My Hero Academia: Of Blood and Flames

Chapter 3: Allogeneic

Himiko stood in her parent's yard, her cheek still stinging from where she was struck. It was empty. No towering parents. No little sparrow resting in repose. Not even a wind blowing through leaves and grass. Everything was dead. Sterile.

She heard it first. A crackling. Then, she felt it. Her left side warmed as if exposed to a summer sun. She turned and felt the heat wash over her front as a giant made of fire walked through the gate. The giant stopped a few feet away and the pair just stared at each other. Himiko took a step back, and the giant didn't approach. She took two steps forward, and the giant didn't retreat. So, she took two more forward. No movement. Two more. Stillness. She took two more, then she took two more and took two more again. Soon enough, she had closed the distance with only a step between her and the fiery giant.

Himiko could feel the heat washing over her, tanning and burning her skin in an instant. She took a deep breath, then reached out and embraced the tree trunk leg of the giant. She was embraced by the flames in return and felt her skin bubbling and burning away. Her blood evaporated into steam and her flesh burned to ash that was caught by a sudden wind. Her ashes twirled up into the sky and formed a tiny sparrow.

With a flap of her wings, the ash sparrow broke free of the wind. She flitted through the sky as she chose, no one dictating her path. The tyranny of gravity had been overcome and the updrafts from the fiery giant kept her afloat whenever it threatened her again. After an eternity of flying how and where she wanted, Himiko landed gently atop the fiery giant's head. The flames licked at her, but only warmed. She was ash, one and the same with the flames. Kin.

It was only once she landed that the giant moved. He turned around and walked them out of the birdcage that Himiko had once occupied. She felt an aching in her chest. As she crossed the threshold of the cage, she felt like she was to be torn apart. She screamed in pain-

-and found herself waking to an unfamiliar ceiling. Himiko looked around. This wasn't her cozy room with the bird posters on the wall. She gripped the thin sheets around her that couldn't even dream of matching the softness of her comforter. Her head lifted from the flat pillow, and she looked around. A dormitory with a dozen bunkbeds spread around. She was on the top bunk, the mattress too firm for her to sink into it. The dream had felt comfortable, but reality was wrong.

Himiko looked desperately for the tree that sat outside her window. The one all the little birdies liked to spend their morning on. The perch that she admired, from which she would be woken by cute little chirping and singing-

-It was the snore that finally broke her. The person beneath her let out the undignified noise and Himiko's reality shattered. The tears flowed free down her cheeks as she let out choked sobs. She didn't bother to restrain them. She couldn't even if she wanted to. Which she did not. Her rebellion against the cruel reality she'd woken up in.

She sobbed and sobbed until a warm set of arms wrapped around her. "It'll be fine," said a familiar voice. Through tear-stained eyes she recognized the speaker as Fiametta, the hero's lightly smoldering wings wrapping around her like a warm blanket. "I'm here. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"I'm not afraid," said Himiko through sobs. "I want to go home. To be in my bed. To be with mom and dad…"

"Oh, sweetie…" Fiametta held her tighter and Himiko felt herself relaxing. She let out a final sob as the warmth of the wings evaporated her tears. "We'll get you back home as soon as we can."

"You promise?"

"Of course," replied Fiametta. She released Himiko from her wing cocoon and spun her around to face her on the top bunk. "Endeavor is the Number two hero. There's nothing he can't do, and no one you can trust more. If there's a problem, he'll fix it."

"He sounds amazing," said Himiko. "He did save me yesterday. And the little sparrow as well."

Fiametta smiled and nodded. "That's what heroes do. Would you like to sleep more?" Himiko shook her head. She was wide awake now. "How about we get you washed up and some breakfast then? Nothing a nice bath and a hot meal can't make better."

The sidekick helped Himiko off the bed and together the pair walked into a large bath for staff use. The sheer scope of the agency once again struck her. Her house wasn't small, but it could fit on this floor, with the bath dwarfing hers. Maybe if they had better beds she wouldn't mind living here. As Fiametta drew the bath Himiko dipped her toe in to find the water still ice cold. She leapt back with a small yelp. Fiametta laughed, walked right in, laid on her back and her wings flared bright white. Steam rose off the water. Himiko carefully stuck her toe back in and found it the perfect temperature.

"Fire is amazing," said Himiko, letting herself sink into the water up to her chin. She let out a sigh of relief. "I wish I had a fire Quirk."

Fiametta looked at Himiko, but the girl wasn't sure what to take from the complicated expression on the hero's face. "I think your ability to transform is pretty neat," said Fiametta. To Himiko she seemed to be holding something back from her words.

The pair didn't have much else to say as Fiametta helped her wash her body and hair. It was only as they did that Himiko saw the thin layer of ash that had been covering her. It was nice being clean, but she felt strangely lonely without it. Before she could vocalize her feeling though, her stomach growled and with a laugh the pair hurried to get her dried and dressed. She put on a light blue one piece dress that she was told was a gift from Endeavor's daughter. As the dress fell around her, she imagined the cute girl who must've worn it before, and she smiled broadly at the thought that it was like they were sharing the same skin. A closeness that was hard to beat.

Before heading to the cafeteria, Himiko took a quick stop at her bunk bed. Climbing up, she saw the lumpy pillow had a thin layer of ash on it that had rubbed off her face. She bent over and rubbed a cheek on the pillow, hoping that the little sparrow would bless her with good luck that day. Her ritual done, she climbed back down and followed Fiametta to the cafeteria.

Himiko took maybe a little too much food onto her tray after the chef told her that she could take whatever she wanted. She wanted to try a little bit of everything. Breakfast was noisy as Himiko talked excitedly between bites about everything she ate. Fiametta patiently responded with comments and laughter. The woman was a fun, calming presence among all the unfamiliar heroes of the Endeavor agency that ate around them. Himiko glanced around, looking for someone in particular.

"Does Endeavor not eat in here?" asked Himiko.

"Sometimes he does," replied Fiametta. "Sometimes he eats in his office. Assuming he's not at home, of course."

"Does he go home often?" asked Himiko. Would it be possible before she returned to her parents to visit his home and meet his children? She at least wanted to thank his daughter for the cute clothes.

Fiametta's response was delayed a few moments before she finally spoke again. "He's a busy man, and work has been keeping him away recently. I'm sure he'll return home soon enough though."

It was a non-answer, but before Himiko could press any further, a large figure sat down next to the pair. "Are you enjoying the food?"

Himiko turned with a broad smile to face Endeavor, the hero looking as surly as ever. "It's all so good," said Himiko. She pushed the plate towards him. "Do you want some?"

He held up his hand and waved away the offer. "I already ate hours ago."

"You were awake that early?"

"Always," replied Endeavor. An awkward pause. "Did you sleep well?"

Himiko frowned. "The bed was uncomfortable. I wish I was in my bed."

"We'll talk to the police when you're done eating," said Endeavor. "Take your time and I'll escort you to the station so that they can get your account of the event."

"And then I can go home?" asked Himiko, excitement filling her. Mommy and Daddy might've been mean once, but surely, they'd be better now? It might not be better than the cafeteria, but she wanted her mother's cooking. Plus, her comfy bed.

"Once it's deemed safe," replied Endeavor. "Now, eat."

Himiko did so with gusto. She wondered how much Endeavor had eaten to grow that big. Maybe when she got home her mother would increase the amount of food on her plate? She didn't want to be as big as Endeavor, but Fiametta was tall and well built. That would be neat.

Once Himiko was done eating, the entire plate licked clean, Endeavor escorted her out of the agency. Fiametta stayed behind to work on something, waving and wishing Himiko good luck. The Police Station wasn't far from the Endeavor agency, so the pair walked down the block. It took everything she had to keep up with the large man. Eight steps for every one he made. Endeavor wasn't talkative on their trip over. Instead, his gaze swept over the entire city and Himiko was sure that if someone did something bad even around the block, he would notice. She tried to do the same but got bored after a few minutes. Instead, she distracted her mind with the thought of being like a bird and flying to the police station next to Endeavor. That was a nice thought, so she expanded it to imagining what with would be like to fly as Fiametta. Flaming wings flapping and propelling her through the sky for a graceful landing like she had in the park. Remembering the park led her to think about Endeavor flying up into the air, and then landing with the villain in hand. It hadn't been a graceful trip up or down. But it had been warm, and powerful. She mulled over the words to describe the man next to her. She'd never met anyone like him before.

"We're here." Himiko was brought out of her thoughts by Endeavor's commanding voice. He never seemed to not be commanding. Were all heroes like that? Endeavor held the door open for her. "Ready?"

Himiko stood up straighter, pushed back her shoulders and attempted to stride inside the building like Endeavor did. It was a strange place, but he didn't seem scared, so if she copied him, it would be fine, right? The Flame Hero didn't comment as she walked past. He followed her, letting the door close behind them. The entire police station stopped what they were doing when the pair entered, staring and whispering. Himiko just kept copying Endeavor, ignoring anything else around her and striding towards their destination. Endeavor got ahead of her in just a few steps and led the way to a man in a brown coat.

"Welcome," said the man, waving at the pair. "I'm surprised the Flame Hero came all the way here. I was expecting you to send a sidekick. You're a busy man, after all."

"Once I start a job, I finish it, Detective," said Endeavor, stopping in front of the man.

The detective laughed and looked down at Himiko. "And you're Toga Himiko, I presume?"

Himiko stopped in front of the man and posed like Endeavor. "Once I start a job, I finish it, Detective." She waited to see how her greeting went over, but there was just silence in the entire building. Then there was laughter. She glanced around, confused. As far as she could tell, only Endeavor wasn't laughing, his expression as impassive as always. She looked up at him. "Did I say something weird?"

Endeavor sighed. "Why are you copying me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" asked Himiko, not understanding the question.

The detective took a few gasping breaths as he composed himself. "Sorry about that. I didn't realize you were so good with children."

"Where does she need to go?" asked Endeavor.

"Right through that door," said the detective with a gesture. "Child services are already in there."

"Let's go," said Endeavor. He strode across the room and Himiko followed. He opened the indicated door and gestured inside. "Enter."

Himiko did, seeing a man and woman already sitting inside. They smiled invitingly at her. She glanced up at Endeavor. "Are you joining me?"

The hero shook his head. "I've made my report already. They need to hear you alone." Himiko felt her expression fall on her face and Endeavor frowned. "I will be waiting outside. If you have a problem, I'll be there."

Himiko nodded, then entered the room. The door closed behind her. The pair in front of her were all smiles and gestured her to a soft chair across from them.

"Welcome dear," said the woman. "Could you please tell us what happened yesterday?"

Himiko took a deep breath, just like what Endeavor did before releasing his flames, and let it out slowly. "A cute birdy landed in the yard…"

Telling her story didn't take that long, even if it covered a full day of time. The bird, the slap, her parents yelling, Endeavor coming into their yard; it all only took a few minutes to relate. They asked if anything like this had happened before, but Himiko answered honestly that it never had. Mommy and Daddy were usually so nice to her. She didn't understand what the issue was this time. Neither of these adults explained it to her now either. Their smiles had faded at description of the sparrow and stayed gone through the whole story.

They also asked her about her time with Endeavor, and that took a bit more time to tell. She didn't leave anything out. People had strange reactions to the man. She'd seen the relief on both faces when Endeavor had said he wasn't going to enter the room. It was like they were afraid of him. But that was strange, because he was a hero. Maybe if she told them about how nice he was, they would smile and invite him in? From the villain in the park to the funeral for the little sparrow to coming to the police station, she only got more excited with each event. For a few minutes she was able to forget how much she missed her parents.

The smiles returned at the end of her story, and the pair thanked her for being "helpful" and "brave". She puffed her chest out at the compliments. They escorted her out of the room. A few feet away Endeavor was talking to the detective about something, frowns on both their faces. When the pair noticed her, the detective waved and smiled. Endeavor kept frowning. She had only ever seen him smile after defeating that villain in the park. What would it take to get him to smile again?

"All done?" asked Endeavor, striding over.

The man who had interviewed her nodded. "We are. We'll draft the report immediately." Himiko noted that he avoided eye contact with Endeavor. Strange. Shouldn't he think Endeavor was cool after what she'd told him?

"If you're fine with it," said the woman, wringing her hands together. "Would you be able to keep looking after her while we do?"

"Wait," said Himiko. She glanced between the adults, ending with Endeavor. "Aren't you taking me home?"

Endeavor shook his head. "Your parents have not yet asked for you to be returned to their custody."

The detective cut in at that moment. "What he's saying is that they asked for a bit more time to calm themselves. They were shocked by the whole thing, and they want to show you their best side, sweetie."

"We'll get you back home in no time," said the woman. "There's nothing to worry about!"

Himiko wasn't sure how to respond to any of that. The words from the detective and the woman smelled foul, despite how sweet they were. She didn't like it.

Endeavor held a large hand out to her. "We'll watch over you until this mess is sorted out."

His words were said in the same tone as ever but smelled much sweeter than the others. She trusted that smell and took his hand. "Promise?"

A pause. Endeavor let out a heavy sigh. "I promise."