information regarding any criminal, if there's something he knows eventually he'll let it slip.
'Lunch time is perhaps the only time he could be alone, that or during study hour.' Katsuki decides.
The back of the cafeteria or out by one of the tracks is where he's seen him with All Might before, right near where there is a twisted path of vines and overgrowth all shades of green that shadow you from most anybody unless you're truly being looked for.
Except he didn't take into account Round Face.
And unlike most of their peers, she doesn't bother to hide her frostiness towards him. Even before the Sports Festival when he couldn't be bothered to recall her name he's sure she didn't like him or pay him much attention.
"You're looking for Izuku?" She questions, looking up from her bento box. Katsuki arches a brow, she's alone for once not with any of their female peers or Iida for that matter.
"He isn't here, he went to check out something with Shinso from Class 1-C." Uraraka remarks at his silence.
Katsuki lets out a breath, impatience slithering up him. When was he going to be back? Was he even going to be back in time before lunch ended?
Though instead of asking any of this he remarks on something else. "Since when do you refer to him so familiarly? Don't you call him Deku too?"
Ochako blinks, as if realizing then what's she done as a hint of red burns at her cheeks. "I...I don't use it in same meaning that you do for Deku! Anyways, what does it matter to you where he is?"
"It's none of your concern." Katsuki scoffs.
But then again, Round Face would know whatever Deku is withholding from their classmates.
There's the unmistakable annoyance returning back in her voice, chestnut eyes narrowing at his response. "You think your Explosion quirk should just give you free reign to get anything you want be it answers or recognition, right? Nobody has ever questioned you or truly punished you for your actions until you came here and even then so much of the faculty still praises you, Izuku still sees you as his friend." She scowls.
"Look Round Face, I didn't come here to argue. I'm just looking for your boyfriend to find out what he's keeping secret about the League so he doesn't go any do anything stupid. For that matter, do you know anything?" He questions.
Ochako's face goes completely scarlet, shaking her head before her expression hardens once more. "Izuku doesn't have to tell you everything, maybe he's started to realize the imbalance of your friendship."
'This isn't going to get me anywhere. I rather as well just search for him on my own.' Katsuki frowns, twisting around while ignoring her remark.
Still he's wasted so much time here, irritation snapping as he fires off a blast at the brick wall.
He can feel her stare watching him, keenly aware she could make use of any nearby object and turn it into a projectile if need be as she's done before.
But his hands become frozen at his side, unable to let loose another burst of flames...
'Damn it, I know this sensation; this quirk.'
And sure enough he follows where Round Face's eyes have moved, the warm smile that breaks out across her face that she and the Nerd are terrible at hiding around each other.
Well, at least he didn't have to go looking very far for the idiot.
-X-
Ochako
"You have an interesting aura around you miss, you've seen much in your life in spite of your young age." A woman beckons to her from a booth.
This is a rare weekend where gets to be out and about enjoying the city with Gamma, not boggled down by fears of her parent's distrust of Musutafu and her goals, the pressure of homework, or even the looming fears of the League after she and Izuku told All Might everything they knew about Toga.
While they aren't 100% sure Toga is the cause of this all, blood is her specialty.
"Ooh, is that one of those fortune tellers? She's right you know, you should get a reading Ochi! I'd love to hear with what she has to say knowing all the things you've gotten into since you first got off that train from Mie all those weeks ago!" Gamma considers excitedly, pushing her forward.
No, they're supposed to be taking in the cool fall/winter air! The milky gray pink-orange of the morning sky, the chill of the wind at the cheeks, the layer of gold and vermilion leaves scattered against the pavement...
"Come on, I especially want to hear what she may say about that boyfriend of yours." She urges, not taking no for an answer.
"I told you Izuku..err Deku and I aren't dating!" Ochako hisses, about to attempt and turn them instead to a nearby café about to open their doors or to the opening market stalls. Really, anything else that could catch Gamma's attention off of the strange lady.
But her focus remains steadfastly on the lady and she knows from the way her cerulean eyes glisten she isn't going to get out of this. "Not yet you aren't! I'll pay Ochi, let's have a bit off fun; we don't get to enjoy things like this back in Mie!"
Ochako feels her shoulder's sag before reluctantly nodding, letting Gamma whisk her towards the direction of the stall. Didn't Gamma know this could be a scam? People like this rarely if ever used their quirk for good intentions if this even was an actual reputable business...
The woman fixes them both with small grins as they get closer, gesturing for them to take a seat on wooden chairs in front of her.
"I go by Madam Chiba, my quirk allows me to share with a person a glimpse of their future when I touch their palm." She explains, seagrass green eyes appearing to glow in the rising sunlight.
'They remind me of Izuku.' Ochako buries down the thought quickly, pushing her gaze to the pavement to avoid her gaze.
"How far exactly can you see into the future? And just what do you see?" Gamma questions beside her, nudging her to pay attention.
Madam Chiba waves offhandedly, shaking her head. "Every person varies, though I can tell you this the longer I hold a person's palm the more I can gather. However, I tend to not hold onto a hand for but a few seconds as I tend to get blurry vision and wooziness after each reading." She explains.
'Of course there's a catch.' Ochako sighs, still skeptical and not wanting to bother with this, but Gamma however is already reaching into her purse.
Ugh, she's actually serious about this?!
"This young lady beside me is who I consider my granddaughter in every shape and fashion despite no blood relation. She is looking to become a Hero and as of late that path for her has been mighty shaky and filled with danger. Can you look into how the rest of her schooling will go? Her future career? Her love life?"
"Gamma!" Ochako interrupts, but Madam Chiba only chuckles probably used to having older women use her services for a variety of reasons.
"I will do my best if you trust in me young lady. I can sense you have a lot running through your thoughts that make you both happy and worried all at once." Madam Chiba notes.
That's such a vague thing to say, anybody can be feeling joy or worries at the same time, but at Gamma's urging she sticks out her palm. She traces slowly at the wrinkles and creases of her hand, of the faint scars and calluses she's gained since her time at U.A.
"Alright Ochako Uraraka, I want you to take deep breath and count to 3 slowly in your head." Madam Chiba instructs.
A jolt rushes through her, she couldn't recall ever having given this woman her name.
'1...2...3.'
The park around them suddenly dissolves away into blackness, replaced with the walls of U.A. However this isn't Class 1-A, not from the way the desks are arranged to the way to the windows are positioned.
"Ochako, we're going to be late! Taking in the class for the last time, huh? I would do the same but I had to make sure my speech was in order." Izuku laughs, tapping her gently on the head. Was she sleeping? Her mind feels foggy as if she just woke up from a dream...
She accepts his hand though, allowing him to guide her out of the room. "Just so you know, Mom is going to get teary eyed and will want to take a lot of pictures of us afterwards! We can get Eri the ice cream from her favorite stand near the mall after lunch, oh and Dad may or may not need to slip away to take a conference call. Heh, I suppose your parents are going to want a bunch of photos too now that I think about it." He reasons aloud.
Ochako feels her head spin from the information overload, forcing them to stop in place. "Sorry, but what are we in a rush for again?"
And now that she is apparently more awake something is off about Izuku too, that he is abruptly older now, just a bit more taller and muscular than the last time she saw him.
Emerald bores into auburn, squeezing at her hand. "You really were fast asleep! You're the one who has been talking about our graduation plans for weeks now; don't forget!"
"Graduation?" Ochako repeats.
"What did you see Ochi?!" Gamma's voice yells in her ear and Ochako immediately startles, glancing around hurriedly.
She's back in the park, no she never left the park.
Madam Chiba lets go of her hand, beaming at her look. "You saw your Graduation day from U.A. High, correct? Or at least you saw the morning of it."
Ochako nods slowly, rattled. "I'm assuming you don't know about the people who were being referred to said vision; do you?"
Madam Chiba shrugs, jade eyes glittering mysteriously. There's only so much she is willing to reveal apparently or able to as she wipes a sheen of sweat away from her head.
"Some secrets about the future are best kept a surprise wouldn't you say?" She eventually hums.
Ochako merely scoffs, rocking out of the chair. "Or you mean for the right price, huh?"
"Don't be rude Ochi!" Gamma scolds her, but Madam Chiba merely laughs clearly taking no offense.
"That too my Dear, that too! Knowing what I saw even just briefly, I can see why you are frugal with your money. It was nice meeting you both." She grins, before nodding to the curious patrons behind her to step forward.
'Eri? And I don't think I've ever heard Izuku mention his Father.' Ochako wonders.
Maybe Gamma should've had the reading instead of her.
-X-
Elsewhere-Toga
"You were especially threading dangerous waters back there Toga." Jin lightly reprimands her. They study the evening news cycle together, fast forwarding through the same boring spiels of the weather, sports, and business reports until they finally reach the latest breaking news section.
"Tragedy has struck at U.A. once more! The Number 1 Hero high school in Japan has lately been in the limelight now for all the wrong reasons. Just weeks ago we were reporting to a you a blackout caused by the League of Villains and now have reason to believe they are the cause of death behind one of the Second Year students! At this time as the investigation is still ongoing, the school's Principal Nezu is asking for privacy on behalf of the deceased student's family and personnel. We will bring you continued updates as we get more information." The correspondent even looks teary just for the cameras.
"The cameras! I didn't even thing about them until now!" Jin abruptly mentions, smacking his head.
"Don't worry, there aren't any cameras in the bathrooms that I saw and nor would there be any in the ventilation system I used to get out. U.A. is high tech, but they aren't watching their students take a piss or crap." Himiko remarks, sighing at the memory.
That boy's blood wasn't even that sweet, sour just like his personality had been.
Jin arches a brow, unsure what her need was to even go back to U.A. in the first place. Shigaraki was moving on now, monitoring how to further advance his Decay quirk, having subordinates spy and check in on the upcoming training facilities any and all Hero schools are using, and mainly stop any rising villain factions from getting in the way of his goals of destroying every last Pro-Hero one by one.
Starting with All Might.
The up and coming students of U.A. were becoming a tiny blip in Tomura's mind, an annoyance yes, but no longer his top priority.
"What makes you so fascinated with those two students in particular...what were their names again?" Jin pauses in thought.
Himiko smiles then, bright yellow orbs gleaming as she looks away from the television. "There names are Izuku and Ochako, I've told you this before Jin!"
Jin nods patiently, motioning with his hands for her to go on. "Yes, but why them? They have pretty versatile quirks yes, but nothing else really stands out about them. They aren't trying to become traitors either are they, wait is that your plan?" He questions.
"Because they're in love. I've seen in the way they interact with each other whether they've come to realize it fully yet or not. People in love act differently, it changes how one acts and can be a motivation or weakness. Once I drink more of their blood we'll all become closer, don't you think?" She explains simply.
Jin only cocks his head in confusion, unsure what to say regarding this. He'll help as much as he can though if she needs him to bring out multiples of himself, all she has to do is ask!
She returns her attention back to the news as they discuss the possible suspects of the boy's murder, maybe her impatience had gotten the best of her though she couldn't help it.
Yes, people in love act differently...
She was sure the same would ring true for Izuku and Ochako, the blood of a person in love was truly special.
And the taste of it will be like nothing she's had before.
-X-
Izuku & Ochako
"I overheard my Mom mention my Dad may be coming in for a visit."
It's the first thing Izuku has said since school let out, lost in his thoughts she imagines. The mention of his Dad now though elicits thoughts of the fortune-teller, of Madam Chiba's glittering verdant orbs and the hazy scene of them just a few years from now.
"That's great news to hear, right?! You haven't seen him in awhile." Ochako suggests, injecting as much enthusiasm into her voice to shake away the vision.
Did Madam Chiba even know for sure if her visions actually happened or not?
Izuku shrugs, but a small grin makes it's way across his face. "Yeah, there's a lot to tell him about if he's indeed able to come back! It could be a false alarm though considering Mom hasn't told me anything directly in person yet, his job keeps him overseas for a majority of year with only a few breaks here and there for holidays and what not."
'And I use to complain so much about my parents.' Ochako squirms, at least she could see them whenever she wanted without having to think about expenses like air travel back and forth.
Izuku shifts uncomfortably at her expression, patting her shoulders. "Ah, Mom and I are used to it! After all, it comes with the territory of his job! Anyways, we should stay focused as Kacchan mentioned on not letting the League or any of their associates infiltrate the school again."
"It will be nice if-" Her sentence is abruptly cut off by Izuku pulling her close to his chest and heat instantly burns at her cheeks.
Her stomach flips, body freezing up until she follows the direction of Izuku's gaze. A figure from the shadows hurriedly skitters off at being noticed, neither getting a good look at the figure.
"It looked like he was about to launch something at you, possibly a dart or needle." Izuku explains and this makes her stomach faster as if in a storm, slowly loosening herself from his grip but staying close.
'So we're being watched; targeted.' Izuku establishes.
It wouldn't be the first time and whoever that was in the alley they're sure to encounter again. As a Hero this is is something he'll need to get used to, the sensation of being watched whether for good or bad intentions.
Ochako immediately moves into alert mode beside him, observing each corner carefully as they begin slowly walking once more.
Still though he can feel the rush of his heartbeat in his ears, the prickle of goosebumps on Ochako's arms.
-x-
As Izuku and Ochako get closer they'll start to call each other by their first names and of course be awkward about it! I really enjoyed the fortune-teller scene, consider that a sort of sneak peek! This story takes me the longest to write out and think about, sorry again on the delay, consider this an early Christmas present! Let me know if you have any thoughts!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!