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Of Butterfly Wings

Chapter Ninety-Six: The Call

Touya stretched out across his recliner while his kids sat transfixed in front of the television screen. Yua was curled up against his side while Katsuo sat next to Shouto on the floor while Haru was propped up on his lap. Hina and Tatsuo leaned against their grandmother on the couch as they'd waited for the film to start.

It was movie night tonight and it'd been Hina's turn to pick one. Naturally she'd selected Beauty and the Beast much to the rest of her siblings' annoyance. He had to intervene and remind them that they each had their own turn so they don't get to complain about Hina's pick. One sharp look from their mother had caused all of the children to settle down. He had to hand it to the woman for wrangling them without the need for even speaking a single word.

"So how's school going?" Touya kept his voice low as he spoke to Shouto.

His younger brother leaned back on his hands when Katsuo rested his head on his lap as well, being careful not to disturb his baby brother.

"It's going well. I've made new friends." He started, his voice also low as to keep from disturbing the kids.

"Oh yeah, you and that Midoriya kid are friends now right?" Touya furrowed his brows with concern, "Is he still breaking his bones every time he fights?"

He'd seen the battle between Shouto and Midoriya. His brother still struggled to accept his flames and preferred to rely on his ice. Both Midoriya and Bakugou capitalized on that but Midoriya managed to break through to Shouto at the last leg of the fight—leading to a massive blow out between the two boys. Ever since then Shouto spoke of him frequently. So it'd been safe to assume that he'd made friends in the green-haired boy.

Shouto glanced at him, "Actually ever since our internships he's been able to use his power without hurting himself. He can only use eight percent though."

"That's good," Touya nodded. "What about Himiko? Is she still in the hero course?"

He could feel his wife's eyes on him from the kitchen . While they were enjoying the movie, she'd opted to meal prep his lunches for the coming week. He'd asked her if she hadn't wanted to wait on it but Kagome assured him that it'd be fine and that if she waited too long, she'd be up half the night cooking. So it was better this way.

He heard the exaggerated sound of a knife cutting vegetables and he chose to keep silent. He'd discovered that his wife was oddly overprotective of the little blonde girl. Kagome had virtually adopted Himiko as her own and would often have her over for dinner to talk to her. Himiko had gushed to Kagome first about her acceptance into U.A. however he still had his reservations about the girl. She could get a little… stabby if left unattended for too long.

"She's actually been doing training exercises with our class. Mr. Aizawa likes bringing her in because it'd be good for us to face off against someone who knows how to fight the way we do." Shouto answered.

Shortly after arriving at the school, Himiko's quirk had become powered up and she'd developed the ability to copy the quirks of those whom she disguised herself as. He supposed that fighting someone that could mimic your power would be good training to find your own weaknesses.

Touya fell silent as the movie continued to play.

Yua's head began nodding off around halfway through. By the time the townspeople marched on the beast's castle, she'd fallen asleep completely. Haru wasn't much better off. Being as young as he was, he'd fallen asleep near the beginning. Meanwhile Hina was tearing up while Katsuo and Tatsuo watched every second with bated breath. For as much as his oldest sons complained earlier, they certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Eventually the movie came to an end and Kagome had finished in the kitchen. She glided into the living room and plucked the sleeping Haru from Shouto while he carried Katsuo. His mother held Hina and Tatsuo's hands as they brought all the children upstairs to their respective rooms. By now both sets of twins shared their own rooms with each other. With Katsuo and Tatsuo taking one of the rooms connected to the Jack-and-Jill bathroom while the girls took the other.

"But I'm not tired!" Yua complained, rubbing at her eyes as she started to sniffle.

"Maybe not but you need your rest." Touya kissed to crown of her head, "That's how you'll grow up strong and healthy."

He felt her arms wrap around his neck as he carried her up the steps and into their room. Gently, he placed her on the top bunk and tucked her in for the night. Rei did much the same, helping Hina take the bottom bunk.

By the time he'd emerged, Kagome and Shouto had gotten all the boys down for bed.

This had become a familiar routine for them by this point. So it didn't take long for the children to quiet down and eventually fall asleep.

Touya brought Kagome back to their room.

His wife paused when she finally took notice of her phone and the multitude of missed calls from her sister. Kagome's face paled and wordlessly, she dialed her sibling's number back.

Touya craned his head as he tried to listen in on their conversation.

"I understand," Kagome nodded despite not being physically present in front of her sister. "Yes. I'll swing by tomorrow. We can talk about it then. Thanks."

With that she hung up the phone.

Touya cast her a curious look.

"That was my sister," Kagome sucked a breath through her nose before she continued. "Fukuoka General Hospital called her today. Apparent our mother is there."

Touya quirked a brow at that, "Is she sick or something?"

His wife shook her head, "I don't know but I'll be heading to Kikyou's place to call the Hospital back and find out." Her lips pursed into a thin line, "I don't know if I'll go but I at least want to see what's going on."

He held his arms open for her and Kagome silently nestled herself within them. He felt her rest her head against his shoulder.

Touya laid back on their mattress, bringing her down onto the sheets with him.

"Do you want to see her again?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

Kagome leaned her head against the center of his chest, "No, but if this is the call then there's some things I'd like to say to her. I just want to talk to my sister first."

He had a feeling he knew the reason why, but he chose not to say anything at the moment. He simply held her to himself as she gradually fell into a deep slumber.

Come what may, the decision would ultimately be Kagome's.

Touya tangled his hands into his wife's hair.

He'd just be here as her support for as long as she needed him.

That's what husbands were for, right?