The Price of Pain
Chapter 15: Cut Out Your Heart
The slew of messages on her phone from Ochaco was distracting. Aki went to delete the girls information altogether, but she hesitated to leave without saying something. It felt wrong to leave someone so caring, and worried in the dark about her situation. The girl was innocence incarnate, loving so freely and easily. It came to her like breathing did to any living creature. That was an admirable trait, enviable even. Aki worried that her continued presence near Ochaco would drag down such a beacon of light into the darkness.
Ochocolate: Plz, please, please reply back. I won't say anything to anyone. I'm just worried about you.
Ochocolate: Are you safe?
Ochocolate: Did a villain kidnap you? I don't believe you'd do that to anyone.
Ochocolate: Aki
Ochocolate: Please be safe.
Aki: I'm fine Uraraka-san. Though this is the last time I contact you. I'm truly sorry that it had to end this way. I was not kidnapped, and I am not a good person. I regret having deceived you. You did not deserve that. Please do not try to find me. I am deleting your contact and throwing away this burner. I wish you luck in all your future endeavours. Stay safe.
And that had been the end of it. Aki was about to throw away her burner phone when she received an unexpected text message from Giran of all people.
Giran: Lilac
It was a simple message, but one she'd requested he send her only in a very particular context. Hitoshi was reaching out to her. She didn't think it was because he saw her as a potential murderer and decided he wanted to join. Most likely he was either reaching out to talk her into turning herself in, or he'd bought heroes in to ambush her. She considered ignoring the call but remembered the sandwiches he bought her… how he always seemed to find some good to point out in her. Misguided as it was, it was nice to not be seen as a monster.
But a lie was a lie.
Aki was in fact a monster given human form, a thing to be despised, a creature too rotten to be close to fresher fruit. Whatever Hitoshi wanted to say would most likely be coming from his heart, but Aki had seen more of the true nature of people than Hitoshi ever had. She would lay his hopes to rest when it came to her and leave him with peace of mind knowing he tried. She would do at least that to repay him for his kindness.
After contemplating on some contingencies in case heroes did show up, Aki decided to text Giran an address. The man would tell Hitoshi where to go. She threw on a coat, pausing at the hallway when she saw Six by the kitchen, cooking something.
"Staying for breakfast? You shouldn't be going out for a couple of days until news of us has died down," he said.
The words died in her throat as she remembered how he had propositioned her the day before. It was juvenile how uncomfortable such a thing made her. It wasn't like he showed any intention of forcing it upon her. All she had to do was reject any such advances. She couldn't give him what she wanted. Well maybe she could go through the motions of sex, but the idea of faking it again made her nauseous. She had blanked her past experiences from her mind. It had just been a mission. She usually killed the ones she slept with. She couldn't do something like that with someone she cared about.
There she went again, letting her thoughts get ahead of her when it came to him. Aki had been through war without such hesitation and here she was freezing because of something as minor as sex that didn't even happen. She palmed her neck uncomfortable before throwing Six a scowl.
"You haven't been forgiven for yesterday. Also I can be inconspicuous if I wish to be," she said.
"What did I do wrong? Are you mad that I killed that woman?" he asked.
"She had no reason to die, and your mess has made headlines. At least now we know who you were, right?" she asked bitterly.
"To think I was a hero," he said, smile faltering. "Don't you want to hear all about my exploits?"
"Later," she dismissed.
"Maybe I should follow you," he hummed.
Aki used her quirk on him, and Six fell to the ground clutching his head as he laughed. Her scowl deepened.
"Do not follow me," she repeated sternly.
Six held his head, and his smile didn't drop. If anything he looked happier by her sudden burst of violent anger. She took a step back, flustered by him. She wished he would go back to being flesh-sack again, instead of whatever this weirdness was.
"I like it when you're like this boss. Alright, I'll stay for you. I'll always be there," he said.
What should have been comforting sentiment sounded ominous from his mouth. Though a part of Aki would not deny it was a relief to hear him confirm that. People always left. She looked briefly around the apartment for any sign of Dabi, to find in her disappointment that he wasn't there. She had two people to come home to now. Maybe that was why despite how threatened she felt by Six, she couldn't let him go. She wanted to ask him again, to make him repeat the sentiment, but she stopped herself.
Her mother was right about one thing. Bonds were a weakness.
What had her loyalty gotten her? Her infant brother sentenced to death before he could talk, her team killed in action, her sensei dead and gone while she was off on the other side of the world pretending to be a coal seller. Her father in this life had not been any better, giving her up despite how much she'd tried to compromise to be with him. Then a hero had come along and told her she would be fine, until she wasn't, because there was a reason her relationships never lasted.
The common factor was herself.
Aki knew she was rotten to the core, broken before she could even build a sense of self, and the people that suffered for it were those around her. She needed to cut off Hitoshi, sever her friendship with Ochaco, and distance herself emotionally from Six and Dabi.
"You shouldn't stay with me Six. I'm not worth it," she said, closing the door on him.
Aki had picked a café to meet-up with Hitoshi. It was a little out of the way from the city, secluded enough for there not to be too many heroes around, but busy enough for her to disappear into a crowd if they did come. She'd scouted the area to make sure Hitoshi didn't have any tails and was somewhat surprised that he didn't. She had expected he would bring along at least one hero. It was either that, or that hero was good at hiding.
She caught his lilac hair from the crowd. It was the colour of wisteria in bloom. It always struck her as beautiful. Had she been a flashy hero, or a civilian it would have been a colour she'd probably dye her hair in.
"Hitoshi," she greeted.
The boy turned to her with a mildly surprised expression, like he hadn't expected her to come. She took a seat, and he followed a step behind, watching her closely like he expected her to bolt.
"Why such a public location? Aren't you worried you'll be caught?" he asked.
"Please, the average person isn't going to remember the face of someone from the news they saw a night ago, let alone care to report it," she said.
So often than not, a Shinobi's ability to stealth relied solely on keeping composure, looking like they belonged even when they stood out. Even while unaccustomed to the Fire Countries habits and dialect, during her tenure as a spy, all Aki had to do was force a relaxed posture and go with the flow. Certain other little details like the way she did her hair in a braid instead of her usual bun and wearing glasses and a different style of clothing also aided in maintaining ambiguity, but confidence brought it all together.
"What do you want Hitoshi?" she asked, cutting to the chase.
The teen's expression hardened in determination.
"I want you to tell me the truth. Did you kill the woman from a night ago?" he asked.
"No, it was my companion," she sighed.
"You have to realise how that sounds Kuroishi. He's a murderer and a villain who nearly bombed an entire district. You have to do the right thing and turn him in. I know some people now, people who can get you help like they helped me," he said.
Before Hitoshi could continue the waiter came up to their table.
"Are you ready to order?" he asked.
Aki looked at the menu for a moment. "We'll take your tuna and egg sandwiches thanks. I'll have an orange juice. Any drinks for you?"
Hitoshi opened and closed his mouth like a gaping fish, finding her nonchalance unnerving no doubt. He let out a sigh eventually and looked through the menu.
"Black coffee, no sugar," he said.
"It should only be 10 minutes. I'll take your menus," the waiter said, before they left.
Hitoshi stared at Aki and then back at the older teen who had taken their order. Aki let out an amused huff.
"Told you they wouldn't notice," she said.
"Do you find this funny? Why did you even agree to come?" he asked.
In truth she didn't find this funny. Maybe this would be the last time she'd see Hitoshi again, and while they'd never gotten to know each other very well in the first place, a part of her mourned what could have been. Friendship was a rarity in her life. Ochaco had come the closest, but Hitoshi was the first person to reach out to her like this. She had no idea what he got out of pursuing her. Maybe it was the hero complex society drilled into him, or maybe he was genuinely deluded enough to consider her worth the effort.
"I agreed to come because I owe you for the sandwiches," she said.
Hitoshi made a strangled sound. "Sandwiches?"
Aki frowned. Had he forgotten about feeding her? She didn't know how he could have, considering it was an odd thing for someone to do to go out of their way to help her like that. She felt a vague tinge of embarrassment for having been stuck on a memory he didn't even remember.
"Regardless, I want you to come back with me. Two heroes are fostering me, and I'm sure they can pardon you for whatever crimes you've done. If we just prove you didn't aid in the murder, and process your quirk properly, it won't be blacklisted anymore. You could be a hero," Hitoshi said, as if he'd just solved all her problems in one swoop.
His innocence was telling. His hopes were naïve and infantile almost. She rubbed the bridge of her nose and let out a deep sigh, wondering if she was yet again going to ruin someone else. At least this time the consequence wasn't death.
"Hitoshi… how do I put this simply? I don't want to be a hero. I think I would rather die than become one," she said, meaning every word of it.
Dark eyes widened in confusion. "Why? Aren't you tired of the world seeing you as a villain?"
Aki snorted self-depreciatively. "That's the difference between you and me. I am a villain. Hitoshi, I didn't beat your bullies because I wanted to save you, I beat them because I was angry at this world."
"I… Don't understand," he said.
"You know Stain is a piece of shit who doesn't honour his contracts, but he was right about something. Hero society as it is, is a farce. What do you hope to achieve by becoming a hero?" she asked him.
"I want to make people see that my quirk doesn't define who I am. I'm not a villain, just like you aren't," he challenged.
Aki shook her head. "No, it won't change a thing. Heroes like Gang Orca have tried, and now they hire him in movies and commercials to play the part as a Villain to perpetuate the same stereotypes he'd tried to break down. And Heroes… at the end of the day they follow the interests of their sponsors, and the hero commission. I'm not putting myself under the thumbs of powerful people who'll tell me where to go, who to kill, when to kneel and bark like a good little dog."
"It isn't like that. Sure the bigger agencies aren't the best, but the smaller ones that focus on real crime actually get work done. Eraserhead does that kind of work. You can too," he said.
That threw her for a loop. She hesitated to speak for a moment as she swallowed down the lump in her throat.
"Eraserhead is fostering you?" she asked.
"He could for you too. I know he's already trying to reach you," Hitoshi said, eyes pleading for her to agree.
It took a moment for her to gather herself. Eraserhead was nice… but he was ultimately a hero. Someone who benefited from this system in some way, someone who was born with a set of morals completely different to her. Eraserhead was an exemplary hero, far more deserving of the title than heroes solely looking for recognition and fame. Aki could never be that, even if she tried. It ran antithetical to everything she was, everything she had been taught to be; hidden in the shadows, to disregard morality, to focus only on the mission and survival.
"I don't want his help, or yours. I don't need it."
What more could she say? This was the truth of the matter. There was indignation in the peripheral of her thoughts, the rising heat of anger in her chest that threatened to spill over into violence again. Aki hated how it had come back to that again. There was no point raging against reality. The only thing anyone could do was make the best of it.
"Why do you refuse help?" Hitoshi asked in frustration.
"You don't know what kind of person I am. I couldn't be a hero, even if I wanted to be one, which I don't. Give up on it Hitoshi. I came here to give you some closure, nothing more," she sighed.
"You will—"
Hitoshi stopped mid-sentence, his breath choking in his throat. Aki, didn't take her eyes off the boy as the waiter put down their food in front of them. He'd just tried to brainwash her. She knew he'd resort to it eventually of course, but he was too obvious with his tells. Her quirk was far more subtle, and quick to activate too now that she'd gotten more practice with it.
"You freeze when you're scared," she said, before taking a sip of her juice.
When she stopped using her quirk on him, Hitoshi finally let out a strangled gasp for air. He held his throat, sweat beading down his face. His eyes were wide and frightened. She put that expression on his face.
Aki took a sandwich and stood up. Someone was looking her way and she had overstayed her welcome now. She'd repaid her debt and now she'd wash her hands from him forever.
"Don't try to get in my way again. If you become a hero, the only way we're going to meet again is in battle."
"W-why?" he asked, rubbing his neck.
Because in the end of the day, whether it was in Iwa or Japan, humans were all the same. Aki refused to bow to societies whims again, refused to die on someone else's bidding. The only person she had was herself now, and that was safe.
"Goodbye Hitoshi."
And she left him.
Aki got back to work not long after. She hadn't approached Moriko but rather Giran. She needed something a little more low-key, something that would keep money flowing and to be the type of high-risk jobs Alley Cat could provide.
Her attention was taken half to the news in her phone and the other half to her work. It wasn't necessary for her to be alert at this moment in time. She was in a car, on the way to a shipment as security. Until she was there, she didn't really have work. So Aki let her thoughts drift to Six. She'd read up on his past life as Rokura Nomura, the hero O'Clock, taken from the current Vigilante named Knuckleduster. That particular revelation had been surprising.
There was still a large part of Six's past she didn't know. What had he been doing from his childhood to his mid-twenties. He had appeared in documents around 22, with a faked identity and a start-up hero licence. She tried tracing past the fake documents and the real ones, but none of it existed. What was there, she had spent hours hacking into police documents that had all been redacted. Why redact information on a Villain?
Her current theory was that he was some government funded run-away experiment. Maybe an attempt at creating the ideal hero. His multiple incompatible quirks pointed to that being the most likely factor. Though she couldn't say with actual certainty on any of her theories. Six himself couldn't remember past his 'rebirth' into the world. His technical knowledge had transferred through, and he was remembering his quirks slowly, but any specific memory outside of the vigilante, Himawari Koichi, was lost to Six. That, and a pop song sung by ex-vigilante and idol Pop-step. The incident that happened four years prior in Naruhata that nearly exploded a whole block was simply swept under the rug, hidden away despite the spectacle and destruction of it all, like the media didn't want for it to be the news it deserved to be. Even now mentions of Rokura Nomura in the news did not go into detail about the extent of the destruction he was capable of.
Aki knew damage control when she saw it. No doubt the higher ups didn't want to incite panic into the populace. This kind of destruction hadn't been seen since Toxic Chainsaw. Except Toxic Chainsaw was captured and detained by All Might, whereas Six had not. A Vigilante had taken him down. That wouldn't reflect well on the Hero Commissions ability to respond to threats.
All she knew was that she didn't have all the information to piece together Six's past, let alone her own. Suddenly there were too many dangerous unknown variables, and she had a feeling there was someone sinister behind it. Aki had to find her footing again. Having someone like Six become her enemy would spell her end. She was in no way delusional enough to think she could kill someone with the array of quirks he had. His superior speed and strength far outweighed hers. Outside of the off chance she did manage to catch his eyes during combat, he could easily dispatch her before she could even blink. It left her feeling vulnerable, though she doubted he would do something like that when he hadn't so far, especially not when he had some kind of sick fascination with her. Still, she couldn't just lay down and put herself in such a vulnerable position if the need did arise to fight. But before she could even consider that line of thought, she knew she needed to find her bearings again.
If she wasn't a Shinobi anymore, then what was she?
"We're reaching the meeting boys," the lead security of their rag-tag group of mercenaries said, before turning his attention to her briefly and correcting himself, "and girl. Keep sharp, or you'll end up dead like the last ones who didn't."
"Yes sir," they all chorused.
Aki felt almost in her element since the first time she'd come to this world. It was why she'd joined temporarily with a private security company for a few jobs. Giran had recommended them since they were a third-party group, going simply where the money went, and not really holding any political or moral leaning. The whole point of having gone solo was to not be beholden to a group like this again, one which pointed her when and where to kill, but she'd slipped back into it. Her world had tilted on an axis ever since she'd been reborn to this cursed place with it's alien practices.
She wondered if all those years trying to be something she wasn't had been worth it. This was the closest thing to being a Shinobi she could have. What had trying to be anything else accomplished? She'd simply lost her composure, the one thing she'd valued above everything else, the one thing that set her apart from every other Shinobi. She was cold, calculative, and steadfast… until she wasn't. Until she had a panic attack on a mission. Until Six had reduced her to frayed nerves and near tears with just words alone. Aki felt like a weapon worn down to a blunted edge. More than anything she needed to be sharpened, needed to be directed again.
They exited the vehicle, and she fixed the uniform they had provided for it. It wasn't what she would have preferred to wear but it wasn't too bad. It was a simple black outfit, with a Kevlar vest and breathable yet professional black pants and leather shoes. The vest was optional depending on the individual's quirk, but she kept it on since it provided a harness for her katanas, and some pockets to hold her kunai and shuriken. It wasn't as suited for her fighting style as her clothes were, but it was much better than some of the gear she saw heroes wearing which just screamed impracticality.
It wasn't a deserted warehouse that they entered, but rather an old brick building with a reinforced door. She pursed her lips as she looked around to find no windows anywhere nearby. If they needed an exit plan, this place would prove difficult. A small slit on the door opened and her new boss flashed his badge. Beady eyes were obscured once again followed by the clinking of keys and the grating of metal on metal as the door was opened.
"Boss is waiting downstairs," the large man said.
He didn't gesture for their group to follow, but they did. Aki walked behind the men, surveying the scene before her. Several unpleasant figures were lounging around, a few scattered women tending to them with breasts pressed close to arms, draping themselves over those men like they were nothing but sexual objects. Aki pursed her lips, turning away from a woman who caught her eye and winked at her. They were spared from the scene as they descended the narrow staircase, the sounds of clinking glasses and murmured conversations growing a little louder. The place stunk of cigarette smoke and stale beer. The walls were a rough-hewn stone, with no window or ventilation in sight. She wondered if this was simply on elaborate death trap.
The lighting was low, casting long shadows across the room. Unlike Taisho's Bar and Grill, this joint seemed somehow less classy and far more expensive. The wood had to be mahogany, the kind she only saw in Daimyo Lords houses, tarnished a deep burgundy, and adorned with leather bar stools. The people down here wore suits, unbuttoned and sleeves rolled up to show their tattoos and yakuza signifiers. Though it was easy to see who the real boss of the gang was. The man was comically large, broad shouldered, bald, and muscular despite his fatness. He was also sitting in the middle of six beautiful woman all dressed to impress, draping themselves over him like he was their priced possession.
"Yamato, the famed Mercenary of the Kuroi Oni-tachi," the large man greeted. "I heard your team was nearly wiped clear. It seems like you're desperate for any kind of hire."
Their employer's attention was clearly on her. No doubt a teenage girl was rather unconventional hire in this world. Aki lamented just how normal she was in Iwa. She didn't expect to be respected off the get-go anyhow. She was still a child by their standards, and while quirks did give women a one up in this world, it seemed it was a universal trait to underestimate young women.
"She's a notorious fighter in the Underground. My personal hirlings are always vetted, Kanro-san. If you wish to question my decision on my men then feel free to see me out," Yamato said.
Aki blinked up in surprise at the man. She hadn't expected him to stand up for her like that. She turned to their employer and waited for an outburst. None came. The man simply smiled sharply, rubbing a palm over an enclosed fist. He was upset but reigning it in.
"Well, you are known to deliver. So let's keep it that way. My men and I will be needing some extra muscle over the coming days. We Yakuza are rare these days because of hero interference, but to think one of our own would wage a war against us."
Yamato was handed a box. Aki and the rest of the hired men turned to look at the contents curiously. Their leader opened it to showcase a rotting severed head, holding a triangular lotus symbol on the inside.
"The Shie Hassaikai… unless I'm mistaken," Yamato said, closing the box and returning it to one of their men.
Kanro nodded, rubbing his bald head and grinning angrily. "They think they can cut up my right-hand man's head and ship it to me like a stuffed pig, and get away with it? I can overlook a little bit of theft, but this is an act of war. They've been gunning after all the other little piggies, destroying gangs and absorbing them, but they'll bite off more they can chew with us."
Aki wasn't so sure about that. If that were the case, there would be no need for extra mercenaries on the scene. She looked at the thugs in the area and wondered how easy they'd be to kill. Or maybe the man wasn't bluffing, and they had some powerful quirk users and fighters in their midst. Her attention went to Yamato. She admittedly knew little of the man, not having bothered to look into mercenary groups when she'd been so adamant to be one alone until now. He seemed semi-famous for his station, but he had the air about him of a man who'd fallen from grace, who had peaked and was struggling to remain relevant now.
Still she'd had Curious rant on about his quirk long enough to know his was a highly frightening quirk, one that had the ability to control insects and arthropods in a three-block radius. It was a useful ability, one she thought was somewhat wasted on a mercenary rather than a spy. But she'd been warned not to take him lightly so she wouldn't.
"Do you have reasonable suspicion they will attack soon?" Yamato asked.
"They've stopped selling shipment of trigger recently, been pulling more desperate villains off their turf for some reason or another. They've been too quiet," Kanro said.
Once again Aki was unimpressed by the man's plan of action. This entire base was a neat little tomb. She was reminded once again of what it was like to have employers who really fucking sucked. Maybe Yamato really wasn't in the fault for getting his previous team killed. Sometimes external factors just had too much of a say. But as a leader, it was up to him to say no to losing contracts.
They were dismissed and Aki was surprised when Yamato approached her. He wasn't an intimidating figure up close, with an average male build, slightly tall, dark stubble neatly trimmed, dark brown eyes, and neatly kept short hair, but despite it all he felt more dangerous than most heroes or villains in their unusual costumes. Aki knew a soldier when she saw one. Yamato was most definitely ex-military.
"Sir?" she asked.
"This is your first job with the team Kuroishi, so I'll be partnering you with myself during this job," he said.
It seemed Yamato was full of surprises. She had expected to be partnered with someone else in the group, someone less important so that she would be clearly established in their pecking order as the newbie. It seemed he had other plans. It wasn't easy to trust him so easily, however. He wasn't an Iwa Shinobi, he was simply a merc with some manners.
"Now in my team, there will be no taking outside contracts during the job. We do one thing at a time. I'm not lenient with mistakes. Taking it easy on this kind of job will not just get you killed but your teammates too. So keep your focus on the job, never insult the employer, and always look out for the best interests of the crew. Got it?"
"Yes sir!"
"Good, let's see if you're cut out for this line of work. Come on since you're the newbie you're making the rounds," he said.
"Making the rounds?" she asked for clarification, side-eyeing the men who was snickering.
"We aim to provide the best possible service, so you'll be making sure you get our new bosses preferences down. What toilet paper he likes to use, what type of tint on the windows he'd like, and if he asks you to wipe his butt for him… well you do it," one of the team members said with a snicker.
Aki made an indignant sound, but it seemed no one was going to save her from this. She held back a frustrated huff and just nodded. It seemed she was back to being a Genin again. Figures.
A/N
I promise that Aki isn't going to be an underling forever. Anyway her character progression is not going to be a steady uphill climb, since like any normal person she's going to have setbacks, only to come out of it stronger or worse off. Also we have most of the creepiness from Six out of the way, so there will be less content warnings at the start of the chapters now. The Shie Hassaikai arc is incoming. This is when the plot really kicks in and things start to snowball into completely different canon events from here on out.
Comment Replies:
Doa570047- Just to preface, Hizashi/Shouta isn't a canon pairing. I think the fandom though has mostly come together to just make it a headcanon that they are. It became the go to for fanon pairings that sometimes it does feel canon in fanfiction spaces haha. Shouta adopting Hitoshi in this version is definitely because of his guilt for promising a safe upbringing to one kid and failing to deliver on it. So he sees Hitoshi as a way to atone for failing Aki.
Canon events will snowball into something different after a while mostly because Aki isn't the most merciful person… so expect some Villains and Heroes to die and completely change the story. I also find it quite difficult to find stories that don't just follow the main plot exactly and just tweak things here and there. Plus MHA as a world is too interesting to limit to just the highschool setting. It's why the entire arc just following the League of Villains was one of my favourites in it. And then they went back to a high school exam right after and I was back to disappointment haha.