Three years earlier….

"It's positive!" It was an unceremonious response. It was something that wouldn't come celebratory from her parents, her sister, and her friends. She sat back on the toilet. She wasn't wearing anything with the exception of her panties. The bathroom has been her tiny asylum over the last few hours. An incubator, if not a shell as the teen's worst fear has been confirmed.

Ruby Rose was pregnant.

A lump in her throat was produced. A sob stood in its wake. It was no one's fault but her own. She could hear a ringing in her ear by Uncle Qrow to wear protection. Condoms were in her suitcases where he placed them in case of tempting thoughts. She could picture the disappointment on his face along with Yang's and her parents. Would they kick her out? Would she have to leave Beacon? What would Blake and Weiss think of having a pregnant teenager for a friend?

Fear fueled her thoughts as an anvil-felt headache pounded her mind.

Was it worth it? To claim a boy that wasn't hers in the first place, unrequited love at that.

Tears began to pelt the applicator that showcased the evidence of her conception. She was going to be a mother. It was obvious that Izuku was the father.

But would he ever know? Would he want to know? Would he accept it? There was no ultimatum on his part. Would he accept and claim the responsibility that he didn't ask for? It was her fault, she told herself. She forced him to have sex with her. They didn't use protection even though she had it.

Stupidity was the motive for she wanted proof that Izuku's love was inside of her. Careless actions created stupid results for a stupid girl. Ruby hit herself on her forehead as this so-called leader of RWBY has a tiny being growing inside of her.

As tears continued to fall, this incubator of a bathroom wasn't going to remain a safe haven. She could hide this for a spell, but at some point, her belly will grow. Suspicions will grow. Excuses such as weight gain and bloating could last for a short time. Be that as it may, women like Aunt Raven, Aunt Kali, and Aunt Willow will easily determine the tell-tale signs of pregnancy.

Ruby's days of innocence were becoming numbered.

Back to the present….

"I've found Ruby. Don't worry." Izuku was in the bathroom at the drink bar when his mother called. He found it amazing that at even eighteen, his mother couldn't last an hour without being worrisome.

"How does she look? Beautiful as ever I suppose!" Izuku declined to immediately entertain the obviosity of the inevitable. If he told his mother to come by, then she would be there at two shakes of a lion's tail.

"Ruby is Ruby," he answered. "Just a bit taller and grew her hair out."

"Girls do develop faster than boys, young man," she retorted. "But beautiful, correct?"

He momentarily muted to hide his groans. He removed the mute button. "Ruby is now a woman. She is pretty." He didn't like being curt and to the point, but his mother was at the age like all mothers about when their children would look for potential suitors. As much as he could lament about the days of yesteryear with dating, he needed to end this so he could return back to the woman in question.

"That's so exciting to hear," she answered. "I can't wait to see her tonight. Oh, by the way, young man, did you ever find the little girl's parents?"

The million-dollar questioned penetrated his tiny heart. Sweat immediately poured out of his skin. The slickness of his hand as it tried holding onto the cell phone. "Yeah, her mother found her. I took her to the security office."

"My little Izuku, coming to save the day." She shifted her tone alluringly. "That will excuse not visiting Auntie Ryuko. I do expect you to go by and see her. She already picked out a precious gem that Ruby would love like crazy."

'I love you, my little emerald gem.'

'I love you like crazy.'

His throat became dry. His voice began to crack. He took strong breaths to keep his composure. In less than twelve hours, his life has shifted once more. Ruby Rose was back in his life and she brought a welcoming gift as well.

"Look, Izuku! I don't wait to hold you on your little outing," said his mother. "Have fun with Ruby. And remember to stop by Auntie Ryuko before heading home. I love you, Icchan!"

He licked his now-chapped lips. "Love you, too, Mom!" He placed his phone back into his pocket. His eyes were now staring at the scrawled graffiti of the stalls. Etched in marker and craved instruments were the epithets of society - sexual favors, derogatory comments, and drawings of mushrooms and bones. Nothing to others, but to Izuku, it was innocence. Quite macabre and nonsensical, but nevertheless, it showed freedom.

Aiko!

Little Miss Aiko, Aiko Rose, that tiny bundle of energy was a Rose and a Midoriya. A DNA test wasn't necessary as he could himself in that little girl. Her age matched the timing of him and Ruby's having sex. He doubted that there were other guys before him hence seeing blood coming from her vagina.

Then, it was her quirk. Aiko has a quirk. Although aware that people from Remnant have semblance, there was no way on Earth to doubt Aiko's proclivities.

Also, Aiko told him that her middle name was Zelena. Zelena, in various European languages, translates to green.

Three years earlier….

Yang told her Uncle Qrow that she needed five minutes before she left with him to go to Blake's. Grabbing her house key and her purse, as well as a few teen dating magazines, she was preparing to head over to her best friend's house as the Faunus needed advice as she was trying to get back with her on-again/off-again boyfriend, Adam.

However, that wasn't the main reason for her delay.

Ruby never left her room all day. Not a peep, not a sound. Her mother made a fresh batch of her favorite chocolate chip cookies and not even the tasty scent lured the teen coming out of her room.

That raised concern from the blonde.

"Ruby? Sis?" She lightly tapped the door. There was concern in her voice. Not the wavering voice of worriedness, but felt in her heart that something wasn't right.

"Go away!" Her voice sounded raspy through the door. Yang could sense in her sister's voice that she has been crying.

She made another attempt. "Ruby, sweetie. You haven't been out all day. It's a bit out of character for you." She pressed her face against the door. Very cool to the touch as her hand delicately touched the knob.

The door was locked.

"I'm not coming out of my room. Never! So, leave me the hell alone!" It was a waving crescendo from the redhead-brunette. Yang tucked in her lip, seeing the car with Uncle Qrow's waiting on her, but at the same time, didn't want to leave Ruby behind.

With their father and her stepmother out for the evening, she didn't want to leave Ruby alone. Staring through the window at Uncle Qrow, she signaled him to make a raincheck and head out without her. Feeling that her best friend could survive the evening without her for dating advice, she texted Blake on her scroll that she will be also making a rain check.

"Ruby, what's going on? This isn't like you." Yang's questioning of Ruby's aberrant behavior began the moment after her return from Japan. The once happy-go-lucky, chipper teen leader was nothing more than a cocoon of her former self. She began developing mood swings. She would argue with her mother, their father, anyone that dared questioned her about anything, especially when it came to her homestay. Ruby didn't talk to her friends. She barely ate any of her meals. It was as if the Ruby they knew was left in Japan and they got someone else.

Yang wasn't always the type to pry, but she wanted answers. Who or what made Ruby this way? And today, she was going to find out.

She squatted to the floor, leaning her back against the wall. She rubbed through her hair as she pondered on what she could say to her troubled sister. "Hey, Rubes! I don't know what's bugging you, but I want you to know that I have your back."

She didn't hear a response. Yang wasn't expecting it. She continued talking. "I know that sometimes we have our moments. We can be fussy, moody, argumentative. Trust me! I am still learning how to have a better temperament with Mom." She tilted her head. "Ruby, just know that whatever you are feeling, we love you. Your Mom, Dad, Uncle Qrow, everyone! You have good people in your corner. Whatever is bugging you, let me see what I can do to help you."

She still didn't hear a response. She clicked her tongue worriedly. She knew that she wasn't the best resource with advice. The times in which she left her sister alone at Beacon to hang out with friends, or the idea of keeping their personal lives and their school lives separate as she wanted an independent role in lieu of being Ruby's keeper.

Nevertheless, the role of big sister was taking precedence. She lowered her butt to the floor and crossed her legs. "I know you and I aren't the best of friends, but I am here to listen to you. Since you have been back from Japan, you haven't been yourself. Did something happen to you while you were out there?"

Yang tapped the door loud enough to alert Ruby that she was still around. But at the same time hoped that Ruby was listening.

"Did someone say something to you? Made fun of you? Hurt you? Did things inappropriately?" Yang prayed to Oum that it wasn't the latter. To be in a foriegn land and unreachable would make anyone fallible and vulnerable. "Regardless of the repercussions, Rubes, we are here for you and we want to help. Don't think that you are alone, Sissy. I love you. Give me a sign that you are responding to this."

Yang darted her eyes to the wall when she heard movement coming from the other end of the door. Tiny footsteps made its way to the door. She felt her sister touching the door. Then, she heard a scratching sound through the cracks at the foot of the door.

When Yang turned her head to investigate the noise, she covered her mouth on what was in front of her.

It was a pregnancy test.

Yang's hands were shaking in fear. She slowly reached for the item that was light in weight but carried a heavy toll if the results were positive.

Yang saw the red stripes that sealed her sister's fate.

"Oh, my Oum! Ruby? What happened?!"

Back to the present….

It was Izuku that bought the drinks. A tequila sunrise for Summer, a Unicorn frappe for Little Miss Aiko, a mineral water for Ruby, and a plain black coffee for himself. Their room was at the end of the hall. They were fortunate to obtain a room since it was a busy weekend and it was the lovely Aiko to convince the disgruntled waitress due to their tardiness.

The seats were plushy. Izuku didn't recall these seats to be this plushy. Then, could he even recall the feelings of the seat? He hasn't been here in three years.

He watched as Ruby held her daughter to press the button on the karaoke machine. "Mississippi Queen" was the choice. Little Miss Aiko was an old soul. Or that was what Ruby mentioned as she returned back to their seat. They were inches apart. Summer sat quietly at the end as she was coloring in her coloring book they picked up on the way to the drink bar. Aiko had her microphone in hand as she waited for the guitar riffs to end to sing the chorus.

Then, there was Izuku - up, front, and center. Both ends holding the bottom of the porcelain mug. Smoke from the coffee dancing in front of his eyes. Paralyzed wasn't the best choice of words to describe the stiffness, the disbelief of shock in this current juncture.

Was that real? If one wouldn't know any better, they would look at them as a family. A grandmother, a mother, a daughter, and a walking stranger who by default is the father.

"How is University?" Izuku gazed away from his undrinked coffee and turned to the woman that had taken his innocence. A partial smile, a gleam in her eye, trying her best to be attentive to both Izuku and her daughter simultaneously.

"University?" Izuku looked away, pondering on the right choice words. "School is school, I guess."

"You guess," she said while smiling. "Is that coming from the same teen who was studious and concerned about his grades."

"Are we talking grades or level of my stats on Persona or Smash Brothers Melee?"

"Ha," she said while pointing at him. "The cheekiness comes out. There's Izuku!"

"Ha, ha, ha," he retorted sarcastically. He pursed his lips, trying to hide his smile. "School is okay. At my second choice school. Apparently going to video game college wasn't an option for Mommy Dearest."

She didn't answer but laughed at the response. "What are you pursuing?"

"General classes for now," he answered. "Still pondering on my path."

"To be a Pro Hero?"

"Of course! Just not at this instant."

Izuku was an interdisciplinary studies major. A fancy term to describe the indecisiveness of picking a definitive career choice. "Attending university is like high school without the hovering parents. Free to roam, no uniforms. Stay up late, cram at the last minute for exams. No worries about Mom checking if I have done my homework or receiving a phone call about a bad grade." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Just free to roam and the liberty to choose, I guess."

Such a lukewarm response, but could he be blamed?

"Weiss decided to study abroad. She is actually studying fashion in Switzerland."

"You don't say?!"

"Apparently being a huntress is becoming a thing of the past. Blake and Adam are back together."

Izuku raised his eyebrow. "Blake and Basket Case? You would think him and Dio were related."

"Adam has settled down tremendously and is trying his best to cascade his own pride," she retorted. "Blake and Adam are attending school back in Menagerie. Politics as usual, but are working together to restore peace between Faunus and humans with her father's organization."

Izuku remained awestruck. "Are you sure that isn't Dio in disguise as Adam?"

She smirked. "You think it is Adam, but it is I!"

"Kono Dio Da," the duo said before laughing. Ruby wiped her eyes. "The inside jokes we shared while watching Jojo's Bizarre Adventure."

"It kept the nosiness from Katsuki at bay," retorted Izuku.

"How is the pomeranian?"

"Roommates, unfortunately. Mom and Auntie Mitsuki wanted us to stick together," he said as he scratched under his arms.

"Is Kacchan treating you right?"

"I remembered the look on his face when you called him that."

She raised her eyebrow. "Nothing like a good Crescent Rose to his neck to understand each other."

"He respects you now."

"He better!" She winked. "No one, I mean, no one messes with my Icchan!"

He immediately blushed as he placed his lips around the coffee mug. After taking a few sips, he looked to Aiko. "Katsuki isn't too bad. At least I can sleep without worrying about a wet willie or my hand in a bowl of water." He dropped his head. "As much!"

She hit his shoulder. "I envy you. It sounds like you're having fun with college."

Mississippi Queen

You know what I mean

Mississippi Queen

She taught me everything

Went down around Vicksburg

Around Louisiana way

Where lived the Cajun Lady

Aboard the Mississippi Queen

Cracked high notes continue to come out of Aiko's windpipes. She sang with all of her might as she decided that a song wasn't a song without her form of choreography.

Izuku decided to change the subject. "Aiko seems to be quite the entertainer."

Ruby tilted her neck to her daughter. "She is! Always want to be the center of attention. You wouldn't think a three-year-old could have this surge of energy. She is like a ball of electricity."

A nice way to describe it, Izuku thought as he finally had the stomach to drink his coffee. "So, what about you, Ruby? How things have been on your end?"

She wiped the water droplets off her nose before answering Izuku's question. "Well," she said absolutely. "Enrolled in a private college. It's a two-year college near home." She shrugged her shoulders. "I really don't know what I want to do since the dreams of being a huntress are permanently derailed."

"Is that so?"

"Hmm hmm! I am studying alchemy, but that may change."

"Why is that?"

"Money isn't there. It was something I chose randomly."

"You don't say?" Izuku could have further elaborated but chose not to indulge further. It seemed that indecisiveness and spontaneity favor each other with Ruby when it comes to making life decisions.

At least their feelings are mutual.

"It wasn't an easy train ride, I tell you that," said Ruby. "It was a balance between being a mother and a prospective huntress. Nevertheless, Beacon gave me unlimited support."

"Good!"

"Yang took over my position following giving birth," she told Izuku. "During my time off, everything was virtual or by correspondence. After finishing my major exams with Goodwitch, Peach, and Port, I graduated." She smiled. "With honors," she added.

"Congrats," said Izuku.

"But, I knew that going to school and being a huntress was impossible with Aiko around," she said as she quivered her lip. She paused momentarily as she saw Aiko pointing and encouraging the invisible crowd to cheer for her. "Aiko has a great support system. Mom, Dad, Yang, everyone looks after her and makes sure that she has a happy life."

Izuku didn't answer. He felt that it wasn't his time and place to speak, if not interject.

She turned her face away from Izuku. "It is certainly obvious that Aiko didn't ask to be in this world." She tilted her head downward. "And her father certainly didn't have a say in this either."

"Ruby," said Izuku.

She looked at her daughter momentarily. "Aiko is now my main concern and I wouldn't put anything above her." She uncapped her water to take another sip. "I try not to put myself first anymore since she has been in the picture. My goal in life is to think of her happiness first so she can have a good life, you know." She turned back to him and delivered such an enchanting smile. "No matter what I do, it is for her. Nevertheless, I am still happy."

The song ended and immediately the tiny emerald child rushed to her mother's aid. "Mommy! There is another song I want to sing next!"

"Okay, my little emerald gem! Choose away!"

Aiko sneezed before rushing to Ruby's lap. Using her napkin to wipe Aiko's face, she turned to Izuku. "Can Daddy sing with me?"

Izuku pointed to himself. "Me? Sing with you?"

Aiko shook her head excitedly. "Huh-huh!" She rushed to his side, tugging at his jacket. It didn't take Izuku any time to be pressured into standing up. By now, he should be used to doing things without being sought for approval.

"Are you sure you want me to sing, Aiko," questioned Izuku. "I can butcher notes very badly."

"No, Yang can butcher notes," interjected Ruby.

Aiko crossed her arms. "I want Papa Izuku to sing!" She stomped her feet. "And I won't be taking no for an answer."

Her response was met with laughter from both Summer and Ruby. Ruby looked onto Izuku. "Aiko gets that from her Aunt Yang."

Summer nodded in agreement. "Yang is so fussy, so demanding." She looked at her daughter. "At least you don't get mad when I draw outside the lines."

Izuku felt the tugging of Aiko's hand on his shirt. He looked down to the emerald-haired child. "It doesn't matter if you can't sing." She said as her face became puffy.

"So demanding," replied Summer whimsically.

Izuku patted his pockets. "But, who am I to deny a little lady's request." He produced a smile. "Okay!"

"Goody," she replied happily while clapping her hands.

"However," he said as he raised his finger. "It will be my choice to pick the song." He flicked her nose. "Okay?"

"Okay, Papa Izuku!"

Izuku perused the screen in search of a song. Browsing through the catalog, a song gained his interest. He turned to Ruby. "So, you say that Little Miss Aiko is an old soul."

"Hey, you don't need Mommy to answer that," she said as she tugged his jacket.

"You're right," retorted Izuku as he kneeled to her height. "So, you like music?!"

She nodded happily. "I love very much."

"Classics? Rock? Hip-hop? Old school?!"

"I love it all."

Izuku nodded in compliance. "Okay, Ms. Rose! Let's see if you know this."

Izuku pressed the button. The sound of hard rock filled the room. Izuku began tapping his feet as Aiko and the others watched.

"Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak

Somewhere in this town

See me and the boys we don't like it

So we're getting up and going down."

Aiko put her finger to her lip. "Well, Daddy, I am not sure. Not sure that…" She grabbed the microphone.

"Hiding low looking right to left

If you see us coming I think it's best

To move away do you hear what I say

From under my breath."

"Okay, Aiko," said Izuku excitedly. "You're definitely wowing me."

Aiko passionately sang Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak" without missing a beat. Ruby watched as father and daughter were serenading each other in song. It was refreshing as it was melting her heart. She let out a silent thanks to Oum. Although it wasn't how she wanted to properly introduce his daughter to him, it was still a pleasant start.

So, after all this time, you want him to meet his daughter.

Izuku has a right to know. It isn't his fault.

Do you think he will accept this? What makes you think that he is all for it?

I don't. And I won't if I continue guessing.

Aiko has all the love she needs. Let Izuku live his life.

That isn't fair. For him and for Aiko. It might be a shock to him, but I know Izuku.

Is that so?

He is an awesome wonder. He cares about people. He is a friend to the friendless. He is an aspiring leader. Things that Aiko needs to see from her father.

Okay. if we are going to do this, then be prepared for whatever comes from Izuku.

I don't believe Izuku will be anything you believe. Just like any challenges he had in the past, he, too, will succeed.

Is that so?

It is so. For Izuku is a hero-to-be. Actually, he is a hero. My hero! And hopefully Aiko's!

To be continued….