...
His arrival at the usual spot was nothing special. Escaping the watchful eye of Eraserhead, his soulmate had been far easier than it should have been. Too bad for the hero. Good for him.
Of course, he was early which meant he needed to stay out of sight until it was time for him to meet with Giran. Which meant Izuku went to the rooftop and sat watching the bar. No one came near the place and very few would stay even on the same side of the street.
This area was part of the Red Light District. Here people tended to keep to themselves. No one wanted to anger the criminals. Or get in the way of the few vigilantes that occasionally patrolled.
A part of him wondered if they remembered him and the Lost Children. Did they already forget about them? Or were they simply getting on with their lives?
Whether it was heroes or vigilantes no one good stayed for long. The ill-intentioned ones would push them out. Those they couldn't push out would kill them.
The Lost Children had been pushed out by well-meaning heroes. Izuku once more felt as if he was falling behind. He had become close to Kid but he watched as the others were adopted. Watched as they found families in those who wanted children. Even Katsuki had a stronger relationship with his hero.
Part of Izuku was jealous and felt guilty because of it of his friend's budding closeness. Jeanist was a good man. He would look after Katsuki and make sure he had all he needed. Both physically and mentally.
Tsukauchi took care of Izuku and had an open-door policy for Izuku. They just hadn't clicked as the others had. It felt as if there was a wall blocking them from becoming closer. That and Tsukauchi never brought up the topic of being more than just a guardian. Even Jeanist had brought that up with Katsuki at least once. Though Katsuki wasn't ready for that. Not yet.
Sometimes he felt as if he was just a burden to the man. That it would be better for everyone if he simply disappeared. More than once he considered doing so. Just up and leaving in the night never to be seen again. Likely he would end up with Kid and his merry band of thieves. Holding him back was Katsuki his oldest friend and brother in all but blood. If he were to leave it would destroy him. Katsuki would never stop looking for him. He wouldn't be able to focus on his dream. So for now that simple thought kept him from leaving.
Izuku laid his head on his knee continuing to watch the building. He would rather not continue that train of thoughts. Relief filled him when he saw two figures enter the building. There was no mistaking the tall lanky form of Blue Clues. Even if he used a hoodie to hide his scars.
Time to go down there and see him. Climbing down from the building and slipping across the street with practiced ease he entered the meeting spot. The bar hadn't changed any since the last time he was here. It was still dusty as it had been before.
No one had been here in a while. The bar was simply a front if Giran wanted to meet someone on neutral grounds. Such as allowing Izuku to see one of his Lost Children who never found a home and decided to go off on his own.
Giran's purple eyes gave Izuku a once over before he said, "It's good to see you King of Thieves. Thought you might have trouble being on time given your new affiliations."
Izuku winced at the hidden accusation. It seemed he had heard about Izuku's new position with the heroes.
Reluctantly he said, "We weren't in a good position, Giran. A bunch of the kids came down with pneumonia and so did I. Katsuki would need to run things by himself. I know for a fact I wouldn't have made it to spring."
Giran snapped his anger and a smidgen of hurt showing, "Why didn't you come to me? I could have helped you. Set you up with a doctor."
Izuku tilted his head to the side as he asked, "For all of us? Remember how many we were Giran. It would cost you a small fortune to have us all looked at. That doesn't include hush money for them to ignore some of our more notable members."
Giran wanted to argue even more but Izuku saw realization. Then came the acceptance. That was when Blues Clues decided to turn around and throwback his hood. Izuku winced when he saw the staples. Scar from his flame quirk had gotten worse since the last time they saw each other.
The older boy needed to start using hero-grade burn cream. Just treating it with staples wasn't cutting it. Otherwise, he was going to end up being called Staple man instead of Dabi as he preferred. Or Blues Clues as Izuku and the other kids refused to call him anything else.
Blues Clues splutters and Giran lets out a real laugh. That in turn makes Izuku grin. Though some found his muttering annoying these two had always accepted it as is. Just like with everything else they used it to pick and bug each other like siblings. Or in Giran's case the childish uncle that you couldn't get rid of.
Realistically Izuku knew Giran wasn't the best person in the world. Many saw him as a villain because of who he associated with. However, he still had a code he stuck to. He would never betray a client, all information he gave or found out was between them, and he didn't hurt kids. That was how Izuku and the Lost Children met him. A client had asked for information on the group. The moment Giran found out they were kids he shut it down without hesitation. Then he offered his services. Which they didn't use very often but it had been good to have in the back of their minds.
Izuku questioned turning his full attention back to Dabi, "How have you been? It's been a long time since we last met up."
Dabi replied tiredly, "It's been busy. Especially since you no longer patrol Musutafu. Noise gives his best."
Izuku blinked as he asked, "That old bastard is still patrolling Hosu? Didn't he retire last spring?"
Giran snapped looking up from his phone, "Noise isn't old! He's three years younger than me."
"Giran you are old," snorted both boys.
Giran growled, "You little shits."
Both grinned at the growl. Then Dabi said, "Noise still patrols part-time in Hosu. He said something about helping Ingenium."
Izuku winced. He knew that Ingenium would allow the vigilantes to do as they pleased. As long as they weren't using excessive force at least. He also knew the man didn't have as much time as he did before. It was because he had to look after several children.
Dabi crossed his arms frowning as he said, "You know why he doesn't seem to have as much time? Does this have to do with you and the other kids disappearing?"
With a tilt of his head towards Giran, he asked, "You didn't tell him?"
"Just a bit of the basics," replied Giran as he headed to the back, "It wasn't my place. You might want to explain from the beginning as I don't know the full story either."
Izuku opened his mouth then closed it again. Then he explained all that had happened. Including the encounter with Endeavor. A dark look crossed Dabi's face.
When he finished Dabi asked, "You haven't had any more encounter with the Number 2? He hasn't tried to call in your debt?"
Izuku shook his head as he said, "Nope. I haven't even seen the man since that night. I have been with the detective or Ingenium for the most part. It was only recently that I started hanging out with Kid."
Dabi asked curious, "Yeah what is that about? You know Kaito Kid is part of the Phantom Thieves right? They are thieves that go after some of the most expensive jewels in the world. What could you possibly need to speak to Kid about?"
"Kid saved me from the detective remember?"
Dabi growled as they now moved to sit at the bar, "He's blackmailing you?"
Izuku snorted, "No, nothing like that. Kid has been nothing but kind to me. He's even teaching me magic tricks."
"Then why?"
Izuku pulled out his falcon pin and placed it on the bar. It wasn't the first time Dabi had seen his pin. Both Giran and Dabi had seen it. Izuku having shown them in hopes of finding out who he was. His friend raised an eyebrow.
Sighing Izuku explained, "According to Kid only Phantom Thieves carry this pin. Those who serve under the Thief Lord."
...
Laying two cups of coffee out on the table he felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach. Tsunagu sat in his civilian wear and his scarf pooled around his neck. Just barely he could see the scar poking up out of it. The reason he wore his uniform so high.
This wasn't like Izuku. While his ward liked to run off and meet with a friend he never ditched his watcher. He never went without Katsuki.
Naomasa had been at the station working on paperwork when Aizawa called. He stated that Izuku had given him the slip but he had Bakugo with him. An old man was with them when he arrived. He answered Naomasa's questions honestly.
The man was called Jii and he was the owner of the bar. He allowed the teenagers to meet with a friend at his bar. The only stipulation was that they weren't allowed to drink. As much as he wanted to Naomasa had nothing to charge him with.
So in the end he had to let the man go and take Katsuki back to his apartment. Then he called Tsunagu who promptly arrived as soon as he could. Like Naomasa he didn't like Izuku's sudden disappearance. Katsuki wasn't much help either. All he would say was that he was visiting a friend.
With a call to alert their allies now all they could do was wait. Waiting was not his strong suit. Naomasa had thought that he was making headway with Izuku. They had come to a kind of peaceful agreement. Naomsa gave him freedom and the kid had been agreeable to keeping in contact. Then this happened.
What was going through Izuku's head? There was still the chance that his life could be in danger from his mother. It was why they had someone watching them when they weren't at Ingenium's agency or Naomasa's apartment. All they wanted was for the kids to be safe.
Naomasa wasn't oblivious to the looks of longing in Izuku's eyes. He watched one by one as his friends found homes with those that were trusted. A part of him was afraid to venture into the topic of adoption. He knew that Tsunagu had already touched on the topic with Katsuki. The blond was amiable to it but that didn't mean Izuku would be. If he pushed too fast too soon then Izuku would run. Out of all the kids he doubted he would be able to catch Izuku a second time. The first had been pure luck. Luck would not favor them a second time.
Tsunagu sipped at his coffee before he asked, "Anything?"
"Not yet," he replied, "But he is the King of Thieves. If he doesn't want to be seen he won't be."
Tsunagu said with a tight smile, "If what Katsuki says is true he won't just leave. I'd say he is probably visiting a friend just like what they said. Your quirk hasn't wrung false yet."
"They know how to get around it by now," complained Naomasa, "Have you ever listened to Izuku when he is analyzing something? Like truly listened to his mumbling?"
"No is it any good?" Questioned Tsunagu genuinely curious.
"Amy good" he cried, "If the kid wanted to he could tell someone how to kill every hero in the top 100. His mind is on par with Nezu's even if he hasn't gone to school since his mother abandoned him. His analysis skills are unmatched even by professionals. He could revolutionize the entire industry. Or he could bring it down on our heads and we would be unable to stop him."
"He's just a kid," tried Tsunagu.
"A kid who figured out Yagi's secrets," interrupted Naomasa, "Figured out how to stop Endeavour within five minutes of a fight. How to neutralize your quirk and kill you."
Naomasa watched as realization hit. His ward was truly terrifying. If anyone could bring down their society and make it look like child's play it would be Izuku. Thankfully he was on their side. If he was a villain he would be on par with All For One himself. The world would not survive a second All For One being created.
After a moment he said, "Izuku is a good kid though. When he becomes a hero he will be the best anyone has ever seen."
Tsunagu now looked intrigued with a small knowing smile, "Have you asked him yet?"
He shook his head. No, no he had not asked if the kid wanted to be adopted by him.
"You haven't. Why?"
Naomasa said with a sharp look towards Izuku's room where he knew Katsuki was his voice cold and booking no argument, "My reason is my own."
A frown crossed Tsunagu's face then suddenly he stiffened. Then all at once the blood drained from his At first Naomasa was confused as to why. A tugging on his clothes drew his attention. The hero was using his quirk? Why?
Naomasa turned so that he could see his door. It was closed and nothing seemed to be off about it. Then he heard light footsteps running away from the door and his heart stopped. Izuku!