AN: Here's the next chapter! Hope everyone had a good holiday!

I don't own anything but the idea! Please don't put my work on other places without consent!

They held onto their son for dear life as they listened to the echoing screams of Inko's neighbors. They didn't want to know what was going on and didn't want to look. Mitsuki refused to lift her head as the only sight that would greet her would be seeing Inko's pale and lifeless body in a pool of her own blood. She cursed that bastard. She knew Inko's ex-husband wasn't a good man and she now would live the regret of not pushing her best friend to dump him sooner. The only good thing that came from that bastard was precious Izuku. And now that bastard had killed Inko, hurt her boy, and taken Izuku. For now she'd brush Katsuki's hair away from his face. He'd be alright. Her little firecracker would survive.

"Hello?! Any survivors?!"

"Here!" Masaru called.

Mitsuki hadn't known how much time had passed. She must have…fallen asleep or something. She couldn't remember when the screaming had stopped and she couldn't be more thankful that they had been left relatively unharmed. Katsuki was still passed out in his arms and a definite bruise appeared on his temple.

"Are you all okay?"

"My…son. Please."

"Don't worry ma'am. It doesn't look serious, but let's get you all to the hospital to make sure."

.

.

The beeping was fucking annoying and whoever the hell was holding his hand could fuck right off. He would have blasted them off, but knowing his parents, they'd yell at him. Katsuki opened his eyes to see his mother holding his hand tightly while his father stayed by her side holding her other one. Both of them looked like they had been crying. The hell?

"The fuck hag." Katsuki said, pulling his hand away.

"Oh Katsuki." Mitsuki said as she enveloped him in a hug.

"Get off!"

"Son."

Katsuki's eyes snapped toward his father. The man's brown eyes bore into his red. His father looked so serious despite the redness and Katsuki could see the silent plea not to start. He turned toward his mother who had yet to let him go as he noticed the small tears from her eyes. As soon as Katsuki started to question what happened it came back hitting him like a ton of bricks. They had gone to that shitty Deku's birthday party and they were attacked by some man. That man killed Deku's mom and kidnapped…

"Where's Deku?!" Katsuki asked, pushing away from his mom.

"Honey." Mitsuki said as she cradled his cheek in her hand to get him to look at her. Tears welled up again and she went from a few slipping out to full out crying. "Izuku's gone."

"No!" Katsuki denied as he shoved her away and shook his head. He then started screaming different things neither of his parents could quite make out.

"I got him." Mitsuki said. "Why don't you find a doctor and let them know he's awake?"

Masaru nodded, "Mitsuki."

"I know."

With that unspoken conversation said he left the two alone. She could handle their son. She wouldn't do anything rash. Her and Katsuki might be clones of one another which meant in times like this, she knew what she needed to say to him. What she was internally saying to herself.

"Deku's not gone! A hero has to go save him!" Katsuki continued.

"Katsuki." Mitsuki said in a stern voice. Hearing his mother's tone, Katsuki clammed up. She only used that tone when she was serious and demanded his attention without the bratty behavior. Red eyes peered up at her and Mitsuki softly smiled at the small tears gathering in Katsuki's eyes. She wished a hero would come knock on their door and tell them they brought Izuku home where he'd be safe under her roof too. "Izuku is gone, but that doesn't mean you bitch about it. You're a Bakugou so you fucking do something about it. You want to be a hero than wise your ass up and help him. That's what they do. That's what Izuku did. Help everyone and anyone they can. Kats, Inko's gone so Izuku is gonna need all the help he can get once he's safe. He's stubborn like you and I know he's not gonna let that bastard completely walk all over him. We just got to push on and keep patient, okay?"

Katsuki didn't say anything as his eyes burned into hers and nodded. He understood. The moment between them was interrupted by the doctor coming in.

Katsuki was in the hospital for three days. The first day and a half was for observation because of a concussion. She joked her brat was hard-headed and he was. Little shit got up on day two and said he was going to go look for Izuku. She smiled that her son was taking what she said and running with it. The rest of the time was because they wanted them to see a psychiatrist. They claimed her son was delusional that a child had been taken from the scene and they needed to not feed into his imagination after a traumatic event. This friend of his wasn't real or maybe even alive and was giving him false hope to hold onto. They wanted to keep him for proper monitoring. She knew what they fucking meant, they thought her baby was crazy. She said fuck that and checked him out.

Mitsuki and Masaru weren't blind to what happened. They might not have seen everything that happened in the area as they were untouched in Inko's apartment, but they could horridly imagine based on the roars and screams that filled the night. Along with the glimpses as they left the scene. It was awful. It wasn't a miracle they were alive. It was all thanks to Izuku.

"I-if I come w-with you, you won't hurt them."

Their family needed to heal and they did sign up for individual and family therapy. The sessions actually helped not only with the event, but within their own home. Their family grew together as Masaru spoke out more about his wife's and son's attitudes and talked to them more about what bothered them instead of bottling up. He started scolding his son, explaining why, and what else he could have done instead. Katsuki had left everything behind only thinking about how he was going to be a hero and bring Izuku home. Although the foul mouth he inherited from her didn't fade, the egotistical arrogant brat did. Mostly. The first time she saw her son help someone in the store grab something from a high shelf and say 'you're welcome' she almost had a heart attack and actually asked what he did to her son. He only said 'it's what Izuku would do.'

Her and Katsuki bonded over the fact they wouldn't give up on trying to find Izuku. However, after she spent the night in jail for harassment she had to tone it down or risk the careers of her family. Katsuki took that as a sign and only became more strategic about it. He never went to the same one twice in a certain amount of time and often left notes at the pro hero agencies about a case they should investigate. Unfortunately no one cared about the boy who supposedly died that night. And even if they believed he could be alive, the discriminatory pigs wouldn't lift a damn finger to help after seeing Izuku was labeled quirkless. Katsuki kept telling them Izuku wasn't quirkless anymore and he had to keep him hands to himself at the comments. Stop lying. Then he wouldn't be dead. Then he could have saved himself.

As long as Katsuki was careful she'd support him and she hoped that one day he would bring Izuku home. Or at least give them a sign he was at peace. If anyone could do it, it would be Katsuki, and until then she could turn a blind eye at his more reckless choices for the sake of his friend. So yes, she was well aware that Katsuki had broken into the condemned building and taken Izuku's things. She never said anything to him, but she knew that he probably knew she did. Izuku would want his things back that would connect him to home. Mitsuki learned to accept she couldn't change the fact that what happened did in fact happen, but she could live with the life Izuku gave them and promise Inko she'd find her son.

Katsuki came home after a couple days of starting UA with a little more fire to his step than normal. He also seemed to stay after quite a bit telling her he was talking to teachers about something important. Initially she believed it was because he was finally reaching his goal in being a hero which was another step closer in finding Izuku. After the USJ attacked, both parents were concerned when he said he'd be home late with no explanation which eventually turned into staying at a friend's house the next day. At least he reassured them he was uninjured. She pried for information because this was the first time she'd even heard of a friend and he always just walked out with barely saying anything. He said to back off that his friend had been shaken up about what happened to him and he was going to be there no matter what they said. Mitsuki's heart soared thinking Katsuki was letting people in. Said friend came up a little while later when he said he'd be late again that he and 'friend' were walking to his house and then studying until his guardian got home. She offered for them to come there, but he only responded with a quick no that he wasn't allowed. Mitsuki said okay and let it go, but she wished she hadn't. As she mindlessly flipped through channels, to watch something as she started dinner, her heart stopped. The plaza downtown had been attacked and currently engulfed in flames. Right in the middle was Katsuki, struggling to breathe in vile sludge.

She screamed at the television for a hero to save her son and Masaru held back before she could rush out of the house. He made a good point that by the time she got there it'd be over and they should wait. A hero did save her son. She just didn't expect him to have familiar green curly hair. Both of them dropped to their knees when they saw a boy who liked an older Izuku appear from nowhere and save their boy. Going to her cell she called and texted her son who didn't answer. He'd have to come home sometime and she wasn't taking any other reason than being hospitalized or dead as an excuse. If he tried then that's where and what he was going to be when she was done with him. If he fought her then she was just going to track his phone.

Masaru and her discussed what they should do when she heard the door open. Her heart skipped a beat. Thankfully Katsuki was okay after calling the school who said her son was alright and was instructed to explain when he got home and they'd be releasing a statement tomorrow. She marched right out and met her son who she looked directly in the eyes.

"Bakugou Katsuki. Explain yourself right this fucking minute." She said in a dead serious tone. Her own matching red eyes met his and it looked like she had been crying and looked like she was going to tear up again. "D-did I see Izuku?"

Katsuki's face dropped and Mitsuki knew that look all too well. That was the signature 'oh fuck' Bakugou look they had when they were trying to hide something and got caught. Katsuki sneaking into places he shouldn't as a kid taught her well. Fenced off woods that were supposedly villain bases...uh huh, sure. His eyes looked everywhere but at her and if he was going to make a break for it she wasn't afraid to throw the spoon at him and make it hurt.

"The fuck you on? No." Katsuki snorted.

"Don't fucking lie to me Katsuki." Mitsuki growled. She was shaking. She was nervous, angry, and wanted him to say something damn it! Say what she wanted to hear!

"I'm not supposed to say damn it!" Katsuki shouted.

"So it was!" Mitsuki yelled back. Her heart jolted and swelled with joy. She couldn't believe. He looked okay, but was he? That was Izuku, was he okay?

"I'm not getting kicked out of school because of your nosey ass hag!"

"Kicked out?!"

"Alright you two." Masaru's voice cut through. "Son, we saw the news. There is no point in keeping a secret. Please, we deserve to know the truth and if it comes down to it, we will talk with the school if they threaten to expel you."

Katsuki looked at his parents whose eyes pleaded with his own. His Dad was right and was generally the calmer and less rash of the three of them. He deserved to know back then and so did his parents now. They were also there that night and Katsuki wasn't sure about telling them because he wasn't sure how'd they react. He was beginning to think they had given up and only supported him because he's their son and didn't want to piss him off which would end creating distance. He was glad to know that they didn't give up and were just as happy to know Izuku was still alive.

"Katsuki, we love Izuku and just want to know. Was he found? Is he safe? Will he be okay?"

"Yeah." Katsuki nodded and his parents grabbed onto one another as they started to tear up. "They found him and he better be alright, especially if I have anything to do about it."

For the first time in a while Katsuki showed a rare emotion toward his parents. He was grateful, but if anyone says otherwise he didn't fucking smile and cry with those old people. He told them the truth and made fun of them then they couldn't hold it back and sobbed like children.

Izuku woke up the next morning laying on top of his covers. The sun peeked through the curtains and Izuku looked to the clock to see it was a little before seven which was when his alarm was set to go off. Thinking back to last night his face grew red. He really hoped he didn't bother…Shouta. He had another nightmare last time which was the worst one he had so far. This time included someone he actually cared about. He just needed to remember that it might not seem like it right now, but Shouta said it'd all be okay. Taking a deep breath the smell of what might be breakfast permeated his nose before a slam startled him and voices echoed. Quickly he got dressed to find out who had busted in so early in the morning before school.

"Bakugou, I don't appreciate you barging in here at seven in the morning. Also Izuku might still be asleep. He had a rough night last night so I don't want to wake him just yet." Shouta said as he was putting rice in a bowl for him and Izuku only.

"Well too fucking bad. We've got a bigger problem than you opening the door like a moron." Bakugou snapped. "My fucking nags found out!"

"Nags?"

"My mother and father! They saw the news yesterday and recognized him! What was I supposed to say?!"

Aizawa sighed. It was inevitable that Bakugou's parents would find out. He just didn't expect it to be this soon. They had been there that night he was taken and eventually they might grow suspicious of who their son hangs out with all the time. It might lead to some seriously misconceptions. Like Bakugou, who was close to Izuku, his parents had, to some degree, the right to know the boy they witnessed getting kidnapped was no longer in fact kidnapped. They should know that he was alive.

"And?" Shouta pressed.

"I told them the truth and they'd have to fucking wait. I said Izuku isn't quite mentally ready for that kind of shit, but was safe and doing better. I told them I only know because of you being my teacher and we talked. Despite the hag losing her shit, she said fine and as soon as Izuku is ready they want to see him." Bakugou explained.

"Alright." Shouta sighed. That was doable. "I don't need another mother hen at my door."

"You can thank my old man for that." Bakugou said before realizing what he said. His eyes twitched. "Shut up!"

"Your parents still want to see me?"

Shouta and Bakugou turned to see Izuku standing in the entryway dressed in his school uniform except for his shoes and blazer. His eyes looked expectantly with a glimmer of hope. After the panic attack with the tie Shouta tossed it and said Izuku didn't have to wear it. This sweet child however, grabbed it and said he'd keep it for right now in case he wanted to try again. Bakugou recalled that look in his eyes. It was the same one he got when they met the first time at the hospital.

"Yes you nerd. They're alive and aren't mad." Bakugou sighed as he pulled out his phone.

Izuku let out a small smile and said, "That's good. I want to see them too, just not right now."

"Alright." Bakugou said, raising his phone and Izuku heard the shutter of a camera go off.

"Kacchan!"

"What?! They want to see you and I'm gonna delete it later. She ain't gonna show anybody."

Shouta rolled his eyes. Children. However, he did smile that no one saw. That was something new and welcomed. Izuku said 'no'. Well, not using that exact word, but close enough. If this had been before he would have gone along with it because it would make Bakugou's parents happy. This was an improvement and even though Izuku might not see it like that, last night was an improvement as well. Shouta made a vow to himself to make this seem like home to Izuku. The kid deserved that much and he didn't need his awful schedule influencing him. He already cut his patrols down to none explaining he had another pro hero obligation that needed his full attention. He could also cook simple meals even he could manage and learned as they went. Not to mention if he broke Izuku's meal plan Recovery Girl would bash in his shins with her cane.

"See." Kacchan said showing him the group chat he had with his parents.

Katsuki sent a photo.

Katsuki: Here's your fucking proof.

Old Hag: Aw! 3 He's so handsome! Tell him I love him and can't wait to see him! He looks so much like his mom!

Katsuki: The fuck hag? You don't tell me you love me?

Old Hag: Not when you bark all the time!

Katsuki: Fuck you too. Also delete it.

Old Hag: Fine. Only to keep him safe! When he's safe I want all the pictures and hugs!

Katsuki: Do you love him more than me? Your own flesh and blood?

Old Hag: That's the problem. He's not mine.

Katsuki: ┌П┐(►˛◄'!)

Old Man: Tell Izuku hello and I'm glad to see he's looking well.

Katsuki: Whatever.

Izuku giggled. That's so like Kacchan and his parents. Also that must be Kacchan's favorite gesture. He was glad to see they haven't changed much and seeing their responses made it easier to eventually take that step and see them again. Not yet though. So many people were around him now and every day he knew he was only going to continue seeing those he had yet to meet when he was nervous about those he already associated with. He wanted to do ones that could be helped on his own terms.

"And that's fine. You tell us when you're ready." Shouta said, walking up to him and patting him on the shoulder.

"I will." Izuku nodded before his nose twitched. "Is something burning?"

"Shit!"

"Midoriya! Bakugou! Are you two alright?!" Kirishima said the moment they entered. Almost everyone in the class spared a few came running up toward them with concerns written all over their faces.

"Yes we saw the news coverage! We are glad to see you are both unharmed. Ribbit." Asui said.

"You weren't hurt were you?"

"Yeah how did you guys escape?!"

"Was it your quirk Midoriya? We still don't know what it is! Come on, tell us!"

Everyone crowded around them all asking the same questions. Were they alright? What happened? Could they talk about what happened? Like Shouta said, all it said was that two students were attacked on the way home and were within their right to defend themselves as victims and as UA students they acted appropriately. They will not release their names and any kind of retaliation or investigation about the matter will not be tolerated and dealt with swiftly by the power of UA. The people weren't stupid and knew that meant the principal. A voice coughed gathering their attention.

"The real question is, can you talk about it?" Iida asked, silencing everyone.

"What do you mean, Iida?" Uraraka asked.

"I mean, in no way to pry, but was that villain after you Midoriya?" Iida asked.

"Oh no…"

"I didn't think of that!"

Izuku didn't think about it either. The villain didn't recognize him so it was a safe bet that no, the sludge villain wasn't working for his father.

"No." Izuku said, shaking his head. "I don't think the villain attack was related to my case. Please don't worry! We'll be okay and please don't mention me to anyone! Anything regarding my involvement still counts and I'd hate to see you get in trouble!"

Shouta drilled the non-disclosure agreement into his head. No one was allowed to say anything about his existence in the class as Izuku Midoriya, the kid under witness protection. He was Izuku Midoriya, a possible transfer student studying under Eraserhead. Kacchan didn't get in trouble because he was stuck in an impossible situation, his parents saw him, and knew Izuku before he was kidnapped. Hell, they were there. It was only a matter of time when they would be told the truth. It just happened not how they planned.

"That's a relief to hear." Iida said. "I would hate to see anything happen."

"Thank you Iida." Izuku smiled.

Before Shouta arrived Izuku talked to everyone about all the recommendations he'd gotten. Some of the music wasn't his cup of tea, but he really enjoyed looking at the summaries of the books referred to him. He might take them up on their offers to borrow them! He didn't get a chance to try any of the games Shouta had gotten, but he said maybe they could play together one day. Most of the boys jumped for joy thinking it was an awesome idea. A couple of girls only pouted they got him to themselves, but Izuku said maybe they could find something to do together once he was allowed out a little more. They said they'd talk more after lunch, but Izuku unfortunately broke the news he might not be back after lunch which disheartened them.

Everything regarding his recovery was still pretty fresh and he hadn't heard anything regarding whether or not his father or…Tomura…Shigaraki were planning something to recapture him. It was inevitable. They would one day come and Izuku lived the fearful suspense of not knowing when that would be. He knew too much, but neither one, well at least his father, wasn't stupid enough to try anything even if he knew Izuku was being held up at a hero academy. Especially one where All Might taught. He also was starting the new phase of his recovery and Izuku walked out of Hound Dog's office later exhausted, but feeling more relieved than anything.

His first therapy session had gone better than expected. The pro was so cool and was really relaxed about everything. What normally seemed like a rough outside pro persona was nothing to the calm inside counselor persona. He also gave him various breathing exercises to try whenever he thought he was going to panic. Not that Izuku wanted to experience the panic again, but it would be nice to know he could perhaps calm himself and not burden those around him. They never talked about Izuku's statement and got to know each other for part of it. He actually gave him some homework to think about.

What does he want? It can be about anything. Schooling. Life. Career. Goals. Desires. What was something he wanted for himself?

He didn't need an answer now, but it would definitely be a question Izuku would eventually need answers for. It also didn't have to be one thing, it could be multiple. Hound Dog said it was to help with gaining more autonomy. Izuku nodded and promised to think about it. Before they ended Izuku did talk about his nightmare the previous night and how Shouta had been a great help. Hound Dog smiled as Izuku brightened up when talking about the pro hero who had taken him in.

'Oh, do you like staying with Eraserhead?'

Izuku really did. When they got back to the apartment yesterday they did end up doing whatever they wanted. They ordered in and watched movies until the news came on. They conversed back and forth about the attacks that were reported on, except theirs, and Izuku even showed him more of his notes including his latest ones that included a couple students. Speaking of students, Izuku got to see the quirk roster for Class 1A. He asked about 1B, but Shouta said he'd have to talk to Vlad King about that. Just by looking at the quirk names he jittered with excitement to know about them and Shouta mentioned he might have something in store for Izuku, if he was up to it, since he would be out of his session before heroics. Izuku raced down the hall to find out excitedly.

"Oh sorry!" Izuku said almost running into someone. He honestly didn't see them until it was almost too late.

"Oh that's alright!" Izuku was looking down at…a chimera that had some stoat, rat, dog, and bear properties. The rat portion of his DNA might be where his quirk originates from since one theory is that's where they could have come from. But, that's all theory. "That's a very insightful analysis!" Oh, he really needed to get that filter in check. "But more importantly I'm the principal!"

Izuku's eyes widened before he bowed. "Oh! I'm sorry sir! I hope I wasn't rude or anything by making an assumption, almost running into you, and not recognizing you right away. Also, thank you very much for allowing me to come here for the time being. I know that being a top school UA has–"

"Now now, none of that Mr. Midoriya. I'm so glad to get to meet you! Upon hearing about your situation it's only natural we help you. As a hero school it would be against our very foundation to turn away someone in need. I'm also guessing Mr. Aizawa hasn't had a chance to speak with you."

Izuku was confused. "About what sir?"

"Enrolling permanently of course!" Nezu said, raising a paw with a bright smile.

Izuku flailed as he tried to connect to that thought. "I can't do that! There probably isn't any space and I couldn't possibly take the spot of–"

"Mr. Midoriya." Nezu said and Izuku stopped before meeting his eyes. A serious look shined in those beady eyes. "I've looked over everything you've done before and since your arrival here. I've seen the pretest Aizawa gave you as well as those lovely notebooks! I wouldn't joke about such an offer. You need an education and UA can cater to your needs and is already fully aware of your situation. It's only natural and logical this is where you'd stay. Now, in a couple weeks once you've become acclimated I'd like to test you like an entrance exam as more of a formality and whether you stay in Aizawa's homeroom is up to you."

"I don't understand."

"Your journey has only just begun Mr. Midoriya, much like the other first years. I know what you've gone through better than anyone here and will always extend an ear to listen if you shall ever need it. You feel like the old you has died and what's left is wandering around looking for something to fill that gaping hole. Do not worry. While that first step of starting something new may seem impossible, it is the hardest one. However, after that, the choices you make it creates a chain reaction which can lead to something marvelous. Whether you intend for the choice to be made for yourself or others is entirely up to you. It's about making connections and branching out. Those connections are what makes hero society and even heroes need help whether they think they need it or not. Whether you step on the path of becoming a hero or just being a student is only a small choice you can make. You will step forward. Revival is a natural part of evolution whether you're me, you, or the people you've recently surrounded yourself with. Just make sure you're satisfied with who that person is. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir. Thank you." Izuku said bowing again. He didn't want the principal of UA to see him cry. Shouta mentioned meeting the principal later because in his words 'he's long winded with no sense of time, especially if there's tea', but Izuku much liked hearing him talk. He was wise and had a different perspective than anyone else. Like everyone else he talked to here at UA so far he'd take what he said and use it. He might actually take him up on the offer to just talk if that was allowed.

Izuku had a lot of choices and he wasn't sure about any of them. Some of the choices he knew he'd have to make weren't even asked for yet, but he knew. This must have been what Hound Dog was alluding to. Would he like to stay at UA? More than anything! UA was his dream school, but…UA was for heroes. Did he want to be a hero? He still didn't know. That was the most pressing question everyone kept asking him. He'd know when he knew himself. Also what about the choices he makes that affect others? He first thought about Kacchan and Shinsou. Would he do the same for his new classmates? He liked to think he would if the opportunity was needed.

"Now, run along. Aizawa is probably looking for you. We'll have to set up a time to talk more!" Nezu said as he walked off with a gleam in his eyes.

Izuku smiled and then hurried along.

Izuku couldn't believe it when Shouta told him that he'd get to see their training and talk to them! As they waited for the rest of them to arrive, Shouta gave him side eyes. Since he wasn't participating he didn't need his gym uniform and he took off his blazer. He really didn't want to explain if it got ruined. He was already getting weird looks for not wearing a tie, but at least his shirt was button up, except one. Kacchan kept undoing it saying that he looked like prick with it up all the way. Izuku just relented by the fifth time.

"I understand that the class is getting antsy about knowing your quirk."

"Yeah." Izuku sighed.

"It's up to you whether or not you show them. It's not quite like someone in 1B and you might be able to help more than you think. Plus even if they know they're legally bound to keep their mouths shut." Shouta said, walking away toward the students who were coming in. Yeah, he was enjoying that a little too much as he smirked. "As you can see Midoriya has joined us today for training. This is simply a training day for the Sports Festival so there isn't much to be concerned about. Midoriya is very adept at quirk analysis so I've instructed him to talk to each of you at some point today so you can bounce off ideas to make the most out of yourselves in the upcoming Sports Festival. Please give him your cooperation and use this time as a learning opportunity. Also let him approach you. Now get to training and don't take your time together to slack off"

Izuku didn't want to give Shouta a side glare. He already learned what quirks everyone had by looking at the class roster and their basic function. He just didn't know the how part. Were their quirks a mental thought and/or because of a biological function? That's what he needed to know to be able to replicate them. This wasn't just about learning new quirks for him to use to maybe even protect himself, Shouta wanted him to socialize with other people besides Kacchan who Shouta told him not to bother today. Yeah, neither of them were happy about that decision. Izuku knew that it made sense though. Kacchan was…a guard dog to put it kindly. If anyone from the class got too rough or invasive Kacchan would be there and essentially bark and without Izuku holding him back, probably bite. Oh well, he already knew about Kacchan's quirk anyway.

"Hi Shinsou." Izuku said as he walked to the one person he knew. Start off comfortably then move on.

"Aw! Midoriya started with him!" Mina whined across the gym before waving largely at him. "Come to me next, okay?!"

"Hitoshi." Hitoshi ignored her with a small smirk. He was simply working on his close combat and looked like later doing some weight training to continue building muscle. Izuku noted that Shinsou would be his go to work out buddy as they were both at the awkward phase of needing to gain muscle.

"Huh?"

"Call me Hitoshi. You saved my life, I think that gives at least the privilege to use my given name."

"Oh. Gotcha. Then please, call me Izuku. Seems to be what everyone else has been calling me lately not in the class." Izuku sighed as he sat down and got out his notebook.

"Something wrong with that?" Hitoshi asked, sitting down next to him.

"No! At least I don't think so. My mom was always Ms. Midoriya. I wasn't referred to as Midoriya much so it kind of feels odd to me. I don't mind though! We better get started before Shouta yells. So I saw your quirk is brainwashing?" Izuku said, flipping to the page he started for Shin…Hitoshi that night after they officially met.

"Yes. I used it on you the first day. I can tell you how it fully works later if you want. It's not practical in say a disaster and people tend to stray away, but–"

"It's so useful for a heroic quirk and calmed me down right away before anything worse happened! In a disaster you could use it to keep people calm or even end confrontations instantly! Please don't sell yourself short!" Izuku chattered.

Hitoshi smiled to himself silently thanking him for the kind words, but something else bothered him about the statement so he asked, "Isn't that what you shouldn't be doing?"

Izuku squeaked. "What?"

"We might not have gotten a chance to talk much, but Hizashi tells me stuff Aizawa says. He says you have all the makings to be a great hero, but the only thing holding you back is yourself."

Izuku got quiet as he looked in his lap and gripped his pant leg. "I just…every time I think it's possible I can't help thinking about the people I let down."

"Trust me. You haven't let down anyone. I think you should think about the people you saved. You saved Bakugou, Aizawa, and me. And probably a lot of other people in ways you don't know yet. I bet you've got some admirers in class. If anyone here isn't saving people and giving a damn about you, it's Todoroki."

"Todoroki?"

Izuku looked at Todoroki. The son of the number two hero. The only person in class Izuku has never interacted with. Izuku never wanted to approach him as he looked like he wouldn't be interested. On the first day, Todoroki didn't even introduce himself. The others called him rude, but Izuku didn't mind. Not everyone was going to be welcoming to him. He did catch the boy's eyes on him a couple times, but Izuku passed that off as curiosity. His mix-matched eyes were narrowed, straight, lost, and ice cold. It sent shivers down his spine. Something was wrong. Admittedly Endeavour wasn't Izuku's favorite anything. He respected him as the number two hero and was able to do his job, but he scared him. He was a large man and very intimidating. He couldn't imagine having a father like that…he could though. The moments his father graced him with his presence he made sure to let him know his place and accept that fact wasn't changing. He hated him and not just for killing his mom.

Izuku looked down at his hands. Todoroki's quirk. From Aizawa's notes on the class roster, his quirk was called Half-Cold Half-Hot. He produced ice from right and fire from his left. Aizawa also noted he didn't use the fire aspect of his quirk and would eventually bring it up to the boy if it didn't change around the time of midterms. Izuku thought back on his notes on Endeavor, the man's main weakness was that he overheated, much like anyone with fire related quirks. Same with ice quirks, the body gets too cold and can only take so much before shutting down. Kacchan always preached about knowing one's own power and limitations. But having both quirks would…

"You were my attempt at a masterpiece, Izuku. A quirk that would one day rip everything from this world."

Izuku sucked in a breath at this realization. Once the doctor had finally figured out his quirk and exactly what it did his father was furious. The anger wasn't all directed at him, but he mentioned maybe he shouldn't have been arrogant and attempted it with one child. Izuku knew then what his father wanted with his quirk for himself. He wanted a quirk that could steal others without having to touch people. His mother's quirk, a form of small object attraction, and the idea that quirks could be considered a small object would be a dangerous combination. Izuku was sort of glad Derivative ended up as it did. Izuku still wanted to know all the ins and outs of his quirk. He didn't want to think what would have happened if his father got the quirk he actually wanted. It was a scary thought. Did…Endeavor do the same thing?

From what Izuku could see he couldn't manipulate it, only create it as Todoroki created pillars of ice that splintered from the floor. They went in all directions and would skewer anything in its path. Izuku felt his body temperature fluctuate. Did his body work like a gauge that fluxed between the two? Todoroki's quirk works on conscious effort of either side of his body and how he wants to use it.

"Izuku?" Hitoshi said, breaking the green haired boy out of his thoughts.

Izuku gasped looking down at his hands. A small flame laid in his left while his right had a layer of frost. "Sorry!"

"Dude. Did you just learn how to use his quirk?"

"I think so." Izuku said, turning it off. He didn't want to risk setting something on fire.

"That's pretty awesome. Maybe you can get Mr. Ice to use his fire. I'm tired of hearing about it at home. 'He's not living up to potential yo.'"

Izuku snorted. That sounded like Present Mic almost to a T. Wait a minute!

"Hey Shinsou. How good are you at impressions or maybe even telling jokes? I bet if you could mimic someone's voice naturally instead of using a modulator that'd come in handy for when you're unable to use it like during the Sports Festival."

Hitoshi smirked and shook his head. "Here you are saving my butt again. Seriously dude stop with this 'you're not enough' crap."

"I'll think about it! Just makes me glad I was able to help!" Izuku said as he got up. It was time to move on anyway from the look Aizawa was giving him. This was social time, just not with people he already knew.

Izuku set his sights on the far side of the gym where it was the coldest. He needed to talk to him. Principal Nezu said his choices affected others. The principal understood some of what he'd gone through and was better because someone was able to extend just the thought of being understood and being able to see reason. Izuku thought maybe he could do that with Todoroki. He might be the one person who could understand him. Maybe he won't save him from a villain, but from something Izuku knew all too well could be much worse. A villain was still currently fighting and probably will be for the rest of his life. Yourself.

"Um, Todoroki?" Izuku said.

"What?" Todoroki asked coldly, turning to face him.

Izuku flinched back a little at the coldness of his tone and temperature dropping.

"Oh. Well Mr. Aizawa said I needed to talk to everyone today and I figure maybe you'd like to be next. We don't talk in class together so I figure this might be a good time to get to know one another." Izuku rambled.

Todoroki's eyes narrowed.

"Look. I don't need your help or care about what you've been told to do. Stay out of my way."

"We're all just doing our best right now and I'm sure you know if you use your–"

Todoroki saw red a moment as he snapped around at the smaller boy and snarled, "I won't use it. I refuse to use my left side. And I don't need someone who doesn't understand looking for pity to tell me what I should and shouldn't do."

He wouldn't listen to this…nobody. Just some charity case that UA brought on. He understood that Midoriya was once held captive by villains, but he should try living with one his entire life. The boy must have had it rough during that time, but to Todoroki he looked like a weak child who needed coddling. So far that was proven to be correct as Bakugou was on the boy's heels like a mutt asking for a treat. He would surpass his old man and every hero without using his…

A blast of fire flew past the left side of his face. He barely felt the flame's heat but this was his old man's quirk being used and it sure as hell wasn't him. Todoroki's eyes widened as he pivoted around to see Izuku with his hand straight out. His left hand had flames that vanished as smoke seeped off his arm that had burnt his shirt sleeve to a crisp.

"Is this me using his quirk Todoroki?" Izuku snarled. Izuku kept his wince to himself. That was a lot hotter than he thought and his body was still adjusting to being able to use his quirk with minimum drawbacks. Instantly he switched to the right as a layer of ice crept out from his right foot covering the area. "Is this me using your mom's quirk?"

Todoroki growled. How dare this nobody lecture him about his family? He knew nothing about what he's gone through and what that man's put him through. He didn't know how his mother suffered. Despite being watched over by Mr. Aizawa and Bakugou, he was punching this kid without remorse. Sticking his nose where it didn't belong.

"You might think I don't understand, but I understand better than anyone else. Your father made you like mine made me."

Todoroki's foot fell silent as his words sank in. His father made him too? He didn't tell anyone anything about his family so he shouldn't know that would be true unless it was true for him. Who was his father? Was he a hero too and was that the reason he'd been captured? How could he be using their quirks? Midoriya never disclosed his quirk to anyone except what was seen on the news, but that looked like some kind of teleporting quirk. As his thoughts continued to think about this boy his ice seeped out coating the entire area around them.

"You–"

"My father's a villain and he wanted to use me for my quirk! He killed my mom because she was no longer useful to him! I was born just like you were for a sick game of power and desires! I used to hate my quirk. I thought it was the pain of my problems. It's not. I've come to see that my quirk is what I make of it and I want to use it to help others. Whether that's as a hero or not I've yet to decide, but how can I look at you trying to be a hero and not use your full power?! I don't know what you've gone through, but this kind of action is going to get people killed because you won't use your quirk!"

Izuku lifted his hand and another fire blast erupted out his hand and melted the ice around his feet. He was angry right then. Todoroki had no right to talk to him that way as a human being, a civilian, or even a person he one day might have to save. Heroes don't talk like that. They give it their all, PLUS ULTRA, because saving people is what's important. One day he's going to slip up and people are going to die. Izuku's lip trembled because all his self-doubt and worries were slamming back into him. He tried to be the best hero and people still died. Some people survived though and were living. Izuku guessed that at ten years old, how he was supposed to know any better?

"A quirk is what you make of it, regardless of your history. You decide how you use it."

"You are not a prisoner of your lineage. It's okay. Become who you want to be."

"I don't wanna be someone who hurts people!"

"No! It's me copying your quirk factor! Not his! Yours! Me using my quirk to do this makes this my quirk and no one else's! Do you know what that means? It's your quirk, not his!" Izuku screamed. Izuku then shook out his hands. He was letting his emotion control him and it was causing Todoroki's quirk, his quirk to lose control. His fingers burned from the heat and burned frozen to the touch. He lost feeling in them. He had never lost control like this.

Todoroki gasped as his own left side ignited. Flames engulfed the entire area. Izuku felt the air get pulled from his lungs as he looked at Todoroki as he was almost smiling while looking at both his hands as both sides of his quirk were activated. However, both their eyes widened sensing the issue. Too late to drop any quirks the ice around the area melted before exploding outward destroying the area around it.

AN: As you might guess, Izuku will not be participating in the Sports Festival, but he still needed to get through to Todoroki which he does days before since there is a training montage so just happens at school. However, I don't think they intended to get that heated and just need to chill...I'll see myself out. See you next chapter!