Short chapter after a two month break, sorry! I'm just trying not to pressure myself (which'll just make it harder to write) But there's some original-plot nuggets at the end, so yay?
…(Unknown Time and Place)…
Blood stained her mouth and hands, smeared on her cheeks, nose, chin, and neck— and dripped from her elbows to the coated tips of her fingers.
The metallic taste tainted her tongue, clogging up her sense of smell from the inside. Or maybe she was just smelling the crimson scene she sat in the middle of.
A pair of bloodshot, and glowing red eyes stayed locked on her, expressing a fear she wasn't used to seeing in them.
"Hitomi…" He spoke slowly, as if trying to soothe a wild animal, and never once did his gaze stray from her.
Distantly, Hitomi felt hurt that he felt such an intense need to keep using his Quirk on her.
Her teacher moved cautiously, as he inched closer. He reached toward her neck, using extreme care to not touch her, as he removed the capture weapon twisted up under her chin. When he pulled it away, she saw the fabric stained in red as well.
As if the sight broke some kind of spell, Hitomi blinked, looking around at the carnage one last time, before the numbness washed away, and she truly saw it all for what it was.
A bloodbath.
Her breath hitched, tears rolling down her cheeks, disappearing into the blood covering the bottom half of her face.
"D-did I— I don't— Mr. Ai-izawa?"
When she looked desperately at him, she was again met with glowing red eyes.
Vomit soon joined the blood pooling on the floor.
…(Five Days Before the Raid)…
A giant rock wall was erected in Gym Gamma, with half the class making their way up at a time.
The accelerated speed at which Hitomi, Izuku, Eijirou, Ochako, and Tsuyu all climbed, was noticeable. It proved their work studies were largely impacting their improvement.
Once reaching the top of the ridiculously tall wall, Hitomi flopped onto her back, panting.
Her right hand stung something fierce.
"You can really tell who started their work studies, huh?" Kyoka pointed out from below.
It was easy to hear her friend, with how hard her blood was pumping. Hitomi's senses always did perform at their peak when her body was worked up.
"They picked up some tricks when they were away from here." Katsuki's voice followed, his tone gruff but considerably more tame than usual.
Sitting upright, Hitomi looked down at the blonde, just barely able to make out his face from the distance.
"The League might be involved with the mission. We don't even know if they are, though."
He was peering right back up at her.
"…To save someone, you would do anything, right? Even if you were terrified?"
Hitomi frowned, turning away. It was a moment of weakness when she told him about the League, knowing full well she was ordered not to divulge anything about the mission, let alone such a huge detail.
But Katsuki hadn't said anything. The only sign he had inside knowledge, was in the way he had mellowed about the whole work study thing. No longer did he rant about not being able to participate— instead throwing his all into the make-up program.
She couldn't deny the weight that had been lifted, though. Even if they both acted as if nothing happened, Hitomi was comforted.
She gazed down at her right palm, the bandages now roughed up, with faint redness seeping through.
The memory of Katsuki wrapping it, filled her with warmth.
…(Day of the Raid— 3:13 AM)…
The text came in the night, lighting up her phone screen with the foreboding message.
It was time.
Dressed in her pajama shorts and her father's old UA hoodie, Hitomi raced out of her room, heading downstairs.
When she passed a certain room, her stride faltered, leaving her standing in front of the door, conflicted.
By the time she made it to the common room, Izuku, Eijirou, Ochako, and Tsuyu were all there, holding their own phones.
"You got it too?" Eijirou asked, despite the answer being obvious.
Hitomi gave a single nod, brows furrowed. "Mm."
"This is it." Izuku said lowly, wearing a determined expression.
They would be gone by breakfast, gearing up and making the commute while the rest of the dorm awoke with the sun and got dressed for class, like any other day.
(But one blonde, who found a note taped to his door.
We'll be safe. I promise.
She didn't need to sign it for him to know who it was.
Katsuki folded the note, and tucked it away into the pocket inside his blazer. He went downstairs and ate breakfast, the food tasting like ash in his mouth.)
…(Day of the Raid— 8:00 AM)…
"As you know, Nighteye was able to use his Quirk on a Hassaikai member." The police chief spoke at large to the legion of officers and Heroes, all standing outside the police station nearest to the Hassaikai headquarters. "Through it, he saw underground facilities, and we believe them to be this Yakuza group's headquarters. We were also able to confirm that the girl we're trying to rescue is currently being held in one of the rooms there. Although we were unable to map out the entire layout of the underground hallways, we believe the man Sir Nighteye saw took the shortest route to our target. This is the best intel we have at the moment, concerning the Hassaikai's stronghold. It's the basis of this mission. Stay smart. These guys are dangerous, and we can expect them to bring their Quirks against us, full force."
After getting a nod from the chief, some men in suits started passing out files on the known Hassaikai members and their abilities.
Hitomi shifted, waiting for the Pros to finish up with the information.
"Hey, Hitomi?"
She looked to Eijirou. "Hm?"
He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, I was just wondering how you were feeling about all this."
Hitomi cocked her head. "What do you mean?"
"Your parents busted a lot of Yakuza, right?"
Hitomi blinked, catching on to what he was alluding to. She looked down at her (now healed) hand, transforming it into a clawed paw— something she once thought was impossible.
It seemed like she was still taking after her parents in a lot of ways.
"Yeah… hopefully I don't let them down."
Eijirou gave her a slap on the back, grinning. "Don't worry, you're gonna do great!"
Hitomi cracked a smile, taking a deep breath, and releasing it, along with her Quirk.
"Mmm, I'm getting nervous." Ochako spoke up next to them, shifting side-to-side.
"No joke. First detective work, and now we're cooperating with the police." Tsuyu put a finger to her mouth. "There's so much I don't know…"
Hado mimicked the green haired girl's pose. "Right? So official!"
"That's true." Ryukyu agreed, splitting from the Pros to stand with the students. "Schools don't always prepare you for investigations like this. It takes some time to adjust."
"She's right."
Hitomi jumped when Kesagiri Man chimed in, surprised he was listening in on the rookie-talk.
"All the Pros seem like they're pretty chill, huh?" Eijirou commented, then clenched his fists. "So brave!"
"Hey, I haven't seen Gran Torino around here this morning." Izuku pointed out, looking to Ryukyu. "Do you know where he is?"
The woman shook her head. "Sorry."
Hitomi's ears drooped. "I kinda get the feeling he doesn't like me."
Izuku's brows furrowed, and he opened his mouth. But a different voice replied.
"He doesn't like anyone."
Hitomi yelped, and whipped around to stare at the sudden appearance.
She deadpanned upon seeing his face.
"And apparently, he won't be joining us today." Nighteye told Izuku, ignoring the look he was being shot by the pinkette.
Eijirou tried to get her attention, and decided it was best to put himself between her and the Hero, as if he thought she was just going to snap and jump him. Seeing as how the only ones who had seen her get this agitated (before the Hassaikai meeting) were Katsuki and Momo, it made a bit of sense.
"Tsukauchi's been keeping an eye on the League." The police chief explained, standing by Nighteye. "According to him, it looks like they're on the move. Fortunately, we have plenty of Heroes here, so we can afford to send Gran Torino."
"I see." Izuku hesitantly said.
Eijirou slapped Hitomi on the back again, grinning. "Maybe we can take down the Hassaikai and the League of Villains at the same time!"
She huffed a weak laugh, ears twitching. "Wouldn't that be nice."
"Yeah!" Izuku nodded along, more willing to indulge the idea that sounded too good to be true. "Let's go." He whispered to himself in an effort to get geared up.
"Not yet."
"Mr. A— uh— Eraser Head!" Hitomi's tail wagged upon seeing their teacher's sudden appearance.
"Ah— Mr. Eraser Head, sir!" Izuku croaked, shocked to see him, and that he had been heard murmuring to himself.
"I'm teaming up with Nighteye Agency for this." The man cut right to the chase. "Do you understand me?"
Izuku nodded once, brows furrowed in a steeled expression. "Yes, sir!"
Mr. Aizawa then turned to Hitomi, casually walking up next to her, and raising his hand.
"Hey."
Hitomi squawked, wincing at the swift chop on the back of her neck. She rubbed the sore spot, looking up at their teacher in betrayal.
"Remember to keep your prejudices at the door when entering a mission."
Pursing her lips, Hitomi looked at her feet. She was trying, but it didn't make it any easier.
"Yeah, I know." She inhaled through her nose, closing her eyes.
Her right hand clenched, pressing her fingers into the cuts now healed.
Even Katsuki was able to set aside his anger for the greater good. Like his exam with Izuku against All Might. He gritted his teeth and bared working with his rival, because they both needed to in order to pass.
There was a young girl in need, and it was going to take everyone's help to rescue her.
Eri comes first.
Hitomi exhaled, opening her eyes and relaxing her hand. Her fuchsia eyes were darkened almost to a red, staring ahead determinedly.
No more immaturity and bitterness. They had someone to save.
…(Day of the Raid— 8:30 AM)…
"Once they've read the warrant, then you're free to move." The police chief advised.
They stood right outside the Hassaikai base, lying in wait.
"I'm counting on everyone to act swiftly."
Rock Lock glowered. "What's with this guy? Over here actin' like we don't know our jobs."
Fat Gum sighed. "You know that's not what he means, Rock Lock. Give it a rest."
Hitomi's brow twitched.
Oh so the adults can bicker. Got it.
She shook her head to herself.
The Police chief walked up to the entrance gate, warrant in hand.
Rock Lock clicked his tongue. "The real problem is that these yakuza bastards are good at livin' in the shadows. They see all these Heroes and the police, they might just disappear—"
The police chief moved to ring the buzzer, when the gate bursted open, a giant muscular man wearing a strange bird mask launched through, his fists covered in metal gloves.
In a flash of green sparks, Izuku grabbed the policemen in the path of the yakuza member, and jumped away.
Mr. Aizawa gripped his capture weapon, unfurling it and pulling down his goggles over his eyes.
Hitomi stood in a low stance by Fat Gum, eyes wide and canines growing large in her mouth.
"Whaddaya want?" The yakuza member grumbled tiredly. "It's too early for visitors." He stood to his full height.
Hitomi grimaced. Even in her new and bigger Akita form, she would only be about as tall as him. Not to mention the man looked like he was entirely made of muscle.
"Aw man! You kiddin' me?!" Rock Lock snapped. "How do they already know we're here?"
"No time for questions, let's go!" Mr. Brave used his Quirk, pulling hair from his head which turned into blades.
"That's good, I'm waking up a little." The thug reared back an arm, which bulged and grew even stronger, veins popping.
"Brace yourselves!" Ryukyu put herself between the yakuza member and the rest of them.
"Why're you people here?!" The man raged as he threw his punch.
Ryukyu transformed, her dragon form easily taking the brunt of the blow. Her clawed hand held his fist, keeping him still.
"Listen to me!" Her deep voice boomed. "We shouldn't split up too many of our forces yet. The Ryukyu Agency will take care of this Villain." She lifted him by his fist, and slammed him into the ground. "The rest of you, go!"
"You heard her! Everyone move, come on!" Fat Gum urged, ushering along Hitomi, Eijirou, and Amajiki.
"Well that escalated quickly." Eijirou commented as he ran next to the pinkette, trying to sound unshaken.
Ahead of them, the police chief charged in through the main gate with Nighteye, brandishing the warrant and reciting the rights.
"It feels familiar." Hitomi said, thinking back to I-Island, and more so the summer camp. "Do you think we'll ever get used to it? All the panic and nervousness?"
Will we ever stop being scared? She mentally tacked on.
"You learn to adapt to it, but the adrenaline and nerves are always there." Fat Gum cut in. "If they weren't, you'd get sloppy, and careless. They're a good thing to have, trust me."
Kesagiri Man, Rock Lock, and a few others all led the way, knocking down and out any thug that was between them and the door to the lavish house
Nighteye split from the chief once he finished reading the warrant, running up next to them and Fat Gum.
"Quickest route, let's go! Let's get to the girl!" Fat Gum crowed.
"We're comin', kid!" Eijirou declared confidently.
Hitomi nodded sternly.
Hang in there just a bit longer, please, Eri!
…(Day of the Raid— Unknown Time and Place)…
"She's part of the charge."
On a monitor, the image of the Heroes charging the base was shown. With a click, it zoomed in on one pink haired individual.
The blonde woman cupped her flushed cheeks, smiling at the feed.
"Look at that new costume. Silver and gold accents… she's just too precious."
"I don't have time for this."
She lost the loving look on her face, frowning at the man in the green and purple jacket.
"What did you want, Madam? In case you hadn't noticed, I'm a bit occupied at the moment." Chisaki grumbled impatiently.
The woman who went by Madam, sighed. "You're so boring, Birdie."
His eyes narrowed. "Cut to the chase."
And hers sharpened. "Watch your tone. Remember who's funding half your little experiments."
"I don't need your funding anymore, frankly. We make plenty selling our wares on the black market."
She huffed a derisive laugh. "Right, and who's one of your largest buyers?"
Chisaki didn't answer.
"Now, as for your question, I'm here to make something abundantly clear." The woman simpered, before her hand shot out and gripped the tip of Chisaki's mask, pulling him in close.
He gave a minute flinch, grimacing as redness and hives started to crawl up his neck.
The woman smiled coldly. "You can do whatever you wish to any of the Heroes and police, but not a hair on my darling's head will be harmed. Understood?"
"Yes." He hissed, if only to get her to let go.
If it was anyone else, he would've taken their arm off for daring to come near him. But this was the Madam. He wasn't suicidal.
"Good!" She chirped, releasing him. "I just wanted to make sure we agreed. The last group I employed went and marked up her beautiful face. And if I didn't have more need for them, I would've returned the favor already." She sighed dramatically. "Alas, they have two Quirks I need for the extraction plan, come December. So they're off the hook for now."
Chisaki couldn't help but scratch at the redness, shaking with rage he managed to control just enough to only spit vitriol, instead of making a physical attack.
"Your obsession is psychotic. You know you won't ever have the relationship you want with the damn kid."
The woman smiled sweetly, unshaken by his words. "Oh I know it'll take some persuasion to get her to see things my way, but I have a feeling that once I show her what really went on with her parents, she'll be so desperate for love, she'll cling to the first adult to give her affection. Me."
"And what if your little loose end gets to her first?" Chisaki challenged in a snarl.
The woman's expression dropped, her eyes chilling.
"He wouldn't dare. He knows what will happen to him and his little husband if he even considers it. He's behaved for the better part of two decades, after all, so I don't believe I have anything to worry about."
The ceiling above them rumbled, shaking dust down.
The woman sighed again, regaining her carefree attitude. "Ah, well, I have to go before anyone sees me. Remember what I told you, no harming my sweet girl. But if the opportunity arrives, take her. Though I doubt you'll manage that." She reiterated and remarked on her way to the door, waving lazily over her shoulder. After exiting the room, she peeked her head back in with a grin. "Oh, and if you get arrested, don't speak a word of my business, unless you'd like to be painted across the walls of your cell. Toodles!"
Chisaki watched her leave, only feeling as if he could finally breathe once she was gone.
He should've followed his grandfather's lead, and stayed far away from the Madam and her dealings.
"She can do whatever it is she promises you— make you rich, famous, healthy, loved, whatever it may be, but the price is damning. Whatever it is you want from her, you're better off never having."
Like a genie. And he made the mistake of rubbing the lamp.
Well, no time for regrets. Now he needed to focus on getting Eri out without getting caught.
And make sure none of his lackeys were idiotic enough to hurt the UA girl.
Chisaki's a punk-ass bitch and not even his fellow Villains respect him.
BNHA needs more genuinely scary female Villains. Not sexy Villains. Not cute Villains. I wanted to throw in a seriously fucking threatening lady Villain. So, here you go!
Also, I wanted to write a bit of interaction between Hitomi and the police, because as previously mentioned (though briefly) Riku's side of the family is largely in the business of law enforcement, but there wasn't any place in the chapter that I could squeeze it in comfortably without disrupting the flow, so just assume that it happened at some point behind the scenes lol.
Anywho, god this chapter gave me trouble. You wanna know when this doc was made? March 4th. I've been working on it since March. I dunno why writer's block hit me so hard for this, I mean, mid April was when I wrote the whole freaking guideline for my JJK fic. It's just something about this arc, I think.