AN: Thanks for all the interest and reviews!

rotting-CORPSE - Somebody gets my reference!

heartfanglives - don't worry, Torino will have his time to boot people in the head soon.

DestructionDragon360 - I'm glad you liked the beach not-a-date!

SwordOfTheGods - The poor kids get enough teasing from their friends already. I just wanted to give them a nice day where they didn't have to worry about their friends.

Chaoscontrol85 - Glad you're enjoying the story! As for the commonalities between my two long fics - that was intentional as I wanted to create parallels highlighting 'a world where nobody knew what Himiko could have become,' vs 'a world where Izuku and Ochako knew exactly what Himiko was capable of, barring their intervention.' As for Emily - she is a common OC that is going to keep showing up whenever I rehabilitate Himiko in my stories.

"Are you ready Himi?" Inko asked for what is likely the hundredth time that morning.

Himiko looked at Inko and couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, I really want to see 'Fumi."

"As long as you're sure it won't, you know."

Of course Himiko knew. She would be lying if she wasn't scared that seeing her sister would bring up ten years worth of bad memories. However, her therapist had told her that she was getting stronger. Thanks to the woman whom she couldn't help but see as her mom, and the boy she couldn't help but see as her brother.

"As long as you and Izu are there, I'll be ok!" Himiko replied as she looked at Inko, the woman who, in a mere five months, had done more for her than her biological parents did for fifteen long years.

"Well then, let's go reunite you with your sister."

A few minutes later, the three of them left their apartment and were on the way to Tatooin Station, where they would take a train into Tokyo. There, they would visit the Ayako residence, where Hifumi is currently being fostered by Miho and Tsuru Ayako.

Walking through Mustafu, Himiko couldn't help but notice how nervous Inko was. Reaching out, she grabbed her hand.

"If I didn't know better, I would think you're the one who is reconnecting with your sister," she lightly joked.

"I know, I can't help it," Inko admitted as she looked between Himiko and Izuku. "I just keep thinking about what your birth parents put you through and…"

"And 'Fumi was the one good thing about my old life," Himiko finished the sentence. "I want her back in my life - I miss her. Not that you and Izu aren't wonderful and all, but-"

"But she is your sister," Inko finished. "I know how that feels, if only I…" She rubbed her eyes to wipe away the building tears.

"Did I do something wrong?"

"No honey, you didn't," Inko assured her as she took out one of the cloth handkerchiefs Toshinori had given her to clear her eyes, "just thinking about old regrets."

Himiko went quiet after that, wondering what Inko could possibly regret. But if she ever found a way to help, she would do everything she could to do so.

For now, she simply held Inko's hand as they walked, the two drawing strength and comfort from each other until they reached the train station. Separating from each other, they bought tickets and boarded the train.

Once they settled in, Himiko and Izuku pulled out their phones and both texted their friends. It was obvious Izuku was messaging Ochako given the look on his face, and Himiko texted Emily. Truth be told, she didn't expect the American girl to be as chatty as she was. While some things about her were annoying to no end, such as her stubbornness, she selfishly enjoyed having one friend she could call her own. She loved the rest of her friends, but those were all shared with Izuku and Ochako.

As they approached the Ayako residence, Himiko felt herself filled with doubt and hesitation. Was this really a good idea? Would she be ok? She wasn't the helpless girl who was constantly locked in her bedroom and kept in a constant state of near-starvation anymore, but those dark thoughts still haunted her to this day. Was facing someone who would be a reminder of those days really the best idea?

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that Inko had already rang the doorbell and was greeted by a middle-aged woman with long brown hair tied off in a ponytail, wearing a casual t-shirt and pair of jeans. For some reason, the image shocked her out of her stupor, and she looked further inside.

There, peeking out from behind the woman, was a 13-year-old girl, her long ash-blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail similar to the woman in front of her, accented by a red string accessory. She was dressed in a white t-shirt and black shorts and appeared to be just as hesitant as Himiko felt.

She was once again forcefully shoved into her bedroom, her parents calling her a monster.

"Why can't you just be normal?"

"Only monsters drink blood. It doesn't matter if it was just a bird."

"Why won't you just listen to us? We're trying to help you."

Behind them, staring helplessly, was the same little girl, her hands gripping a book tightly as she was forced to stand and watch.

"Himi…"

"Himi?"

Himiko suddenly felt herself pulled back to reality with Inko's hands on her shoulder.

"Himi? Are you ok?" Inko asked, concern evident on her face. "You were breathing heavily and your eyes lost focus."

Himiko took several deep lungfuls of air to calm herself before nodding. "Y-yeah. I'm ok."

That me is dead.
I am normal.
My quirk is not a curse.
Drinking blood doesn't make me a monster - just a person with a blood-based quirk.

Himiko mentally recited a litany of reminders just like her therapist had told her to before she looked past Inko at the girl again. She stood there, seemingly frozen as well.

"Fumi," Himiko finally said in a shaky voice, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Himi," Hifumi Toga finally said, pushing past the woman taking care of her and cautiously approaching her sister, "I wouldn't blame you. Not after what mom and dad did to-"

"They aren't my mom and dad, not anymore," Himiko declared, looking at Inko. "Mama Inko has been a better parent to me than they ever were."

Hifumi looked like she wanted to say something but simply nodded in understanding. She couldn't argue after all. Mr. and Mrs. Toga always treated her like an actual daughter instead of some monster forced upon them.

"Why don't we all go inside and let the two talk?" Mrs. Ayako asked, stepping aside and gesturing towards the entryway.

"That sounds good," Inko agreed as she gently led Himiko, refusing to let go of her arm for fear of other bad memories resurfacing.

Once they were inside, Mrs. Ayako led everyone to the living room, where Hifumi sat down on one end of the couch. Himiko walked to the other end of the couch and gently put her hand on Inko's, silently telling her that she would be ok. With a nod Inko let her go, and Himiko settled on the couch, while Izuku found a desk in the corner of the room and settled in, trying to give the sisters a semblance of privacy.

"Mrs. Midoriya, would you like some tea?" Mrs. Ayako asked.

"Yes, that sounds wonderful," Inko agreed. With one final glance at Himiko to make sure everything was ok, she left the three alone in the living room.

"Himi…" Hifumi started.

Himiko felt herself moving, quickly sliding down the couch and pulling her sister into a deep hug. "Fumi…"

They just sat there for several minutes, Himiko filled with happy memories of her sister. Even if they were tinged with the darkness of what she suffered through, Hifumi was always the bright spot in her life, sneaking in books, quietly adding music and games to her phone and computer without her parents noticing, and trying to make her life a little more bearable.

Even if she never saw her birth parents again, she never realized how much she missed having her sister in her life until now.

Eventually, they two broke apart as Himiko gave her sister a fanged smile.

"Your fangs," Hifumi pointed out, "you aren't hiding them anymore?"

"Nope!" Himiko proudly declared. "Mama Inko told me they make me look cute, and I shouldn't hide them."

"I agree. You look- Himi, you look absolutely radiant. I barely recognized you compared to the pale, sickly sister I remember."

"You know why, right?" Himiko asked darkly.

"Of course," Hifumi whispered. "When they told me that you've been starved and abused- Himi I- I wish I knew. I could have tried to help you more."

"Fumi, it's ok," Himiko reassured her sister. "I… I got the help I needed and it's the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't think anything you could have done would have been enough."

"Still, I could have made it easier on you…"

"You're just a little girl, and you know how the Togas are. If you did anything more, you would have been hurt too. I- don't think I would have liked what could have happened if you were hurt because you tried to help me."

"But you're my sister! Himi-"

Himiko suddenly barked out a loud laugh. "Oh Fumi, if I didn't know better I'd say you had been taking lessons from Izu."

The two girls turned and looked at Izuku across the room, who looked up from his phone, his face bright red from the sudden attention. "I don't know what you mean…" He laughed nervously.

Himiko grabbed her sister's hands again. "Fumi, I want you to know that what you did was enough. You helped keep me sane long enough to get the help I really needed. You're the best sister I could have ever asked for."

"What about him?" Hifumi asked as she cautiously gestured towards Izuku.

"That's the best part!" Himiko grinned. "I can have you as the best sister, and Izu can be the best brother!"

That got Hifumi to laugh. "I wish I got to know this version of you sooner, though."

"Well, it's time for you to meet her."

They spent the next two hours catching up, learning what the other had been doing for the past five months. Hifumi hung onto every word, eyes wide as Himiko described the challenges that she had to deal with following her breakdown. Her smile grew larger, however, as Himiko described her recovery, training, and the first semester at her new school - and her new family, of course.

"I'm so happy for you," Hifumi said with a content sigh. "I always treasured the bright moments of seeing my sister happy, and now seeing you like this…"

"What have you been up to? I know that had to be hard, seeing the police come to the house and arrest the Togas…"

"The next few weeks were rough," Hifumi agreed. "I had to stay at a Hero Agency and they were nice, but… it wasn't exactly a place for a teenage girl."

"Fumi, I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." Hifumi shook her head. "You did what you had to do, and the heroes tried their hardest. Then one day the Ayakos came to visit me."

"How are they? As parents, I mean."

"They are wonderful. Miho is super smart and always teaches me new things about quirks!"

"Shhh! Don't tell Izu," Himiko protested playfully.

Hifumi giggled. "But she helped me understand what you went through. And Tsu-Tsu was so patient with me. The way she says it, helping me deal with… well everything was nothing compared to having to keep her co-workers in line."

"It sounds like you found a good family as well."

"They are!" Hifumi agreed. "I never realized what I was missing out on! They let me pick out my own clothes, and Tsu-Tsu actually fought with me when I tried to buy the same style of clothes mom and dad always bought for me," Hifumi giggled, "and they let me experiment to find my own interests! It's so exciting!"

"It is," Himiko agreed, satisfied with her sister's answer.

"Even still, I can't help but be jealous of you." Hifumi sighed, "They are wonderful, but seeing the way you talk about the Midoriyas, I can't help but wonder if something is missing."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the way you are talking and acting, it's as if you're already part of their family."

Himiko couldn't help but look over at Izuku, who was trying his hardest to ignore the conversation. She knew that even if she hadn't been officially adopted, she still considered him her younger brother in all but name at this point. She then returned her attention to her sister.

"Have they been treating you like you are their daughter?"

"Well, yes. They always are telling me that I'm the little girl they wish they could have had but never could because, well"—she twisted her hands nervously—"but I've never heard them talk about adoption or anything like that, so I'm still just Hifumi Toga, a foster child in their care."

"I haven't heard anything about being adopted either," Himiko admitted, "despite the way they treat me."

"Really? The way you talk, it's as if it's a foregone conclusion."

"Hopefully!" Himiko chirped. "But for right now, all I can do is trust that Mama Inko loves me as much as I love her and that someday she will actually adopt me." She took her sister's hand and stared into her eyes. "I know it can be hard, and you were hurt in different ways by my- by what happened to our birth parents. But there's nothing wrong with thinking of the Ayakos as your parents, and trusting that they love you as their daughter."

"Himi," Hifumi said, tears building at the corners of her eyes, "when did you get so smart?"

"I've had some good teachers," Himiko admitted as she opened her arms and Hifumi leaned into her.

"I may try that," Hifumi said as she settled into the arms of her sister.

Eventually, Himiko called Izuku over and introduced him. "This is Izuku, the boy who found me the night of the incident."

Hifumi stood up and gave a deep bow. "Then you're the one I need to thank for saving my sister. Thank you."

"It was nothing!" Izuku insisted, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "It's just what a hero does - save people."

"Remember how I told you he was a huge hero nerd on the phone?" Himiko asked.

"I remember," Hifumi giggled as she straightened up. "Still - seeing her like this, it makes me happy. I don't know how I could repay you."

"Actually…" Izuku said. "I can think of one way."

Himiko groaned loudly and dramatically, "Fumi, what have you done?!"

"What? What can be so bad?" Hifumi asked in confusion.

"I'd love to ask you about your quirk if that's ok?" Izuku asked as he began fishing around in his bag for his notebook.

"Sure!" Hifumi said. "I've actually learned a lot about it thanks to Miho."

Hifumi rushed out of the room and came back with a stack of homework and some blank printer paper. Objects in hand, she sat back down on the couch.

"In simplest terms, I copy data," Hifumi said as she touched the stack of homework, "and then I can replicate it perfectly if I have a similar medium to place it on." Hifumi then touched the stack of printer paper, and in a golden flash of light, a copy of the homework appeared on the paper.

"Wow, so you're like a human copying machine?"

"Essentially," Hifumi agreed, "but I'm not limited to sheets of paper. Books, CDs, even electronic data."

"She used to copy songs off of her computer and sneak them onto my laptop when I was locked up!" Himiko explained. "Since my parents were forced to let me have my laptop for school work."

"I see," Izuku said, busily scribbling in his notebook. "That actually explains a few things about Himi's quirk."

"My quirk?" Himiko asked in surprise.

"Yeah," Izuku looked at her, pointing his pen at her, "after all, what is shapeshifting but copying someone's appearance?"

And their quirk, Izuku mentally appended

"So you're saying Himi's quirk is similar to mine?"

"Yeah!" Izuku nodded fervently. "I mean, it's still a mutation within your family, but it's less strange than if, say, you had a fire-breathing quirk and Himi had Transform."

For some reason, Himiko felt a warmth in her chest as Izuku explained the similarities between their quirks.

"Promise me you won't make me wait five months before you call again," Hifumi pleaded with her sister.

"Oh, you don't know what you're in for," Himiko said with a laugh. "Sometimes my friends wish I would be quiet."

"Well, I'm sure I can keep up with you."

"We'll see," Himiko said, taking that as a challenge. "It may take a while for the bad memories to fade, but as long as they stay away, I want you in my life, Fumi."

"I'd like you to be in my life too, Himi."

"Why don't you three come out to Mustafu for Himiko's birthday in a couple of weeks?" Inko asked the Ayakos. "Since she hasn't had a proper birthday party yet, we want to celebrate her sixteenth birthday the right way."

"Can we?" Hifumi asked her foster parents excitedly.

"I will check our schedule, but I think we can arrange it," Tsuru Ayako said, before looking at Inko, "we'll let you know if that's ok?"

"Of course it is!"

They finished saying their goodbyes and Himiko shared one last tearful hug with her sister before they finally left.

On the train home, Himiko found herself leaning into a sleeping Inko, already texting Hifumi. She never knew how happy she would be, having her back in her life.

Several days later, Izuku and Ochako followed Toshinori's directions to Might Tower. As they made their way through Tokyo, they found themselves filled with excitement and dread.

It was finally time to save Eri from the Shie Hassaikai.

The receptionist looked confused when they approached, but when they showed them Toshinori's letter her eyes went wide and she guided them to the elevator. "The briefing is being held on the 35th floor."

"Thank you!" the two politely responded before entering the elevator.

As soon as they entered the elevator, Ochako descended into a fit of giggles. "I've never actually been to Might Tower, but I don't think they expected a pair of teenagers to ever have permission to leave the tourist areas like that."

"Me neither," Izuku admitted, "All Might always did our training at UA and never had a reason to bring me here."

"I'm surprised you didn't make up an excuse to come," Ochako said, faking a gasp.

Izuku rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I just never had a chance."

"Well, you're here now!"

"Y-yeah."

They rode up the rest of the way in silence until they stepped out of the elevator and followed the directions to the conference room. Carefully opening the door, they saw only a few heroes had arrived.

"Young Midoriya and Uraraka! Welcome to Might Tower!" The booming voice of Toshinori in his muscle form drew everyone's attention to them.

"Wait, there's kids here?" the voice of Emi Fukukado asked as she turned towards Shota. "What kind of operation is this?"

"These two are here under a special program," Nemuri smoothly said as she stepped up next to her fellow teacher. "They are getting to experience what it's like to be a hero ahead of their entry into a hero school next year."

"But participating in something as dangerous as a raid against the Yakuza?"

"Emi, you and I both know the Yakuza are a dying breed," Shota said flatly, "and will be no match for us. Especially not with All Might on the team." He said the last part with more than a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"But they can't use their quirks, can they? They're way too young to have licenses!"

"We don't intend for them to use their quirks," Nemuri explained, "instead, they will be sitting in a police command vehicle, watching as they coordinate the operation with the heroes."

"Still, something seems fishy." Emi leaned into Shota and began sniffing him dramatically. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this later, you know!"

"I'd like to see you try," Shota countered.

Nemuri simply laughed as she left the two to quarrel as she walked over to meet Izuku and Ochako. "I'm glad to see you made it, although are you sure you want to do this? While most of the people here are trustworthy, there's still a few heroes that we haven't fully screened."

"Yeah, we are," Izuku said and Ochako bobbed her head in agreement.

Without another word, Midnight took them to the back corner of the table and showed them where their seats were before she sat down next to them. Over the next few minutes, they saw the rest of the heroes filter in. From the original raid team, Mirai had assembled himself, Ryukyu, Eraserhead, and Rock Lock. However, after having conferred with Toshinori and Ryuko once they were given the details provided by Izuku and Ochako, they chose the remaining members from people suitable for fighting in underground catacombs: Ms. Joke, Midnight, and Snipe. Gran Torino also itched to kick people in the face after he was let in on the secrets about Izuku and Ochako.

And of course, All Might himself was joining the raid. With the number one hero present, even with his currently reduced strength, the yakuza's defeat, and Eri's rescue, were all but assured.

Once everyone was assembled and seated, Mirai took the podium as the lights dimmed, and an image of a familiar building appeared on the screen behind him.

"Thank you all for coming. As you know, I have spent the last six months tracking the movements of the Shie Hassaikai, a branch of the Yakuza who have been dealing in illicit substances, most notably the drug, Trigger."

He pushed a button on the remote, and an image of Kai Chisaki, villain name: Overhaul, appeared on the screen.

"However, of more pressing concern is the new young boss of the group. Chisaki is, as we have recently learned, a brilliant scientist who has rather twisted views."

"How twisted?" Rock Lock asked.

"He believes quirks are a disease," Mirai said as he adjusted his glasses, looking at the hero, "and he seeks to wipe them out."

"Wipe out quirks? Ha! I'd like to see him try," Snipe called out from his seat.

"Unfortunately, his current path of research would, eventually, allow him to succeed," Mirai said with a heavy voice.

"What? How!" Snipe stood up, slamming a hand onto the desk.

With a heavy sigh, Mirai pressed a button, and the next slide appeared, showing a photo of a 4-year-old girl with blue-tinged hair and bright red eyes.

"This girl, Eri. She is the granddaughter of the last boss of the Shie Hassaikai, and her quirk is an extremely powerful S-Class quirk called Rewind. With it, she can revert organic matter to an earlier state - and if used for too long, can cause something to disappear completely."

A heavy silence filled the room as Mirai looked at each hero individually. Several heroes already clenched their fists, and All Might barely restrained his anger. In the corner, he saw Izuku and Ochako surprisingly calm and collected. The fact that they knew what was coming helped with the shock.

"Chisaki has been attempting to weaponize her blood, in an attempt to create a serum that either temporarily disables or even destroys the quirk factor in somebody's body, rendering them quirkless."

"Weaponize… her blood?" Ms. Joke was the one standing now. "That's not funny! That would require more blood than a human body would be able to produce! Let alone that of a child!"

"This is where his quirk comes into play," Mirai calmly explained. "You see, Overhaul allows Chisaki to, with a touch, disassemble and reassemble matter. He has literally been draining Eri of her blood to the point of near death, then using his quirk to tear her apart and reassemble her to restore her blood."

"Are you kidding me!?" Ms. Joke demanded, the table shaking as she slammed her fists into it. "That- to do that to a child?!"

"Emi, we are going to rescue her," Aizawa assured her as he stood up, wrapping a hand around her arm to steady her.

"You're damn right we are!" Snipe said, standing up. "And we're going to rid Japan of this filth in the process."

Mirai simply stood there as the heroes got up and talked over the news. Unsurprisingly, the only people still sitting were Toshinori, Ryuko, and their guests from the future. He gave them a few minutes before he coughed pointedly, returning everyone to attention.

"Now then, if you would please be seated, we have a lot to discuss," He pressed a button on the remote, and the next screen showed profile photos of eight individuals, "while most of the organization is low-level thugs, there are eight individuals who are classified as extremely dangerous…"

As the briefing continued, Izuku and Ochako looked at each other, and their hands found each other underneath the table.

Even if they were forced to sit in the police vehicle and not take part in the raid, seeing the response of the heroes seated in the briefing, they knew, deep down, that Eri would be safe soon, and that Overhaul would no longer be a threat.

AN:

Later that evening, at the Aizawa-Fukukado residence, Emi paid back her promise.

"Sho, what's going on with this operation? Who are those kids? And why the suddenness and secrecy?" Emi asked her boyfriend, arms crossed as she glared at him.

Shota sighed. Of course, even when they weren't here, the kids found a way to cause him trouble. He knew that he wouldn't be able to lie to her, she knew his tells. So instead, he decided to do the next best thing: deflect.

"Emi, what do you think about us having a kid?"

"S-sho?!" Emi stepped back in surprise, her arms going to her mouth as her cheeks turned bright red. "Isn't this sudden? I mean we haven't even gotten married yet and we both agreed to keep things secret-"

"I'm not talking about pregnancy, Emi. I'm talking about that little girl, Eri."

"Eri?"

"Look, after everything she's been through, there's a good chance she doesn't know how to control her quirk. There's a good chance she doesn't even know what her quirk does." Shota admitted, his fist clenching in anger at his side. "And you heard how powerful it is. She needs someone to help her with that. And with Erase…"

"You think you're the one who should take care of her." Emi finished the sentence for him.

"Yes," Aizawa sighed as he looked at the floor, "I know it's sudden but there's a good chance I'll be asked even if I don't volunteer."

"Sho," Emi lowered her hands and and grabbed the hem of Shota's shirt, "if we can give the girl a home and family, I'll do it!"

"As long as you don't teach her all of your bad jokes."

"No chance! She's going to become the biggest jokester at her future school!"

Shota gave Emi the harshest glare he could muster, but that didn't stop her from laughing anyways.

Eri sank under the covers of her bed, curling up as tightly as she could. As much as she wanted the comfort of one of the stuffed animals on her bed, she knew they all came from him and were filled with bad thoughts.

Today was worse than usual. She heard them talking about how they were close to a breakthrough, so she was poked and cut even more than usual before that man tore her apart and put her back together. She couldn't even scream when it happened, just had to endure the pain.

She rubbed her arms, but the feeling of needles wouldn't go away. It never did. She was doomed to live this cursed existence of needles and pain, as punishment for what she did to her dad.

No matter how much she wanted it to happen, nobody was coming to save her.