/ Hey friends. I'm so sorry I haven't updated in a while. Various issues with health and other matter have prevented me from being in a creative mind space. Good news is things are settling down! So regular updates should resume!/

"He's someone I work with," Dabi looked her over, "he didn't touch you, did he?"

Chise sat the knife down and crossed her arms, "No. Why was he here?"

"I assume that childish idiot trying to move things along."

"You mean they're trying to get me to join your club."

He scoffed with a smirk, "Yeah."

"I don't want them here again," she turned back around and continued her task, "Am I clear?"

"You barking orders now?"

"Yes," she over her shoulder at him, "I'll crush their bones next time it happens...I'm serious."

"I might tell them the front door is open then," he teased. He could tell she was mad, "I didn't tell them where you live."

Chise set down the knife, "If they think they can intimidate me, it'll be their mistake." She turned to face him and leaned against the counter, "I don't like feeling backed into a corner."

Dabi sauntered up to her, "They won't lay a hand on you...or Haru." His eyes met hers, "But I'd like for you to seriously consider joining us."

"What purpose does this serve?" She tilted her head, "I don't know anything, so why would I seriously consider it?"

"We all have different reasons," he paused, "but at the end of it, we want to take down a very corrupt system. You've even said how overrated it is..." he swallowed, "Not everyone should be a hero."

"You're talking about Endeavor," she took a brave step towards him, "What did he do to you?"

"Chise, don't push it."

"You expect me to work with someone who preaches about a cause they can't explain?"

In an instant his face was in hers, his voice low, "I've told you everything I'm going to. Drop it."

"Or what?"

Dabi noticed her pupils dilate slightly. So that's her giveaway, he thought to himself. "Are you gonna use your quirk on me?" He smirked, "That's not fair."

"I haven't decided yet," her voice was quiet.

"I'll make a deal," he kept his intense gaze on her, "come with me tonight. Talk to them. Then you can decide to keep struggling like this, or, join in."

"And if I decide not to join?"

"I'll disappear." He took a step back, "I have work to do. Be down here at midnight."

She watched him go before letting out a small breath, "Ugh, why me?"

Haru was fast asleep as she made her way downstairs. A cool front was making its way through as fall pushed for an appearance. She zipped the black leather jacket and huffed. She wasn't sure why she was even doing this. Sure money was tight, but, was this the proper solution? Her savings was gone paying for Haru and the bar. If he were to get sick or hurt, she would have no money for proper care. That irked her.

She walked down the stairs after making sure the door was locked securely. Dabi put out the cigarette he was holding and pushed off of the bar, "Let's go out the back door. We need to stay out of sight."

Chise nodded and followed him out into the pitch black alley behind the bar. He was quiet the entire way, seeming a little on edge as they kept to the back streets. He pulled out his phone and sent a text, finally turning to her, "Listen," he pulled her close, "stay close to me, stay sharp."

"Okay," Chise looked at him briefly before she saw a portal open.

They walked up to the old warehouse quietly. Chise's ears picked up movement, making her look just in time. A dagger was suspended in the air next to her throat. Dabi sighed and yanked it out of the air, "Stop fucking around Toga."

A blonde girl giggled darkly, "You're girlfriend is cute...mind if I cut her up?"

"Try it," Chise smiled sweetly, "and I'll rip your limbs off of your body."

The girls attitude did a complete one eighty, her eyes gleaming, "Oh I adore you! Let's be friends."

"Come on," Dabi pushed open the door, giving Toga another glare.

"Ah, it's wonderful to see you again!" Compress bowed dramatically.

Chise blinked, "Yeah..."

"Oh a new friend! A new piece of ass." Came..two voices to her right. The first sentence was one voice, the second was another. Dabi sent him a glare, making both voices chuckle. He was a muscular man, dressed in a grey body suit, tape measures on his wrists.

Chise was losing patience and felt like she was walking into a lions den. A man who appeared to be made of smoke bowed slightly, but remained quiet. Her green eyes settled on a pale being, his green eyes glared out from behind the hand on his face. He stood, walking up to her. She noticed Dabi take a step close behind her, his chest was almost against her back.

"What's so special about you," his scratchy voice instantly made her skin crawl.

"I could say the same," she eyed him, refusing to waiver. He made a move towards her, but his body froze, unable to move. She smirked seeing his confused frustration, "I know you're not in charge..."

Dabi couldn't help but snicker, "Chise behave."

"I like her! What a bitch."

"Release me," the pale man ordered.

"Not until I talk to the big wig..." she sighed, "I'm not here to fuck around. I have questions."

At that moment, Dabis phone rang. He answered formally, not like his usual casual, sarcastic manner. He handed the phone off, and a portal opened, "Step through."

Chise let out a breath of courage before walking through the portal. Shigaraki grabbed Dabis jacket, "How dare you..."

"Me?" He scoffed, "You're the one acting like a bratty child..."

Compress walked up to the two, "I think what he is trying to say, is it would have been nice to have more knowledge about her quirk."

"It doesn't matter," his blue orbs looked at the masked man, "I think he's just jealous that I found her first."

Shigaraki pushed away from him, "Don't flatter yourself..." he huffed and returned to his seat on a shipping crate.

Compress tilted his head slightly, speaking low enough for only Dabi, "You two seem close."

"I wasn't lying when I said I've been working," he pulled a cigarette from his coat.

"I never doubted you," Compress moved past him deeper into the warehouse.

Chise stepped out of the portal into an office. Her green eyes immediately landed on an overly large figure, waiting. "Chise, please, sit down."

She moved to a red plush chair and sat down, "I'm assuming you're the ring leader of whatever that is."

He let out a dark chuckle from his helmeted head that made Chise shiver, "I am. Give them some grace. So many different personalities in one place, it can be overwhelming." He folded his massive hands on the table, "What is it you wanted to speak about?"

"I have more to worry about than just myself," she relaxed in the chair, "If I decide to play a role, it cannot be in the middle of it all."

"I understand your situation. Your bar would be a perfect place for gathering information."

"That's all I'm willing to give."

He leaned forward, the desk creaking under his massive body weight, "Chise, I understand your parents are deceased."

She swallowed, "Yes."

"So it's only you and your brother then?"

"...Why do you want to know?"

"Because," he stood, making her feel small, "I like to know what I can about those who choose to follow me."

"I'm not following you," she held her gaze on him, "I think the ideal of heroes and villains is overrated. I just need money to make sure my brother is taken care of."

"Then consider us...business partners," he walked to the door and opened it, "I'll be in touch."

Chise stood and walked out of the door to see a portal waiting. She turned to face him, "Don't make me regret this..." she turned and walked through, ending up inside of her bar.

The giant man chuckled to himself, "Oh Dabi, you did well..."