I wrote this fanfic in 2021 when the world was crazy and MHA was my safe place, but a few weeks ago I decided to read it again and I was surprised that I still really like it. If you want more chapters, please show it with your comments, and I will try my best to continue it.
[English isn't my first language, so please be kind]
[MHA belongs to Kōhei Horikoshi]
CHAPTER 1
The Heirs
Emi P.O.V.
One second. I hesitated for just a second but it was enough for my opponent to move out of the place and make me go through a tree instead of the target. If I didn't have complete control of my ability I would be trapped, but I retracted the arm easily until it returned to normal. The trunk of the tree was too stiff, so I ended up tearing a glove and getting some splinters in my fingers.
- Too slow - said my father. He had time to come to me before he returned to face Tamaki, who was also not doing very well that day.
I saw his head beside me, still on the tree, and then he returned to the rest of his body that was on the ground. Tamaki attacked him from above, using the octopus tentacles that he had eaten in the morning just for this training, but it was also not enough.
Shinya Kamihara was not so easily defeated, so I took off my mask to breathe better and climbed down from the tree. I watched him carefully dodge every Tamaki attack and hit his head. He didn't go with all his strength on that, he just touched his forehead carefully, a sign that he had won. Again.
My father went back to the ground again, and waited for Tamaki to compose himself to speak to both of us.
How many attempts have we made to defeat him today? Thirty? Fifty? I think we started when the sun was high in the sky and I don't remember having won any. It was our worst training since Tamaki joined us three years ago, all because of the message he told us before we started.
I managed to get the last splinter out of my hand when Tamaki joined me. He didn't have an appropriate set of fighting clothes when he was accepted by my father, usually those who didn't belong to any clan didn't have money for this kind of thing, so my father presented him with clothes from the Kamihara clan, but Tamaki ended customizing the fabric and now they were unique, with leather bags where he could store food, a hood to hide his face whenever he felt the need, and of course, he also got rid of his boots for training.
- What happened to you two today? - My father asked.
Tamaki hid his face, but I needed to face my father.
- You know what the clan number five wants, don't you? - He said - Emi? Tamaki?
We nod in silence. The clan number five didn't aim for the top, but for balance, and we were not balanced today. Our thoughts were too far away.
My hand was bleeding and I was in pain, but I still bowed my head to my father. I didn't do well, I wasn't fast enough, I wasn't strong enough. I just wasn't enough, and that, on the borders and in battles could mean my death someday.
- I'm sorry - I said, still with my head down.
Even being so close I couldn't hear my father's footsteps. I only knew he came towards me when I saw his shoes close to the shadow of my head. I started to hear his breathing, so he had taken off his mask.
- It's okay, Emi - He patted the back of my head. When I looked at my father I expected a look full of disappointment, but he was smiling - it was just a bad day.
I nodded while trying to swallow my tears. My father didn't used to say that kind of thing after training, especially after so many mistakes like that. He was only doing this because we were alone and only Tamaki would witness his affectionate gesture, and also because I think he knew that he shouldn't have made that announcement before our training because it only distracted and distress us.
- You too, Tamaki - my father pressed his shoulder before replacing the mask.
- I'm sorry, master Kamihara - said Tamaki, pressing his fingers together.
- Regardless of what happened today I believe our clan will be in good hands in the future, as long as we continue to follow the traditions and the clan number one the Central Region will be protected.
- But master... - Tamaki timidly raised his hand, it was the first time I saw him do this, he usually didn't interfere in my father's speeches - Is it true what you told us, sir? About the conference?
My father wiped the sweat off his face with the back of his hands, his gray hair made him look older even though he became a father too early. His robe was the same as mine, blue and crimson with white sleeves and collars. There was a golden mask that he sported on his right shoulder, but on my cloth it was located on my left shoulder.
- We have been absent of the annual conference for too long - he said - and I believe we have to talk about relevant issues this year in addition to training the new generation of people with special skills.
Special skills, at least that's how my dad call people like us since still didn't have an official name yet. Some villages had different names for this, but since it started the country has changed and new divisions have emerged.
- Like the fact that we need help? - I asked. I didn't want to sound impulsive, I was just worried.
- Like the fact that the clan number one doesn't have an heir, for example, that worries me - my father replied. He wouldn't admit that our situation was getting worse, not in front of me, of course.
Clan number five, the Kamihara clan, was in charge of the borders of the Central Region, but the clan number one had been isolated in the capital for some time and aid was increasingly scarce.
The Central Region has this name because it had the largest number of people with special skills in the country. It is a vast territory, full of people and riches, and perhaps that is why being noble soon also meant having a skill.
Over time, the nobility began to divide into clans that protected the region and took care of the villagers in our territory. Each clan is located at a specific point in the Central Region and clan number five takes care of the borders, a task too arduous to accomplish alone no matter how many people my father recruits, noble or not. Furthermore, few choose to serve here because of the conflicts with enemy regions, which have only increased over time.
- Now go home and take care of your injuries, we will leave for the annual conference in a few days.
- Should I bring the horses? - I asked.
- No horses today - my father said. His gray eyes stared at me for a second - get back on foot.
Part of me wanted to complain, but that was a fair decision because of our carelessness today.
- And Emi... - I heard my father calling me one last time - You know who will be at the conference, don't you? It could be a good opportunity to get closer to him.
I nodded in silence while Tamaki sighed and started looking for his boots, he had thrown them somewhere near the trees.
I put my mask back, tore off the red ribbon that held my hair and used it to bandage my hand to hide the bleeding and watched my father walk away. He hadn't been home in days, and the only reason we saw each other today was because of training.
The Kamihara residence didn't have a lady and I was already in charge of all decisions when my father was away. We were already living as if he didn't exist.
- He'll be back safely - said Tamaki.
- I didn't say anything - my voice was muffled by the mask.
- Are you nervous about the conference? -Tamaki asked; he was too talkative today.
He took the hood off his face to look for his boots but every time he looked down the fabric covered his face again.
- How long have you not participated?
- Five years - I replied - since the incident.
- Hum - Tamaki groaned. We didn't talk much about that but Tamaki knew everything, even though he wasn't living with us at the time.
Honestly the years away didn't concern me that much but the number of people who would be with me. Every step of mine being watched, especially when using my skill.
It took me more than a year to get used to training with Tamaki, I couldn't even imagine doing it with strangers.
- And you? Are you nervous because you are going to see him again? Is that why you missed the moves?
I asked that question so that Tamaki wouldn't ask me more about the conference, my father's last words were still on my mind.
- Yes - he blushed - and also because I don't know if I'm ready to make a decision.
- The decision is not just up to you - I replied - the clan number one has to accept you first, so you can go.
- You really want me to go, don't you? - Tamaki's posture was even more low now - I know I can't do anything right.
- It's nothing like that! - I hurried to say - I like you Tamaki, we are like brothers, aren't we?
He looked at me and then nodded. His expression looked a little better now.
- You'll always be like a brother to me, no matter where you are, of course I want you to stay and help my father, but I can't hold you here forever.
We were already returning home on a trail that crossed the forest and led to the residence we occupied at a safe distance from the first surveillance point of the borders that surrounded the Central Region. There were no animals in that part of the forest, anything that moves ended up becoming food for the border patrols.
I looked back again. My father's figure had already disappeared, of course. He would spend another sleepless night watching over our safety.
- I just wish he had help - I said - all the nobles are interested in winning titles and wealth at the villages and towns, but no one wants to come to a place like this.
Tamaki covered his face even more with the hood, frightened by my angry tone that came up suddenly.
- Let's go faster, before the sun goes down - I sighed as I searched for the iron ring that I kept hidden in my neck between my robes. That object brought me strength and courage, but also a lot of sadness.
The horses were right there, but we couldn't use them.
When we got home Tamaki retreated to his room on the lower floors while I went directly to the second floor. I got rid of all the sweat and mud during the bath, putted some bandage on my left hand and ate my meals alone in my room, looking out the window as if it were some kind of open book, looking for flaws as the servants raised torches around the walls.
I should have been used to the long periods my father was away, but things looked different now or it was just my anxious thought thinking about the annual conference and who would be there.
Of course he would be there.
I realized that I had spent too much time watching my empty plate and turning the iron ring that I kept on a chain around my neck. I kept every letter I received due to the marriage agreement that clan number five had signed a few years ago. Things had changed, the groom has changed, but the duty persisted.
"It's time", I thought, "I couldn't go on with only half my heart in it".
The weather was always a little colder at night because we lived in the countryside, the nearest village was half an hour on horseback to the west while the surveillance points of the borders and trainings were carried out in the east. I put a warmer robe on top of the nightgown, got a lighted lamp and left my room, crossed the corridors and stepped carefully on the wooden floor until I reached the kitchen.
There was a corridor right next to it led to Tamaki's room and also to my favorite place in the house: a solarium that faced the garden. That was our favorite spot when we were kids because we could run through whole garden and go back to eat cake in a few seconds, that's why I decided to keep the altar there. That way he would always be looking at the garden, but he would also be warm from the heat of the kitchen.
I lit candles and some incense for him every morning, but I felt that I needed to come here and pray before did what I had in mind.
- I can't take with me anymore - I said as if he could hear me while taking the ring off my neck - It's getting heavier and heavier each day.
I looked around, I didn't want to be heard talking to a ghost, even though everyone already knew.
- And it wouldn't be fair to Shoto either… But that does not mean I'll stop coming here, Toya.
I looked at the ring I had left on the altar. He seemed to be calling me, judging me for throwing him away. But it wasn't like that, I just hadn't die with him.
- Are you okay? - Tamaki appeared so quietly that for a second I thought Toya was finally answering me and my heart beat fast, almost jumping out of my mouth.
- Are you crazy?! - I said, and then I remembered I should be talking low so the servants wouldn't hear us.
- I'm sorry - Tamaki knelt beside me, looking confused and embarrassed. He had also exchanged the robes from training for more comfortable fine linen clothes - I was going to the kitchen looking for milk and I saw you here.
- I'm fine - I sighed, finally calmer - I just wanted to talk to Toya a little.
Tamaki nodded, probably thinking how crazy I was.
- Shoto still sends you letters, doesn't he?
- Every two weeks - I replied - I try to answer, we get along with words, I think, but he still hasn't come here after we made the engagement official.
- Maybe he didn't want to disrespect his brother either - Tamaki pointed to the altar, his hair was even messier that night.
- Maybe... Natsuo stopped writing to me, did you know that? We used to be close before all that but he's far away from his family now - I kept looking at the altar, I don't know why, but I felt very lonely when he said that would be his last letter.
I smiled a little involuntarily and Tamaki looked at me.
- But I like Shoto's letters, actually more than I wanted to admit and after you came to live here I'm not as lonely as I was anymore. That's why I decided to take the ring off. I just don't want to hurt anyone.
Tamaki swallowed and squeezed his chest as if in pain.
- I wish I had that courage - he said, looking at the floor - but I can't say anything when I see Mirio.
- You two are childhood friends too, aren't you? - I asked - Maybe you don't need to say anything to know what the other feels.
- Even like that - Tamaki sniffed, he was almost crying - I wanted to tell him what I feel, that I want to be accepted into clan number one because of him.
I lowered my head, this whole conversation only served to let us even more depressed.
- From now on we need to be honest with our feelings - I offered my hand to Tamaki, who held it tightly.
We'd face this challenge, together.
Shoto P.O.V.
- What did you say?!
I was already used to my father's screams, putting up with his attacks and punches had become a habit with time, especially now that I was older and the training to be the new leader of clan number two made me stronger.
But he was very violent today, even for his standards.
I managed to stand up even after being punched twice in the face, he usually stopped after that, after seeing the blood seep out of the corner of my mouth. But it was different this time, he kept going, continued to hit me as if I were a bag of meat, and the blood gushed and gushed, until I felt nothing.
- Father, please!
I heard Fuyumi's voice pleading for me. It was all she could do since she came back to live with us. My father didn't want her to study, but Fuyumi was very determined and convinced him that a good education could help her to achieve a good marriage in the future. Now that her studies were over she stayed with us all day, quietly witnessing what was going on around her.
Fuyumi helped me to open my eyes, but I couldn't see much because of the blood. My head was spinning but I could still see her kind and worried face staring at me. Her white hair with a few crimson strands falling over my face as she helped me up.
- Shoto didn't mean it - Fuyumi said - I'm sure he's just confused.
- Confused or not the deal cannot be broken - Endeavor replied.
That was his title. I didn't call him father, not since he started training me, well, if his screams and kicks could be called training. He wanted to encourage me to be number one, but he only managed to arouse anger and resentment. He brought out the worst of me, of my mother, of my dead brother...
- It wasn't a mistake - I spit the blood that accumulated in my mouth in his boots - I want to undo the deal, I don't want to get married!
Endeavor came towards me again, but this time Fuyumi stood in front of me. The flames that arose in his hand stopped, he wouldn't hurt his only daughter, not when he could use it her to make another marriage agreement with a wealthy family, and for that he needed it her to look perfect.
- Shoto - Fuyumi looked at me. She was wearing a heavy red dress with gold threads - Why are you saying that? I thought you liked the girl...
- It doesn't matter - Endeavor intruded again - the agreement was signed years ago and needs to be fulfilled!
- But not originally for me, I'm just a replacement.
I hated his voice, the flames he made apparent in his beard in a demonstration of power. I wanted him to explode, to disappear of our lives...
- Shoto - Endeavor looked directly at me, ignoring Fuyumi completely - the clan number five is the only one with a female heiress, you are the only one who carries your mother's and my skills in harmony...
"Harmony", I almost smiled when I heard that word. Harmony was the last thing in that house since my brother started to get sick with his own skill.
- Only you can ensure the continuity of our clan with talented heirs, otherwise all that - he pointed at the ceiling over our heads, at the huge house we were living in completely distress - will end, do you understand?
Talented heirs... He spoke as if he had tried with other women beyond my mother, which I had suspected for some time. But unfortunately we were his better creation, or at least I was.
I knew exactly what he wanted, to drag my fiancée into this house and control our steps, our lives, force her to have children and test how our skills would match in our future child.
I didn't want it that kind of life for someone else, I could take it on my own, but I didn't want this life for her.
I was dizzy for a second and would have collapsed on the floor if Fuyumi hadn't held me. Damn it, I didn't want to smear her with my blood.
- Then let me choose another bride - I said.
I wasn't sure if my father heard it, so I repeated:
- Let me choose another one, please!
- Shoto... - I heard Fuyumi whisper.
She didn't know what I felt although she was the one who encouraged me to write to Emi so that we could get closer after Toya's passing. Fuyumi didn't know what I really felt, nobody sane did.
- There are other wealthy families in the Central Region - I continued - they may not officially belong to any clan, but they have useful skills, let me choose one, please.
I held my father's gaze as he considered my proposal. It wasn't a bad idea, of course we'd have to apologize to clan number five, but they would understand, Emi would have to understand, I would save her from a horrible and loveless fate.
- If you come first in this year's annual conference tournament - said Endeavor - only then will I think about it.
First in the tournament? How long haven't we been able to do that? Since Toya started getting sick, I think?
The annual conference was held every year at the capital by clan number one and there was a tournament between the heirs and apprentices of each clan on the pretext of teaching the new generation, but of course everything for my father was a way of measuring power. Even after so many years clan number one didn't have an heir, so Endeavor would use that as a pretext to take control of the entire region. He wanted me to come first to show how much superior he was.
But now I couldn't refuse.
- First place guarantees me a new deal - I said.
My father grunted something then turned and left the room, only then I collapse completely on the floor. Fuyumi remained close to me and called for a servant for help.
Natsuo wasn't here, he was the best when we needed to take care of injuries but he was far away now, the best decision he has ever made.
All Fuyumi was able to do was wipe the blood and press my wounds, but none of that mattered, other than the scar on the left side of my face now I was with red and swollen bruises on the other side. I would have to take care of them until the day of the conference as I couldn't appear in front of the other clans that way, because no one knew what we had to endure in this house.
- Are you sure what you're doing? - Fuyumi asked when I managed to get up alone - I thought you and Emi could work.
- I don't like her - I couldn't face Fuyumi, so I pushed her away - I'm going to see mom.
I crossed the courtyard towards a smaller residence that was also part of our home, one of the few places where my father's entrance was not allowed.
My mother spent the afternoons sitting in front of the window, looking at the garden of blue flowers that was near her residence. I knocked on her door a few times, but I didn't wait for an answer since she almost never said anything.
Fuyumi was the one who came here the most and Natsuo used to visit her when he was in town. I went in carefully so as not to make any loud noises, my mother was at the window as usual, so I was careful not to sit too close to her, always hiding the left side of my face.
I took a deep breath before start talking.
- How are you, mother? - I said.
No reaction. If she looked at me and saw my injuries I don't think she would show any reaction either, no, she would be frightened, just as she was frightened by my left side.
- I think you're the only one who knows how I feel - I continued. My mother had her back to me, she always had her back to me, always wearing blue dresses that reminded her of home, so I never knew if she was really listening - you know about Emi, don't you?
She tilted her face slightly to the right, for a moment I thought she had reacted to Emi's name, but she was just looking at the petals flying due to the wind.
- I saw her for the first time when she came to visit Toya, at that time I didn't understand what an engagement was, or a wedding, only that they seemed happy when they were together...
I tried to remember the exact moment of that memory, but I couldn't, I think it was still very young.
- After he got sick she stopped coming and I started to miss her, I liked her in secret, in silence, Toya couldn't even imagine...
I tried to smile, but I felt a twinge on the right side of my face, where my father had hit me the most.
- I started writing to her after what happened, do you remember? Not that I had any hopes... I just wish she didn't feel alone.
A servant opened the door, an old lady who worked in the kitchen, but I gestured for her to leave. I wanted to be alone with my mother a little bit longer.
- I keep writing letters to her but I don't think she feels anything for me, it's obvious that she answers me only because it's her duty.
I couldn't hold back that feeling of fear and despair that was growing more and more in my chest so I started to cry, I let the tears fall all at once as I couldn't do it anywhere else in the house.
- I love her! I love her, but she is still in mourning and I shouldn't be angry about it... I mean, I don't think I am...
The flower petals began to fly into the house, some landed right in front of me.
- I want to make her happy, but she won't be happy with me... - I sighed, saying that out loud hurt me a lot - She loves Toya and not me, so I can't drag her into this family to have an unhappy future by my side.
I looked at my mom again, she hadn't moved. I know she looked like Fuyumi. I had some memories of her gentle smile when she was still able to look at me when I was still a child.
- I'm sorry for bringing you more sadness - I said - but I don't think I can talk about it with anyone else, nor will anyone understand.
The old lady came back once again, it was time for me to leave so my mother could rest. This time I didn't protest and left before it caused any problems for her. That lady was the only one who could take care of my mother, as she probably reminded her of my grandmother who also used to live with us before Endeavor kicked her out from our home which only made my mother's health worse even more.
That man could ruin everyone's life around him, but I wouldn't let him do that to Emi.
I left my mother's residence and returned to the patio, feeling the icy breeze on my face. I had a plan to chase Emi away forever, and I needed to put it into practice during the conference, it would be for her own good.
