AN: Thanks for reading and all of the reviews!

Izuku was sitting at his desk, making notes from the villain attack he witnessed on the way to school. Normally if he just kept his head down and kept to himself he could avoid drawing Katsuki's ire.

However, today was not a normal day.

Izuku was so focused he didn't notice the other student's approach until a hand slammed on his desk along with an explosion for emphasis, startling him as his pencil jammed into the page.

At least he didn't fall out of his chair this time.

"Hey nerd, the Old Hag told me your family is taking care of some girl now."

"Y-yes, we are. We found a girl who was being abused and we took her in," Izuku explained softly, refusing to look up at his childhood friend.

"She was being abused huh? I bet that makes you feel good about yourself, doesn't it?" Izuku swallowed the lump in his throat as Katsuki continued. "Does it make you feel like a hero?"

You're my hero!

Hearing Himiko's words as they echoed in Izuku's mind, he dared to look up. "I- yes, it does."

Katsuki's face morphed into a scowl. "When will you get it through that thick head of yours? No matter what you do, you'll never be a hero like All Might." He jabbed a thumb into his chest. "When will you realize you should just give up already and leave the heroics to me."

"I-"

Izuku tried to come up with a retort, but Katsuki set off an explosion on his left side, causing him to lose his balance and fall out of his chair.

"See, nerd? You don't even have the reflexes to handle that! What would happen if a villain was actually trying to hurt you? Just give up already before you hurt yourself."

With a heavy sigh, Izuku pulled himself up and sat back down. Fortunately, he was saved from any further comments as the door to the classroom swung open and the teacher entered the room. However, the damage was already done.

For the rest of the homeroom period, he had to deal with the dueling voices of Himiko and Katsuki in his head. One tries to assure him that he's a hero, and the other adamantly tells him otherwise.

You'll never be a hero like All Might.

Izuku had thought that after all these years he had acclimated to Katsuki's abuse, but today proved him wrong. Maybe it felt different because Katsuki had gotten Himiko involved?

It hurt, thinking about his face and expression. Every day Himiko reminded him that he and his mom had metaphorically, if not literally, saved her life.

If that didn't make him a hero, what did?

He was so caught up in his head he never realized Himiko had entered his room and sat down on his bed until she got tired of waiting and groaned. Sitting upright, he turned his chair to see an exasperated Himiko sitting on his bed.

"H-hey Himiko. Do you need something?"

"What happened today?"

Izuku turned back to his desk and looked down at the unfinished homework, in an attempt to pretend that everything was ok. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"In case you forgot, I know a thing or two about using masks to hide your feelings," Himiko didn't even attempt to hide her annoyance. "You're not ok."

"It's nothing," Izuku sighed. "Just Kacchan being Kacchan."

"It's not nothing if it's bothering you this much," Himiko frowned. Why was he being such a dummy about this?

"Please Himiko, I just-" Izuku picked up his pencil and tried to focus on his homework. "-I don't want to talk about it. I'll be ok, I promise."

"Hmph." Himiko frowned at his back before she stood up and left.

As she returned to her room to work on homework, she couldn't help but wonder what Izuku would do if the situation were reversed.

As they were eating dinner, Himiko felt a heavy weight in her stomach. She knew what she had to do, but it was hard. She didn't know how Izuku made this seem so easy.

It didn't take long for Inko to notice something was wrong. She tried to give Himiko time and space, hoping that the girl would eventually speak her mind, but to no avail. Eventually, she decided to ask directly. "Himiko is-"

"I think Izuku's being bullied at school," Himiko blurted out.

A heavy silence filled the air as Inko and Izuku both looked at Himiko, whose permanent blush was spreading to turn her face a deep crimson. Finally, Inko spoke again.

"What makes you say that?"

"I went to talk to him when I got home," Himiko gave Izuku a guilty look. "And he was just sitting at his desk feeling down. It reminded me of me." She took a deep breath to try and calm her racing heart. "When I asked him about it, he said it was 'just Kacchan being Kacchan.'"

When she was done she looked down at her food, having lost her appetite entirely. Inko, meanwhile, slowly turned toward her son.

"Izu, is it true?"

As he looked at his mom's face, Izuku felt his defenses crumble, the years of excuses he's made for himself evaporating. He slumped his shoulders and looked down at his lap. "Y-yeah. Kacchan reminded me that I'll never be a hero. Not the way he will be. Not the way All Might is."

Himiko gasped and looked at Izuku, but stayed silent as Inko studied her son's face.

"This isn't new, is it?"

Izuku picked up his chopsticks and pushed the food around on his plate. "No."

"H-how long? How long has he been doing this?"

"Since we were 7," Izuku whispered, but in the silence of the room, it may as well have been a shout. "The day we went exploring the forest."

Inko shuddered as she felt the tears rolling down her cheeks. Pushing herself up, she crossed the table and pulled Izuku into a hug, her tears falling into his messy hair. "I'm sorry Izuku. I'm so sorry- I should have noticed-"

"It's not your fault," Izuku admitted as he slowly pushed his chair back. "I've had a lot of practice hiding it."

"Why?"

"Because Kacchan was right. I'm already a burden because I'm q-quirkless and you're still good friends with Mitsuki and I-I-"

"Stop," Himiko slammed her hand on the table. "Just Stop." She shoved her chair back and stood. "Wh-when I saw you at the hospital I thought you were basically a cripple," She swallowed, her throat suddenly feeling tight. "Because that's what my parents taught me. But you're not! You- you saved me. If that doesn't make you a hero, then what does!?"

Fighting back tears, Himiko ran off to her room, slamming the door behind her. Suddenly alone, Inko looked her son in the eye.

"You've never been a burden because you're quirkless. If I ever made you feel that way I'm sorry," She rubbed her eyes on her shirt sleeve. "And if you ever felt that way, it's my fault, not yours!"

Rubbing his own eyes, Izuku leaned into his mom and began crying, admitting to everything over the past six years. He explained how, ever since their forest adventure, Katsuki had gone on and on about how he would beat up villains and save everyone, just like All Might does. And how Izuku would never be strong enough to do the same, and he should accept his place in the world. A nobody, destined to live in the background. Someone to be saved, not someone who can save others.

Even though Izuku felt drained after confessing to his mom, he knew he wasn't done yet. As he stood in front of the door to Himiko's room, he found himself unable to work up the courage to knock.

She was right to do what she did, and he owed her an apology.

As he approached the door, he could hear sobbing coming from inside. Feeling a mixture of guilt and concern, he opened the door, only to see Himiko curled up in her bed, wrapped around her latest stuffed animal - a sky-blue bird. She immediately stilled and looked up at him, and he could see the tear tracks running down her face, ruining the little makeup she had begun wearing.

"Himi-"

"Do you hate me?"

Izuku felt his heart break at those words. He must have shown it on his face since he saw Himiko immediately bite down on her lip, blood welling up where her fangs pierced the skin. He forced himself to smile and shook his head. "Can I sit down?"

Wordlessly, Himiko scooted to one side of her bed, still clutching her stuffed animal to her chest. When she stopped, Izuku sat down next to her. Carefully, he placed his hand on top of hers and felt his lips twitching upward as she began lacing her fingers between his.

"Kacchan he- he has a very narrow view of heroics. He thinks it's all about fighting and beating up bad guys," Izuku looked away from the girl lying on the bed. "He likes reminding the whole school that he's the only one whose quirk is strong enough to match that vision."

"Do you believe him?"

Izuku sighed. "Everyone else does."

"Izu-" Himiko let go of her stuffed animal and pushed herself up. "You're the one who showed me that there's more than one type of hero. Were- were you lying to me?"

"Wha-" Izuku spun around to face her. "-no!"

"Then why don't you believe it yourself?"

Izuku hung his head. "I- it's hard, being surrounded by that attitude. Especially with my… status."

He felt Himiko wrap herself around him, her head pressed against his shoulder. "I guess I need to throw those lessons back in your face then, don't I?" He felt her body shake as she giggled. "Give you a taste of your own medicine!"

"I- yeah…" Izuku sighed. "Mom's on the phone with Mitsuki now, and she's going to call the school tomorrow. I don't know if there's much she can do…"

"Izu," Himiko gripped his arms tightly. "You deserve better. Because you're a hero - no matter what Kacchan says."

You're my hero.

Izuku smiled and reached out with his hand to touch Himiko's. "Thanks. For… everything."

Himiko smiled and leaned into Izuku. "We promised to stick together, after all."

Izuku woke up in confusion, wondering why he wasn't in his bed. As he pushed himself up he remembered: He and Himiko decided that after the evening they had, they should have a sleepover party, and dragged out the futon to the middle of the living room. Looking over, he saw the blonde-haired girl splayed out, taking up three-quarters of the futon by herself.

Smiling, he nudged her leg with his foot. "Himiko, it's time to get up."

"Go away," The girl complained.

"Sorry, but you've got to get to school."

"Don't remind me," Himiko began pushing herself upright and pushed all of her hair back, trying to get the messy strands under control before giving up with a dramatic sigh before she turned toward Izuku. "Are we ok?"

Izuku smiled and nodded. "Yeah, we are."

"Good!" Himiko opened her arms asking for a hug, and Izuku complied, crawling over and hugging the girl. "I hope that idiot Kacchan doesn't give you much trouble today."

Izuku sighed. "I hope so."

The two separated and worked together to put away the futon, before returning to their respective rooms to get ready for the school day.

As Izuku approached Aldera, he felt a weight in his stomach as he saw Kacchan waiting on the path, his arms folded. Swallowing the lump in his throat he put his head down and tried to keep going, hoping he wouldn't be noticed, but Bakugo held out his arm and stopped him.

"Stop right there Deku."

"W-what do you want Kacchan?

"Last night Inko called the Old Hag, and my mom kicked my ass for going too far yesterday," He let out a loud sigh. "Even if it's not heroic, it's-" He looked like he was straining to get the words out. "-good that you're helping this Himiko girl. Even if it doesn't change anything, you did the right thing," He turned away from Izuku. "Don't let it get to your head, or else."

Katsuki walked into the school, leaving a very confused Izuku in his wake.

Izuku spent the homeroom period on high alert, waiting for the other shoe to drop. For Kacchan to suddenly explode and remind him of his place in the world, or demonstrate why he isn't cut out to be a hero.

But nothing happened.

The day went on as normal, until halfway through the final period of the day, when the classroom speaker crackled to life and told Izuku to report to the teacher's lounge.

Izuku immediately felt all of his classmates' eyes on him, and even heard a few snickers. Gathering his things, he quickly left the classroom, trying to ignore the annoyed glare of his teacher. Once outside, he ran down to the teacher's lounge, where his homeroom teacher was waiting for him, along with someone he recognized as a different homeroom teacher.

"Mr. Midoriya, have you been having issues with your classmates?" His homeroom teacher asked pointedly.

Izuku swallowed the lump in his throat - he knows how much the school is trying to push Katsuki as their star pupil, and how many people agree with his views of heroics. "N-no, sir."

"We've had a complaint from your mother earlier today, about the tension between yourself and Mr. Bakugo. While you don't help matters by antagonizing Mr. Bakugo, after the incident yesterday she requested that we separate you two. We were initially against the idea, but she insisted."

I wonder if she threatened them with UA's lawyers. Izuku wondered.

"Because of that, you will be transferred to class 1-C starting tomorrow. Mr. Hosoi here will be your homeroom teacher," His teacher gestured to his companion. "Since it's merely a class change we assume your studies will be unaffected."

"No sir," Izuku bowed to the teachers. "I won't have any problems!"

"Excellent. That's all then, Mr. Midoriya. I expect you to clean out your desk at the end of the day."

With that his homeroom teacher left, leaving Izuku alone with Mr. Hosoi, who gave him a basic rundown of his classroom. It wasn't much different from how things were now, except that he wouldn't be sharing a class with Kacchan for the first time ever.

It would take some getting used to.

Even though he was reporting to a new classroom this morning, Izuku still found himself nervously scanning the hallways, on high alert to see if Bakugo had anything to say to him. He was so focused on his task that he almost let his feet carry him into his old classroom. Standing in front of the door awkwardly, he sighed and turned, walking to the adjacent classroom instead.

Opening the door he saw several familiar faces - people he had seen around the school, even if he'd never interacted with them. He was curious how they would respond to him. Ducking his head, he made his way to the teacher's desk and stood there awkwardly, waiting for his new teacher to introduce him.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long. Mr. Hosoi entered the room soon afterward and made his way to his desk, and the class sat silently waiting for his announcements. Clearing his throat, the teacher announced they would have a new student joining them, before gesturing to Izuku.

"I am Izuku Midoriya, formerly of class 1-D, pleased to make your acquaintance!" Izuku bowed to the class. When he lifted his head, he didn't see any glares or other signs that he had come to associate with Bakugo and his associates.

Izuku let out a soft sigh of relief as he straightened out, before Mr. Hosoi directed him to his new desk. Nodding, he silently crossed the room and sat down, giving a nervous smile to those around him before he unpacked his things.

Hopefully, my new classmates are nice.

Ever since Himiko's release from the hospital, Sekijiro Kan had been visiting the Midoriya household regularly to check up on everyone, as well as to keep them updated about the final case against Himiko. Even though the charges against her were dropped, Saito's family still wanted to sue her for assault, insisting that someone had to pay for what happened.

That evening when Inko opened the door and saw a grim-faced Kan staring down at her, she felt her stomach drop.

"Kan, come in."

"Thank you, Mrs. Midoriya," Kan bowed before entering the apartment.

"Is everything ok?"

Kan sighed as he removed his shoes. "There's been progress in little Himiko's case. It's best if we sit down before we discuss it."

Inko silently nodded and led him to the living room, while Himiko and Izuku were already sitting on the couch. She offered a sympathetic look to the girl as she crossed the room to prepare tea. When she returned, the children sat there silently while Kan opened a briefcase and removed a stack of paperwork.

As Inko set the tray down, Himiko finally worked up the courage to speak. "W-what's going on?"

"I have some good news and some bad news regarding the suit against you," Kan said with a heavy sigh. "The good news first - we have finally convinced the family to drop the suit against you."

"That sounds like great news!" Izuku said hopefully.

"It would be, except for the conditions they stipulated," Kan sighed heavily and held a paper out to Himiko.

"W-what're those?" Himiko asked nervously.

"A summons to the court," Kan scowled. "Saito's family wants punishment, and only agreed to drop the suit if we provided them with evidence of the Togas' actions leading to Himiko's breakdown, so that they could sue the Togas directly for their role in the incident." He sighed heavily as he turned toward the girl in question. "This includes your direct testimony during the case."

Himiko's knuckles turned white as she gripped the paper tightly. "I- I'll need to see them again…"

"And you will be forced to answer the same uncomfortable questions one final time," Kan said before bowing his head. "I'm sorry little Himiko. We tried everything, but they were firm on their demands."

Himiko could feel the tears stinging her eyes as she stared at the paper in shock. "I-I-"

"It'll be ok," Inko reached out and began to gently stroke Himiko's hair. "They may be there, but they won't be able to hurt you. I'll be there with you, and so will Mr. Kan," She turned toward the hero. "Won't you?"

"Of course," Kan said. "As the primary hero of the investigation, it would be best if I delivered the testimony in person."

"I-" Himiko closed her eyes and felt Inko's hands in her hair.

I can do it. They can't hurt me anymore.

Because Mama Inko won't let them.

Opening her eyes, Himiko took a shuddering breath as she placed the paper down on the table. "I'll do it. I'll- I'll show the Togas who I really am!"

She saw Vlad give her a toothy smile. "You're very brave, little Himiko. I assure you, this will be your last trial, and then you'll finally be free."

Himiko felt the warmth envelope her as she leaned into Inko, feeling like she would collapse without her support. "I hope so."

Izuku sat on the couch, watching the news while waiting for his mom and Himiko to return home. While he was in school, they had taken a train into Tokyo for the case against the Togas - the case Himiko had to be a witness for.

Despite her insistence otherwise, Himiko was a mess the night before, agitated and nervous. Izuku couldn't help but worry about her. He couldn't even imagine what she was going through. It's been almost two months and she's been making incredible progress, but she was suddenly going to be forced to confront those who abused her for years and forced to relive those moments in a courtroom.

He stood up when he saw the door open and gasped at what he saw. Himiko was walking in mechanically, her head down and her arms wrapped around herself, numbly following Inko's guidance. Inko meanwhile, had an intense fire in her eyes.

"We're home Himi-chan. Your real home."

Himiko nodded and robotically took off her shoes before she made her way into the living room. Izuku intercepted her and pulled her into a hug, and she practically collapsed into him. As he held her he could feel her shaking.

"What happened?"

"The Togas are the real monsters," Inko said flatly as she took off her shoes. "I can't believe the things they said- Himiko's their daughter!"

"I- They made me say everything!" Himiko wailed. "How I was feeling, how good it felt, then- then- they told the judge that everything they did was for my own good! Like- like they were doing everyone a favor!"

"Himi-" Izuku gently stroked the girl's back as he guided her to the couch and eased her down.

"I'm not a monster," Himiko repeated as she sat down, sounding like she was desperate to convince herself. She looked down at her hands, opening and closing them into fists as she repeated her mantra. "My quirk isn't bad. It's just a part of me."

"If that's how they treated her, it's no wonder she did what she did," Inko said with a sad sigh as she entered the living room. "She's such a strong girl to have held out as long as she did."

"I'm sorry," Izuku said helplessly. "I should have been there."

"It's better that you weren't," Inko said, pulling Izuku into a hug. "You wouldn't have liked what you heard."

"Is there anything I can do?" Izuku asked.

"I'm not in the mood to cook. Can you run to the market and get duck blood soup for dinner? I'll-" Inko released her son and looked at the girl on the couch. "-call the therapist and see if there's anything we can do."

Several hours later, Inko and Izuku were on the couch, watching as the credits began to play for the movie. Himiko had fallen asleep almost half an hour ago, her head resting on Inko's lap as she carded her fingers through the girl's hair.

Silently, Izuku picked up the remote and turned off the television before looking at his mom. "I'm glad she's feeling better."

"Me too," Inko looked down at the girl. "She deserved better than that."

"But it's over now, right?"

"Mhm," Inko sighed. "No more court cases, no more Togas, nothing."

"How did Vlad King handle it?"

"He wished they would've done something so that he could arrest them. He didn't even hide his anger at their quirkism."

"Mmm," Izuku looked at the girl. "Is there anything else we can do for her?"

Inko shook her head. "Not right now. We did everything we could. Now we just need to be there for her. To be the family she never had."

Izuku looked at the girl. "I never thought I'd have a sister."

Inko chuckled lightly. "Oh Izu, I didn't mean literally!" She paused thoughtfully. "I'd say you're doing a good job though."

Izuku smiled up at his mom, before looking down at the girl, making a silent promise to her.

Himiko, I'll try and be the best brother I can be!