...

It took ten minutes just to convince him to get in thr death trap on wheels. Izuku was convinced Tobari had the right idea at first. There was no way it was safe to be in for five seconds much less three hours. Gentle coaxing and outright bribery with snacks that he had not tried before were the only way they got him inside. Pressing buttons on the car was entertaining for the first hour. He had never seen such things before and learning what each button did interested him. More than once the driver had to swat his hand away from one button or another.

After the first hour he leaned his back against the comfortable seat and shut his eyes. He didn't sleep exactly. It was closer to meditating. Thankfully his mind didn't return to the not memories. Instead they drifted to Tobari. The man was a strange one.

Tobari brought him food, tried to speak with him, and even brought a friend once. Izuku and Miharu would never be close. They were both apathetic to the world around them. With their shared friends Kouichi and Shiratama namely caused them to be tolerant.

Kouchi and Shiratama were like Izuku. Missing memories and memories that weren't memories. Animal traits that they couldn't explain but grew to except.

Should he try to find Kouichi again? It was about that time again. His friend would likely follow Tobari as he couldn't stay in one place too long. Moving and creating a new name for himself happened every few years. The Fuuma Clan tended to help with that.

Shiratama was unlikely to leave her place with Miharu. The human vessel did not know his cat was in fact an immortal. Or as immortal as something could be. She was the oldest of the immortals and did not seek death. Nor did she turn away from it. Like her human she was indifferent to what her fate was.

"Are you well, Izuku?"

Izuku opened an eye slightly to see the driver's worried look and shrugged, "As well as I can be. This thing... what did you call it? A car? I feel closed in but I can handle it."

"If you're sure."

Izuku let out a low rumble but did not comment any more. They were only twenty minutes from where he and Tobari would be dropped off when the man stirred. Izuku's ear flicked over to him when he heard a change in the man's breathing. At first the driver didn't notice but Tobari was quickly coming around.

"Where are we?"

"City," the word felt awkward on his tongue, "Don't know where exactly. Do I really have to be here?"

Tobari shuddered as he sat up, "Yes at least for now. Kotarou wants you to bring down as many villains as you can. He didn't want to explain what is happening and I suspect it is something big. Especially since he wants you to go to UA."

"UA?"

Tobari groaned, "I forgot you don't know much about Hero Schools. UA is one of the top Hero Schools in the country. Less than 1% of all applicants make into the Hero Program. There are only two classes making up 40 students possible. One of their teachers are notorious for expelling at least one student within the first week."

"Why?"

Tobari answered thoughtfully, "Hero Work is dangerous and those who don't go to UA have a higher rate of dying in their first two years. This is because of who hard they are on their students."

Izuku turned his head to the side curiosity shining in his green eyes as he asked, "And vigilantes?"

"Vigilantes are interesting," conceded Tobari, "They are neither good nor evil and tend to stay on whatever side they believe is right. Most wanted to be heroes but for one reason or another can't. A bare handful like the now villain Hero Killer: Stain are disillusioned and want things to be different. Sadly vigilantes are 95% of the caught, killed, or fall to villainy. A bare handful get recognized and become legal heroes."

"Good thing I can't die then," dryly replied Izuku.

The driver snapped giving him a glare from the rear view mirror, "Don't be stupid, Izuku. Everyone dies."

No. That was a lie and one humans believed. Not everyone dies. Sometimes those on the cusp of death have a wish in their hearts. Those are the ones who cannot die. A price must always be payed for it however.

Memories, emotions, humanity. In desperate times all would be sacrificed for more time. Was it worth it? In Izuku's opinion, no. No it wasn't worth having more time when he lost so much.

Sensing his disquiet the driver didn't try to speak to him again. Instead she seemed to exchange a look with Tobari. He ignored them both. They didn't understand and likely never would.