Kitsunebi

by Mochacana

This was long before heroes and villains came about, this was long before Quirks came about, this...was long before she came about. How coincidental is it that the mistakes of her ancestors and family are placed on her? This is the story of a girl who wanted nothing more than love, life, and light...but only to yearn for death as she lives on. This time...can she be saved?

11. Balance

["I'm sorry. Your call has been forwarded to-"]

It's been a week since Kamilah was reported "missing" on the news, and it's been two days since she ran away from us.

Aunt Yui and Zurui aren't answering their phones, and I'm not telling Rika any of what's been going on because that might set Joon off.

"Tch, where could she have gone? I was right on her heels two days ago! How the hell was I supposed to know she could teleport not only herself but other objects with her, too?"

'Not at my apartment, not at home, not in Iwa...' I thought of all the places my little sister could've gone, but nothing came to mind other than those three places. 'Damn it...'

"Excuse me. May we get by?"

"That is not how you ask. The brat's clearly in our way. Move it or lose it, son!"

I twitched at hearing a voice behind me, "Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't-"

As soon as I turned around, the two women expressed the same reaction I held. We stared at each other for a while.

"..."

"..."

"You're...Hati-...Hakim, right?" the green-haired woman asked.

I gave a nod, "Yeah..."

She smiled at me, clasping her hands together, "I knew it. You used to drop off Kamilah-chan at me and my son's home whenever you had the chance."

I studied the woman a little bit, "...Mrs. Midoriya?"

She gave a firm nod and a smile, "Yes! You remember me?"

"Yeah," I chuckled, then looked over to the other confused woman, "And Mrs. Bakugo, right?"

She blinked at me, "...Who's this kid again?"

Mrs. Midoriya and I both had a sweat drop, "You know, Mitsuki, Kamilah-chan's older brother."

She looked at her then at me again, "...Damn, you grew."

I nervously chuckled, "It has been a while since the last time I saw you both, hasn't it?"

"Mhm. How's your mother and father doing? I saw on the news that they're back in Japan."

I refrained from making a sour face, "They're alright. I haven't seen them yet so..."

"I see. Well, you oughta! They've been gone for months. I'm sure they miss you and Kamilah-chan."

"What about my daughter-in-law? How's she doing? She hasn't come to visit in a while, and I'm worried that boy of mine scared her off."

"D-Daughter-in-law?" me and Mrs. Midoriya stuttered.

She crossed her arms with a proud smile, "You don't see the connection between those two? There's no doubt in my mind they both got something going on, especially after what I witnessed on the news."

"You're talking about their escape, right?" Mrs. Midoriya inquired.

Mrs. Bakugo nodded, "Yep. He put her first before he put himself first...and I'm proud of him for that. He didn't admit it when he came home, but I know he did. However...I'm also worried about what's happened to her. She's still being reported "missing" in the news."

"Oh, about that..." Mrs. Midoriya began, "Kamilah-chan visited my home yesterday."

We both snapped our heads to her and she jumped. "WHAT?!" we both shouted.

"Why didn't ya say anything?!" Mrs. Bakugo yelled at her.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't know who to tell, or if I should tell anyone! Kamilah-chan didn't say anything about not telling, but at the same time, I didn't want the press on her and all of the unwanted attention! I'm very sorry, Hakim-kun!" she explained, bowing relentlessly.

"Inko!" Mrs. Bakugo yelled at her again.

"I apologize!"

"No, no, you're fine! I totally understand!" I waved my hands in front of her and she stopped so I grabbed her hands in mine and smiled. "You're a miracle, Mrs. Midoriya."

Before I could turn and leave, I was held back by a hand on my shoulder. "Wait a sec, boy. Don't you need to know where she's at?" Mrs. Bakugo asked.

"I already know...U.A., right?" I asked, looking at the teary-eyed woman.

Mrs. Midoriya nodded, "She is going there! She said she was looking for Izuku. Unfortunately, she just missed him for heading to the dorms when she arrived yesterday."

"Dorms?" I questioned.

"Yeah, U.A. asked all of us parents if we'll let our children stay at the dormitories they've built for better protection and convenience. I agreed for them to take my brat."

"It took a lot of convincing...but I agreed to let Izuku go, too."

I looked between both of them, "Thank you both. You don't understand how much this means to me."

"We're not going to say anything about this. Just do your job, kid."

"You're welcome! And good luck!"

---

"It stopped..."

"Yeah, it's stopped ever since you removed that voice restriction Quirk from Zurui."

We stared at the hourglass, the blue sand had stopped falling to the bottom as if a cork was put in the small opening.

I looked at the taller woman, "That's...a good thing, right?"

She nodded, "It is...however, I don't think it's all gone just yet. We'll need to explore more about your newly found Quirk." She turned around to look at me, "What do you call it?"

"Null."

"Sounds fitting," she smiled. "Let's cut to the chase. You're here about Joon-Woo, aren't you?"

"He's...a part of the reason for why I'm here."

"That deal you agreed for All-for-One? I got your back on that one. With Null and Psyka, you can cancel that out somehow-"

"I'm aware of that...but I think you do know what I'm here for..."

"..."

"And you aren't telling me."

"..."

"Why?"

"My story isn't important. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you because I "can't just let whatever the hell happened to go and live in peace", remember? Since "a dead person can't love", I can't feel; therefore, there's no point in telling you anything about my past."

I shifted my gaze to my feet in the waters of the oasis, "I...I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I said those horrible things. I...was just frustrated at the time, but that's no excuse to let what I said slide."

"...You're fine," she sighed. "I understand, and I accept your apology."

"The reason why I want to know more about you is because of a couple of reasons. My Dad said "History is repeating itself". Before that, I had an out-of-body experience...and then there was the talking that I felt I was doing while growing up. I just wanted to know...who you are."

"How do you benefit from this if I tell you?"

"For one, it'll give me some clarity, and two...to keep from repeating whatever mistakes that's been made in this family line."

"I want that for you, too. That's why I've hung around for so long to find a successor that will take the correct steps. Look at me, Kamilah."

I looked up from the gentle sways and at her. She held a content expression on her face, it almost seemed she was incapable of a smile.

"I am Misuzu Shimizu, a loving wife, one of your great-grandmothers, a descendant of Juri, a temporary user of One-for-All, a cursed child of the Shimizu family, and the most important role of all...the mother of your soul."

A sudden warmth spread throughout me. It felt strange, but familiar. I assume the unborn child's soul was reacting to her words.

"What...was their name?"

"...Kami. Zurui took that name...and Jameela added a spin on it."

"Oh..." I looked at the jackal statue, "What does that represent?"

She looked in the same direction, "It's as you said your hero's name is, Kitsunebi. A guide. Though half Libyan, the Egyptians share a history with Libya so they too worshipped the god of the dead, Anubis. He guided souls into the afterlife after embalming their bodies and weighed their hearts on a balance scale for them to be judged. There's a similar view on Jameela's hero name, Kassandra. It's ironic...and tragic how the name reflects her life. In the past, she told truths and no believed her...but now, all she spouts is lies and everyone believes her. Kassandra was the name of the Trojan princess character in Homer's Illiad, a Greek philosopher's poem. Kassandra was gifted and cursed by the Greek god, Apollo, to speak prophencies that were never believed."

"Tell me more."

"Gladly. Jameela's parents, your grandparents, were activists for the heated political conflict in Libya. Because Quirks weren't really accepted there, no one believed her when she would speak about what will happen if certain actions were taken. Unfortunately...mass genocide was the end result. The people who were left to fend for themselves were turning against each other and causing inhumane acts. Heroes from around the world were called in to handle the situation...one of those heroes was Endeavor."

I lifted an eyebrow at that name.

"He and others subdued the remaining people, causing Libya to break apart and the Egyptian government ended up getting involved. It wasn't a coincidence Jameela ended up in Japan..."

"It...makes sense now."

"She was on a mission. I recovered as much information as I could whenever you were around her...and now you know why she looks at Shoto the way she does. Why she hates hearing or talking about Endeavor. Why she worked hard to become a hero and be at the top."

"Shoto and I are two peas in a pod," I bitterly giggled. "That woman...she wants to kill Endeavor?"

"...Or for you to do so if she is unable to."

"..."

"She thought of your brother as a failure...so she made Zurui pity her, begged him for comfort, and ended up seducing him while Norio was in a comatose. Then, she had you...her so-called "successor"."

"..."

"You have a right to know this as well. You have the right to know what was the source of you and your brother's suffering."

"..."

She turned around, "Kamilah?"

I grimaced, "I refuse to give her the fucking satisfaction."

"..."

"I was going to go after Endeavor first...but now my plans have changed. She won't live long enough to get that satisfaction. I will."

"...Is that how you truly feel, Kamilah?"

"Of course, that's how I fucking feel!"

"And I can't take that away from you. I'm not going to be the hero I once tried to be and convince you not to act on how you feel."

"Hero?"

Misuzu looked off into the distance, "You're here."

---

I opened my eyes to see a...glass door in front of me. It was covered by curtains from the inside and a sliver of light was peaking from between. I recognized the curtains as an All-Might theme, immediately eliciting a snicker from me.

'Don't tell me he decorated his dorm with an All-Might theme. Have mercy on the one who goes in there and gets lost.'

Approaching the door, I tried to see if there was any sign of the viridian fanatic anywhere, but from what I could see, I didn't see him or anyone inside.

Placing my fingers in the indent to click and slide the door open, I was genuinely surprised that it worked. Disappointed in my broccoli baby for being so careless, I quietly slid the door open so no noise would alert anyone from outside.

I poked my head past the curtains, "Hello?"

A startled gasp made me snap my head in the direction I heard it come from, near the closet.

When I made eye contact with emerald-green eyes, a smile spread on my lips until my eyes took a glance downward to see he only had on boxers.

"Oh...oh, my bad," I quickly apologized and leaned my head back outside. I quickly poked my head back in, smirking, "Nice muscles by the way. You've been sticking to my workouts." I took a step back, waiting for the now audibly flustered boy moving about in his room.

The All-Might curtains suddenly swished to the side, revealing a bewildered and cherry-red-faced Izuku. He was dressed in a plain white T-shirt and black shorts.

"..."

"...What's good?"

"There's n-nothing good about any of this!"

I lifted an eyebrow, placing my hands on my hips and I let my weight fall on my right thigh, "Oh? Are you saying it's not good that I'm here?" I pouted, crossing my arms, "And after I came all this way just to see you..."

"That's not...what I meant." Izuku shook his head, "What are you doing here? More importantly, what happened to you after the raid? I was worried like crazy! Are you hurt? Todoroki told me you just disappeared. Did you-"

I sighed as I placed my bandaged finger on his lips, "...Don't you think it'd be polite to invite a girl inside? It's not good if one of your classmates sees me out here."

Izuku shut up for a few seconds before stepping to the side all while bowing his head in apology.

"I'm sorry," he apologized after I stepped inside, sliding the door closed. "I was just-"

"Worried, yeah, I know, you just told me," I reassured as I plopped in my desk chair, looking all around his room in a bit of amusement. "I was worried, too."

"So you were in some kind of trouble-"

"I was worried about you...-and Katsuki," I quickly added.

His eyebrows furrowed in perplexity, "Worried about Kacchan, I understand that. But why me?"

My gaze lingered on the fretting viridian, contemplating if I should tell him. 'It concerns his safety...but I don't know if it's safe to tell him I know about One-for-All. I know he already has a lot on his plate. All-Might just retired and that shit has to be taking a toll on his mental health. I shouldn't stress him out any more than he already is.'

"I don't understand. Kamilah?"

I put on a small smile, "Well...you and the others pulled off such a dangerous escape plan. Of course, I was worried."

He held a vacant stare before shrinking himself, somewhat panicking, "Oh, that? Haha. Don't worry. All who were involved with my stupidity were fine. It's the only thing I could think of at the time. I pondered on how I'd get you out of there first, but nothing was coming to mind until Todoroki suggested Kacchan toss you to him so he could catch you. I'm sorry if that experience was unpleasant. I noticed you dropped from thin air which made me wonder where you went, but I didn't ask at the time given the urgency of the situation. If you don't mind telling me, how did you end up doing that? Were you held hostage somewhere?"

"Izu?"

"If you were being held hostage. By whom? Was it by the same guy who has the blue flame Quirk? Speaking of, he fought you like he was just toying with you! I wonder what that's about. It's a good thing you-"

"Izuku."

Acknowledging his rambling mumbles, he jumped at me calling his name. He blinked once before closing his eyes and his cheeks were painted a shade of peach.

"S...Sorry."

I giggled, "You're good. I don't want you stressing, okay? A lot has happened since the raid..." I looked around his room once more, "And it's apparent."

"Y-Yeah, we moved into dorms for safety and convenience. Oh! Did you come back tonight and your arrival just wasn't announced?" He grabbed his phone, "Is that why you decided to scare me like that? You shouldn't do stuff like that while attending here, Milah-chan. You might get in trouble-"

"I'm aware. Hm? What is it?"

"Miss..." He looked up at me, "Missing? "Kamilah Shimizu: Still Missing"?" he read, flicking his eyes up and down from his phone to me.

I gave a lazy grin, "Oh, that? Yeah...yeah, I'm still "missing"."

Following Izuku's gaze to his door, we made eye contact for a brief moment, the silence becoming deafening.

He hummed as if he were nonchalant about the situation. I shrugged, planting my feet on the ground from the seat. I pushed my hands onto the cushion, ready to spring up at any moment.

That moment was when I saw a green spark around Izuku's legs. He made it across the room and had the chance to open the door ajar, but I quickly shut it with my foot. I trapped him against the door by squishing my body against his.

"Doesn't the teachers have the right to know?!" he strained, he was almost inaudible to understand if he didn't move his head to the side.

"Uh, no! None of their damn business what I got going!"

"I understand you want privacy, but it's not worth something happening to you while I'm around and without the teacher's acknowledgment!" he argued.

"Shit, if all you want is some comfort in my security. My brother and aunt know where...where I've been, okay? They're...keeping track of me," I gave a white lie.

"So...they know where you are right now?"

"...Not exactly, BUT. But...they know I'll be back soon. I just wanted to see you...to know you were okay."

"Well, as you can see, I'm completely fine. Now that you can see that, we need to-"

I sniffled, taking a step back from Izu and falling to my knees, clasping my hands together, and trying to give my best performance of crocodile tears.

"Izu, please, don't say anything. I'm begging you. What do I have to do to keep you quiet, huh?"

Izuku turned around, pressing his back to the door with a flushed red face and he awkwardly covered his face with his arms.

"Don't say stuff like that! And get off your knees! You'll bruise them like that..." he embarrassingly squeaked.

"What? New to a girl on her knees before you?"

"Kamilah!" he squealed.

I got up, hands in the air as I chuckled, "Okay, okay."

"A-And as for what you h-have to do...I'd rather you stay here for tonight. I-IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU! I DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE-"

Again, I placed the same finger against his lips as I did earlier. Next, I turned around, flicking that same finger to lock the door, and proceeded to his closet. I found the biggest T-shirt. I pushed my head through the collar and let it settle around me. I used the t-shirt as a cover to hide the discarding of my fitting gray t-shirt, black bra, and blue jean capris from beneath.

Once I got that out of the way, I folded the clothes and carried them to the center of his bedroom. I lay on his floor and placed the clothes beside my head off the All-Might-themed carpet. I used his carpet to roll in like a sushi roll and closed my eyes.

"Night," I called to him.

"..."

"..."

"...Have you no decency, Milah-chan?" Izuku sighed.

"When I'm around people I trust? Nope."

"At least sleep on my bed."

"I'm an intruding guest. It's only right I take the floor...unless you have a futon?"

"I don't so sleep on my bed. Please?"

"..." Unrolling myself from the makeshift blanket, I climbed on top of his bed, sighing at how soft it was. "This feels nice..."

"I know. The All-Might themed blanket sets had the highest quality of fabric, and for a reasonable price, too," he stated matter-of-factly.

I let out a tired chuckle, "Nerd...in a good way though."

I heard Izuku's chuckles getting closer and the flick of a light switch, but I didn't feel the bed dip, making me open my eyes that I didn't know had closed.

Looking over the side of the bed, I saw Izuku lying on the floor, his eyes temporarily closed before opening and curiously moving to my scrutinizing ones.

"What's wrong?"

I pouted, "...You're acting like we haven't slept in the same bed before as kids."

His peachy blush returned, "We're older now a-and I'm sure you want your space."

I frowned, "Are you implying I'm fat?"

He frantically shook his head, "You're not fat! You're actually cute, gorgeous even! Your mysteriousness enhances that your beauty! You're chubby and curvy in all the right places! I-I like you just the way you are!"

"..."

"..."

"...I didn't ask for all that, but thanks anyway." I gave a smitten expression, "You're adorable when you're trying to prove your point. Uraraka is a lucky gal," I teased.

"HOW DO YOU-"

"Anyway, hop on up here. There's enough room for two," I told him, patting the spot beside me.

"..." When he didn't make the slightest movement and looked away from me with hesitant eyes, I took it upon myself to use Psyka on him, levitating him up on the bed, resulting in him flailing around.

"M-Milah-chan! You-"

I engulfed him in a hug, shutting him up. "No more of that tonight. You said stay here for the night, but you didn't say how to. Besides, we used to cuddle all the time whenever I slept over. What's changed besides aging, huh?"

Now that my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, it was difficult to see what expression Izu was making. I normally used his reactions as a response if he didn't respond to me verbally.

We both didn't say anything for a while, letting the silence carry on again, but into slumber this time. Everything from today and the last few months of attending U.A. wanted to come rushing to my brain, but I was too tired from my plan of sneaking past the school'd intense security.

I didn't know what he was talking about when said it nor did I have the energy to reawake to question him about it.

"My feelings...changed..."

---

"Tiny-Might!"

"I am here!"

"Please, help! I have another problem!"

"What's wrong, ma'am?"

"It's not as serious, but it's the little girl over there! She looks so sad...I was hoping-"

"Say no more, ma'am! I am here! And I am going to cheer her up!"

Pitter patters approached me as I stared at one of my new friend's notebooks. I'm a little surprised he lets me read them...even when they're not finished.

"Excuse me, young lady!"

I looked up from the notebook to my friend...dressed in a familiar costume. Because I was sitting on the back of my thighs, he looked down at me with bright eyes and a smile.

"...Izu-"

"I think Tiny-Might wants to know what he can do to help!" Mrs. Midoriya interrupted with a nervous smile.

"Mhm! What's the matter? You look so sad..."

My gaze moved between her and her beaming son, 'So bright...' I rocked my body toward the boy, "I'm not sad. This is just my resting face."

Mrs. Midoriya looked as if she was about to go into a panic attack and faint due to my response. That's when I caught on...

"But...I wouldn't mind you making me smile...Tiny-Might," I mumbled the last part somewhat shyly.

I don't know if Izuku could shine any brighter because he looked as if he was about to bounce up and down whenever he got extremely excited. I couldn't help but find it adorkable.

"A smile, huh? Let's see!" He began muttering, "What will make you smile? A funny face? Hmm, I don't think it'd be that easy. A joke? I don't...think I have any right now. Maybe a toy? But I don't know what you li-"

This was the very first time I ever gave the young hero enthusiast a genuine laugh.

"Hahaha! You're cute when you start mumbling like that! Hehe..."

When I opened my eyes to gauge his response...it was the same amazed expression he gave me the day we met...

But there was something else behind it I was scared of.

---

"AH!"

The sound of a scream, objects falling over, and a bunch of thumps made me jolt awake.

"Wha? What's going on?" I mumbled sleepily, sitting up and trying to rub the sleep out of my eyes.

There was a knock on the door.

"Midoriya?! What's wrong?!"

I opened my eyes enough to see a blurry Izuku sitting on the floor, frantically looking between me and...the door?

Door?

'Where am I exactly?' I thought, woozily looking around the room I was in and the bed I was lying on.

"Oh...right, I snuck in..." I gasped, eyes bulging, "I SNUCK-"

Green sparks were left in Izuku's trail as he rushed over, placing a hand over my mouth, and shaking his head.

"Midoriya?! Are you alright in there?!"

"Yeah, we heard a crash!"

"I-I'm just j-just had a nightmare is all! Ju-just an overreaction!" he stuttered, not sounding convincing at all.

"Uhh...you sure?"

"Y-Yeah...I'm okay."

"If you say so..."

Whoever the two boys were behind the door left soon after, leaving a tense silence between us. Izuku's head dropped and he sighed, clearly relieved by the situation.

He dropped his hand from my face, "...What are you doing here?"

"Damn, a good morning to you, too. And you don't remember last night?" I made a lazy smile, taking the opportunity to tease him. "This and that happened, and ya know...nature took its course from there."

"Kamilah!" he raised his voice a little higher, revealing his face as his hands bunched into fists and his face turned bright red.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," I laughed at his fluster as quietly as I could. "Hmm...I miss this," I admitted with glee.

"Miss what?"

"Our dynamic. It's been so long since I felt like I've talked with you like this," I told him. "So much has happened in such a short time, Izu..."

"...You're right. A lot has happened. I have so many questions and worries... Can you answer a question for me?" he asked with hope in his voice.

"Shoot."

"Are you...okay?"

"...I'm okay."

"Are you lying right now?"

"...A little."

"Does it have to do with your mom?"

"...she's a part of it." I shook my head before he could catch me in his safety net, "I...don't want to talk about it right now, Izuku. I don't want to talk about anything about her, how I got here, or what's happened since I last saw you. I just...needed to see you, to know that you are okay, to spend some time with you."

I felt a sudden darkness creeping up on me, I felt a hand reaching out to me, ready to grab my neck and wring it if I tried anything to jeopardize whatever he wanted.

I closed my eyes, "Null and void."

That looming darkness suddenly went away.

"Huh?"

I reopened them, seeing my baffled broccoli boy. I offered a charming smile, "Nothing. Just getting rid of a bad feeling."

I could see that he didn't believe me, but he let it slide. "Alright... About spending time together, will it help you have peace of mind?"

"More than you'll ever know. I need your help...Deku."

Like in the past, saying his newly claimed hero name made me feel as if I was...disrespecting him, it also made me feel vulnerable, but I never told him about the latter. I didn't like asking anyone for help, and I still don't. It's something I feel like I'll have to get used to.

And like in the past, that same expression crossed him...and that unnerving hint that came with it is stronger this time. Despite that, Izuku smiled, rubbing the back of his neck with a dust of pink on his cheeks.

"You refused to call me Deku because you didn't want to "disrespect" me, as you said it. But since you're saying this now, I believe you. It's coincidental how the weekend turned up at the same time you needed me the most."

"I may or may not have anticipated my arrival," I giggled.

We laughed...until mine were cut short as soon as I felt that I recognized that look in Izuku's eyes from somewhere.

Toya, I need to tell-

Well...it's about your Quirk.

...Don't get mad at me when I say this. I'm only saying this because I care about you a lot, and I like you, so...I don't think it's safe for you to become a hero, Toya.

I don't want you to die yet. I won't let you. Not because of your father, you, or some dream that isn't what it all appears to be in the light.

"What's wrong, Mi-"

I stood up from his bed, closing the space between us which nearly made the startled boy fall over if it weren't for the desk chair he grabbed to hold himself up on.

"Izu."

"Y-Yes?"

"This is going to sound strange, but...do you think this moment right now is perfect?"

"P-Perfect? What do you-"

"Do you think I'm perfect?"

He searched for something in my eyes and while doing so...that unnerving one fully took over.

"I...do find you perfect. Why wouldn't I?"

Izuku straightened up, making me back up from him as he closed in on me this time. I fell backward on his bed, staring up at him with surprise at his abrupt newfound confidence.

"Why...why do you think that about me?"

Izuku seemed upset with my question. He frowned, bending down and caging me in between his hands.

"Though I had all the influences around me to become a hero, you and Mom were the only ones who were there for me. You ask why I think that out of you. Because I-..." He glanced away, probably searching for the right words, "I want to return the favor. I want to help you. I want to give you the proper help you need." His eyes found mine again, and determination filled his green orbs, "Kacchan doesn't deserve-"

"Deku, Iida wants us to come downstairs for some kind of meeting. Be down as soon as possible, okay?" I heard a boy's voice from behind the door.

Whatever Izuku was about to say...he stopped short, head falling as he sighed out of...was that annoyance? I've hardly seen that from him.

He pushed himself off the bed and stared down at me, "Stay in here, please?"

I gave a stiff nod, "Planned on it."

Not long after the strange viridian left the room, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I'm not sure what came over Izuku at that moment...but I'll address it as soon as I see him again.

"I didn't want him to become like me...I guess I was worrying about the wrong person he'd turn into..."

---

Some time had passed while Izuku was gone. While away, I occupied myself with looking around his room...

In the end, the All-Might theme began to hurt my eyes so I resided on looking over his desk, resulting in me finding his recent "Hero Analysis No.13" notebook.

I smirked, "I haven't read this one in a while. It looks odd," I murmured while picking up the burnt-looking notebook.

Flipping the pages to the most recent one, I cursed myself for not bringing my glasses. I held the notebook closer...and was taken aback by the hero in question was...me?

Quirk: Psyka

Abilities: Via psychokinesis. She can teleport, move objects and people without physical touch, and manifest energized cornflower blue objects into reality. Though a bit chubby, she's flexible like dough.

Combat Strategies: Short-range, melee, and long-range.

Fighting Style: She knows aikido, capoeira, mixed martial arts, and taekwondo.

Drawbacks: Overuse leads to bleeding from the eyes, mouth, and nose.

Ultimate Moves: Unknown.

Other notes: Though straightforward on the surface, it looks like Kamilah's Quirk has so much more. She doesn't feel pain when injured...concerning.

"Hero Name...Unknown," I murmured aloud as my eyes moved to the design he sent me before the Hosu Incident.

The door open, "Sorry that took so long, I-"

I looked up from the notebook, seeing a stunned Izuku...who shortly turned red in the face as he shut his door.

"Uh...which p-page-"

"Kitsunebi."

He stopped short of his uttering, "...Huh?"

"Kitsunebi," I told him again, closing the notebook and studying its appearance, "That's my hero name."

There was silence between us until I felt positive energy oozing into the room. Dared I looked in the direction of the sparkling boy and was overwhelmed with a bright aura and a funny All-Might-like face.

"Great!" he imitated the man's voice, too.

I burst out with laughter, quickly concealing it by placing my hands over my mouth.

"Hahaha...haha, that's..." I tried to catch my breath, "Th-That's a good imitation."

Izuku cracked a genuine smile, "Thanks."

"Now that you know the name." I lifted the notebook in my hand, "I want to know why it looks like this."

"Oh! Th-That?! It's nothing! Really! It may have gotten into a tiny accident because of my carelessness, but I promise, it's nothing too serious! I need to be more mindful of how I handle them, silly me! I'm practicing memorizing everything rather than carrying it with me all the time! You see, I-"

"It was Katsuki, wasn't it?"

His jumpy self immediately turned gloomy as his head fell, "Yeah," he admitted in defeat.

"When did this happen?"

"Sometime before I got my Quirk," he hurriedly answered.

I narrowed my eyes in mock suspicion, "Is there something you're not telling me?"

He stiffened, "Of course not! I don't see any reason to hide anything from you...unless it's absolutely necessary to keep you safe," he quickly mumbled.

"Hah..." I scoffed. "That so...I'll beat Katsuki's ass sooner or later," my comment made Izuku fluster.

'And of course, he's not going to tell me about One-for-All. That's okay, Izu...I already know. But I at least need to let you know something...'

"You know...I haven't been keeping up with how you've been performing in your classes. Make the stats short."

"Overall, good. I...struggle with English here and there, but it's nothing I can't overcome!" he beamed.

I smiled, "Atta boy." I took a quick inhale and exhaled, placing the notebook back on his desk, "I'll always love your positivity. By the way..."

"Hm?"

"Izuku, you're one of the very few people I can trust right now. What I'm about to say...never leave this room, okay?"

A look of self-determination overtook him. He walked over to me, nodding, "I understand."

"...I figured out that I have a new Quirk."

"...eh?" He loosened his body at hearing that, "Isn't that...a good thing?"

"It is...I can cancel out Quirks and pain. This explains why I've been unable to feel pain all these years. I call it Null. Although I can't feel pain, my chances of dying are still highly likely."

"...What?" Distraught fell over his face. "Stop saying stuff like that, Milah-chan. It hurts me to hear you say those things about yourself."

"I..." I shook my head, disregarding his pity. "Gimme your phone."

No questions were asked this time, he immediately went straight for his pocket and fished out his phone, handing it to me.

I grabbed it, swiping the lock screen, surprised that he didn't have a lock on it.

"No lock?"

"What for?" he curiously asked.

"Innocent little thing," I chuckled as I pressed "Add Contacts". "Listen to me. In case something happens to me...I want you to call this number," I gave him his phone after saving the contact.

"Yuiko...Chinen. As in Dr. Chinen?" he questioned.

I nodded, "She's my aunt."

Izuku visibly held back his fanboying which made me let out a mixed chuckle and huff.

I suddenly felt a familiar aura approaching. It wasn't too close, but it was on this campus somewhere.

'Hakim's here...'

"Do not call her unless you feel that something has happened to me and/or if you feel...threatened by an unfamiliar person," I informed him as I picked up my clothes from his carpet and headed to his bathroom.

"Threatened? By who?" he asked, not moving an inch from where he stood when I closed the door.

"A...bad person. It's someone who doesn't have your or my best intentions. I need you to stay on your toes," I summarized, changing out of the shirt and back into my outfit all while taking off my "Do Not Disturb" option, letting the constant chimes of notifications run through.

The 99 missed calls and messages didn't go unnoticed.

"So they're a villain?"

"Yeah, a real messed up one, too," I exclaimed with no hesitation.

"Did you encounter him at the raid?"

"Yeah."

"...so he must've said something to you-"

YOU SEE THE SUNRISE, A NEW DAY'S UPON YOU-

The alarming sound of my ringtone cut Izuku off.

Gasping, I perked up and reached my hand out, activating Psyka until I felt the familiar rectangular device placed in my hand. I answered the line and put it on speaker, continuing to get dressed.

["..."]

"..."

["..."]

I felt the tension through the phone and sweat dropped, "...Heey-"

["I. Don't. Want. To. Hear. It."]

I balled my lips again.

["Where are you,"] Hakim demanded.

"I'm at a... friends. I'm safe."

["Midoriya, Todoroki, or Bakugo,"] he said matter-of-factly. ["I don't know if whoever can hear me or not, but if they can't, relay the message. If I ever find out you're keeping my little sister away from me, it's your career."]

"Hakim! You don't know what the hell you're talking about!" I shouted at him.

"What's going on?!" Izuku frantically asked.

["So it's Midoriya, huh... Ami, why?"]

"Well...to be completely honest with you..." I felt my cheeks warm up, "After what Joon-Woo said, I just can't face him right now! It'd be so awkward and embarrassing being around him, Kimy! For crying out loud, can you blame me?! No one's ever confessed to..."

I thought about it for a moment...then pouted.

"I take that back...what I meant to say was no one's ever confessed to me...like that," I emphasized. "I got nervous and ran off because...because I don't know how to properly deal with those kinds of feelings!"

["..."]

"Milah-chan...?"

"...Aren't you going to say any-"

["For once, you're acting like a real girl...but at the most complicated time,"] Hakim sighed. ["I hope those things you said to him weren't true. He plays everything off, but you know the guy has a soft spot for you."]

I pouted again, "Unfortunately...I meant every word I said. I am undeserving, I don't want anyone to love me...they'll just end up getting hurt."

["You only feel that way because of that one incident. You were just...young, heavily dependent, and impressionable. You don't even know what it means to "love"."]

"And you do?"

["Gotta hell of a better concept than you."]

I chuckled, "You were quite popular at U.A., huh?"

["Don't remind me,"] he groaned. ["Back to the matter at hand...I understand that you don't want to see him at the moment, but at least come back to my apartment. Joon is still with Rika at their place."]

"But aren't you here?"

Hakim chuckled, ["I'm not. But my astral projection is. I've been running around Shizuoka like a damn fool...so I let my projection do the searching. Besides, getting into U.A. would be a difficult task."]

My brows furrowed, "But you're alumni."

["May be so, but you're still reported as "missing". It'd be a little suspicious if I was to show up and "check". Anyway, get your ass over here."]

"...What about..."

["She's not here, and it doesn't look like anyone's been in here."]

"And Uncle Rio?"

He chuckled again, ["He's not here either, but he's called and texted me like crazy. He's worried about us."]

"I'm sure he is. Anything else."

["I'm a little worried for Todoroki."]

I lifted a brow and so did my lips, "What do you mean?"

["Joon...may or may not have, uh...made an enemy out of Todoroki. You know what that means, right?"]

"...Fuck," I groaned. "It's a complete misunderstanding! He knows whoever that person is was disguised as Shoto!" I played coy to the fact of who the intruder was.

The silence from Izu near me didn't go unnoticed. Hopefully, this slides by and he never tries to ask me.

["According to Rika, he feels that the disguised person is related to Todoroki in some way. I'm not gonna hold ya...I got my suspicions about him, too."]

"What?! Not you, too, Hakim-" I feigned.

["Not...that one,"] he emphasized.

My mouth was agape for a moment, thinking about what he meant...until the devastating realization hit me.

Hakim knew something about Toya.

If I warned you about your mother, you both would've known the precautions to take with her, and you both would've been more careful and weary with the people you interact with... Like the Todorokis.

My gaze hesitantly moved to the door where the still quiet broccoli boy was. His aura was closer...he moved to listen in.

"Is Todoroki in trouble somehow?" Izuku jumped. "Wait! I almost forgotten, but Todoroki told me you said you hated him before disappearing! What did you mean by that? Kamilah?! What do you plan on doing to Todoroki?!"

I closed my eyes, "I gotta go," is all I said before ending the phone call and standing up only to feel my feet plant on a wooden floorboard.

The sound of a phone's line hanging up was the only sound that could be heard in the apartment.

"..."

"I knew that'd get you here quick."

"How are you involved?"

"A friend, Natsuo Todoroki."

I pulled my head back in suspicion, "Sho's older brother?"

"Sho...is that a name you came up with to make it seem like you two were on friendly terms?"

"You know nothing."

"I know enough to piece the puzzle."

I scowled as my stomach did somersaults, "...How much do you know?"

"It took a while to earn his trust, but I know Natsuo wouldn't lie to me about anything he's mentioned about his family. I know that he had an older brother named Toya. I know that he didn't exactly fit into the "family picture", so that validates his disappearances with his training. I know that you would visit a friend's house and stay the night from time to time. I know that's the sole reason why our mother made me keep a close eye on you after your discharge from the hospital. I know that Shoto was going through it which is why I let him around you since you were seemingly the only kid he talked to. I know that the friend you visited was none other than Toya Todoroki because of those burn marks...and last night, I looked into an incident about a forest fire that spawned from orangish-red to blue the deeper it went. I know it happened on the same day you came home...nearly dead. I know that he was that imposter at the hospital to gain your trust. I know that Toya Todoroki is still alive, turned into a villain named "Dabi", and he's the one who kidnapped you at the Forest Training Camp. I know that you feel as if it's Shoto's fault for his brother's "death" even happening...simply because he was born."

"..."

"So...you have anything you want to say to me, Kamilah?"

I shrugged, "What do you want me to say, Hakim?"

"You still love him?"

"Yes!" I eagerly answered before slumping my soldiers, a somber expression replacing it, "And I...also take the blame in Toya's..."death"."

"..." Hakim sighed when I opened my eyes to see him leaning back on his desk chair.

"Is there a problem with that?"

"It is."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"...Nothing," he opened his eyes to look directly into mine, "What can I do about it? There's nothing I can do for you because every time I try, it backfires."

I felt a pang of guilt at his self-degradation, "There...there is something you can do about it. Don't tell anyone about this. Please? For me? I can't handle the backlash I'll receive right now."

"So you want me to keep quiet on a villain and let things play out?"

"Whatever happens, happens."

"...I can do this for you, but if it gets to a point where I have to step in, I will. I can only let so much happen to you, Kamilah, and I put that on our "Mama"."

He got a giggle out of me, "I greatly appreciate it, Hakim."

He nodded, "So...Rui knows about both of our situations because of Misuzu. It's safe to assume she invaded my private life, too, from time to time. What do you think he's gonna do about this?"

"I don't know, but I trust Dad. Speaking of Dad, where is he?"

Hakim shrugged, "He and Aunt Yui haven't been picking up their phones. Rika told me they left shortly after we both ran out. I trust that Auntie will watch him and bring him back from...whatever they're doing." He lifted his chin off his fist, "We've got another thing to address. Shoto. How do you feel about him?"

"Honestly speaking, when I met Shoto and recognized who he was, there was this feeling, an urge...the most hardcore desire I've ever felt. I was struggling with the thought of killing Shoto...so Endeavor could know how it feels to take away a precious person you thought was dead for most of your life and put another precious person behind bars who you thought you'd never see again." I closed my eyes, letting out a heavy sigh to relieve the shortly-relieved anger. "But I didn't. I'd be a horrible person if I did that and I wanted to keep Shoto as my friend because I wanted to build enough trust between us to only let it crumble one day. But...Shoto grew on me, bringing my hostility down bit by bit with Izuku and Katsuki's help."

"Bakugo hel-" Hakim shook his head, "Okay, I guess," he sarcastically replied. "So what does that mean?"

"It'll...take time to readjust. I've been on the verge of forgiveness since the camp. However, I'll feel weird around him when I see him again...I can't exactly forgive myself for all the terrible things I thought of doing to him. I...I still hate him, but I don't want to hurt him anymore. That's all...that's all I can give you for now."

"That's...enough for me right now," he sighed out of relief this time.

'But Endeavor will not be spared.'

"What about Jameela?" I asked him.

"We'll proceed with Zurui's plan. If anything pops up with her, I'll deal with it. Just attend the school like normal. Oh! And if Midoriya, Todoroki, or Bakugo tries to get in your business-"

I grinned, "I already know. It should be easy since we're in different classes."

"Alright. Let's wait a week to let tensions settle..."

---

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

I nodded, "For the last time, Kimy, I can hold my own. I am my father's child after all," I said with a genuine beaming smile.

He smiled, "It's been so long..."

I tilted my head, "What do you mean?"

"Since you've had that kinda smile on your face. It's not...fake..."

I looked out the window, "I know...and I'm sorry."

"There's no need to be sorry, Ami. If anything, I'm the sorry one."

I got out of the truck as soon as it came to a stop, "One thing, is anyone here expecting me?"

"Just the staff. They wanted to make it a surprise for your classmates," Hakim grinned.

"You know I don't like surprises, Kimy," I whined.

"I know, but this isn't for you. It's for your classmates. I'm sure they'll be excited to see you."

I shrugged, "After I willingly went with the League? I guess...?"

"You did it for Bakugo's sake so you shouldn't be ashamed."

I blew the strands of my new haircut out of the way, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't go for my own selfish reasons."

"That's...a different subject entirely."

"Mhm," I hummed while closing the door. "I'll text you after school," I shouted, taking off towards the entrance.

Because the gates were closed, I simply teleported behind them and continued my walk. Thankfully, doing that didn't set any alarms off.

"What class am I in right now...?" I wondered aloud to myself.

I looked at the time on my phone. I hurried into the building and slipped on my school shoes to catch the last 30 minutes of my English class.

When I got there, I simply slid open the door and took a few steps in.

Literal silence.

I blinked at my classmates and teacher who stared back at me with shock and bewilderment.

"...Okay, this is awk—agh!"

"SHIMIZU!" Komori and Monoma shouted, overpowering me with a hug.

If it weren't for my Quirk, I would've fallen on my ass.

"Oh, my goodness!" Ibara gasped.

"Where were you?!" Kendo questioned with worry.

"Are you okay?!" Rin shouted.

"You weren't hurt, were you?!" Tetsutetsu yelled amongst the others.

"I thought something serious had happened when your family took over the search for you!" Tsuburaba panicked.

"Don't ever scare us like that again!" Tsunotori whined.

"I cried everyday!" Komori cried.

More concern and cries were thrown my way, overwhelming me to the point of silence because I didn't expect this kind of reaction.

I continued blinking owlishly, 'Huh...so I am liked here? I didn't think my absence would've made much of a difference...'

"WEEEELLLLCOOOOME BAAAAACK, SHIMIZUUUU!" Mister Yamada announced, making everyone flinch and/or cover their ears.

I gave a nervous chuckle, "Uh...glad to be back?"

A bead of sweat dropped on my forehead as I made a closed-eyed smile, 'At this point, I know everyone on this floor knows I'm here.'

---

Lunch.

Great.

I dread it.

Why?

I can't go sit by myself like how I usually do.

No, no, no. Not today. Monoma, Komori, and Kendo made sure I sat with them...and not just them, all of Class 1-B.

I repeatedly tapped my foot against the floor out of anxiety, 'Shit, I left my mela pen at Rika's place...'

"Shimizu."

I pushed my golden-rimmed glasses up once my eyes settled on...Kodai.

"Yes?"

"The new haircut."

I tilted my head, "What about it?"

"I like it."

"Thank you. That blue fire wielding guy burnt my hair off when I used myself as bait at the camp so...I had to get a new haircut."

"I don't like how it happened, but you look pretty with short hair," Kaibara complimented.

A genuine blush spread across my cheeks, 'What the hell? I know not. Did he really just call me "pretty"? I'm not used to hearing that outside of my usual friend group. This shouldn't even be any different from Kodai telling me she likes my hair!'

I kept my smile so as not to reveal my shyness, "Thank you. I think so, too."

"Pretty", huh?" Tsuburaba remarked teasingly.

"Why don't you ask her out next?" Tokage joked.

Surprisingly, Kaibara and I kept neutral expressions as the rest of our classmates laughed and Monoma argued against it while Kendo tried to reason with them.

'Looks like we're both used to bullshit,' I thought nonchalantly.

"Anyways...Shimizu, were the teachers aware of you being here today? If so, why didn't they tell us?" Kendo asked.

"Yeah, they were. I guess they were in on it with my family of my return being a "surprise". I had no say in the matter."

"So where ya been all this time?" Tetsutetsu asked.

I sighed, "In rehabilitation."

Monoma did a double take, "Excuse me? You said you weren't hurt!"

I tapped my finger on my head, "Rehabilitation in here."

He blinked, "...oh..." He then frowned, "It's all because of that explosive brute that this happened to you."

"Hey, now, don't blame him. We were all vulnerable," Awase chimed in.

"Yeah! Also, Shimizu and Bakugo are childhood friends. They're close so of course she wouldn't just have stood by and do nothing," Komori added.

"We're not childhood friends, but let's go with that for now," I rolled on with a sigh.

"Even Midoriya was trying his best, with broken arms might I add. Speaking of Midoriya..." Rin looked at me, "I heard you two went against the villain, Muscular."

"We did."

He narrowed his eyes, "With your bare hands?"

I lifted a brow, "Yes?"

"You don't strike me as the close combat type."

"I am. I like to train my body more than my Quirk. I've been meaning to prove to someone that-"

"You "can kick ass without a Quirk"...right?" a different voice finished my sentence.

Looking up and behind me, to the point my glasses slid on the tip of my nose, I saw a teary-eyed, smiling cinnamon roll.

My eyes widened as a big smile spread on my face. Twisting myself out of my seat, I toppled over the chair as I hugged Izuku who...returned the hug despite falling on his back.

"IZUKU!" I shouted joyously, snuggling my left cheek against his. "I "missed" you so much!" I emphasized "miss" as if I hadn't just seen him last week.

"I "missed" you, too," he laughed but went along with it.

I gasped, lifting myself off of him, "Last time I saw you, I left you hanging, and I didn't consider asking you about your injuries! Are you okay...physically?" I looked him over, checking his arms. "Wait, what the hell am I talking about?! Of course, you're not okay with my fat ass lying on you!"

I scrambled to my feet while he did the same, "Again, you're not fat, a-and you weren't heavy at all!" he stuttered.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better," I groaned as I lightly pinched his freckled cheek.

"I'm not," he reinstated. "And who knows...? M-Ma...maybe f-fat...is good..."

I blinked, crossing my arms and lifting a brow, "Oh, really?"

"Uh-oh, don't let Midoriya put the moves on her, Kaibara!" Tsuburaba teased.

Kaibara simply sighed and shook his head while I slowly turned around to stare at Tsuburaba...menacingly.

"Izuku is my little brother."

"Whoa! Really?!" Komori looked between us. "I don't...um...see the...the resemblance."

"Not biologically," Izuku informed with pink-tinted cheeks.

"He's my brotha from anotha motha," I used my accent.

A sudden tug by my wrist made me crash into something...or someone. I grunted a little from the rough treatment.

Not needing to look up to see my capturer, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in, then slowly let it out.

'It's okay. Just act normal...well, not that there's a "normal" between us. Play it cool.'

I finally looked up into...burning vermilion rubies. We didn't say anything to each other, both of us staring at each other with no intention of looking away.

To others, it looked like we wanted to kill each other.

"...What's this about?" I heard Komori whisper.

"Don't know..." Rin mumbled.

"Kacchan?"

"..."

"Milah-chan?"

"..."

Vermillion rubies...rubies...

Let go or you'll suffocate, Kamilah

The abrupt memory made me lose eye contact with him. I hoped he wasn't about to do what I thought he was going to do in front of everybody. I looked up from my shoes when I regained some confidence, frowning.

"No matter how many times I tell you not to be near me while I'm here, you're like a kicked puppy that keeps coming back. The training camp was an isolated incident."

"Here we go..." Izuku mumbled with a sigh.

"Huh? Wha-" Tetsutetsu was cut short of his question.

"A kicked puppy? As if you weren't one yourself a few weeks ago! You're the one who was coughing up blood!"

I scoffed, "Oh, really?! You would've gotten your ass kicked hadn't I been Captain Save-A-Hoe and gone after your ass weeks ago! No one told you to come after me either!"

"K-Kacchan, Milah-chan...please, calm down."

"Shut it, damn nerd!"

"If he's a nerd, I guess that makes me one, too! So, let me go and don't talk to me!"

"Bakubro, Shimizu just got back..." I noticed the redhead, Kirishima as I remember, behind him along with a pink-skinned and pink-haired girl whose name I remember is Ashido.

"I don't give a shit! She can't just come back like everything is peaches and cream!" he yelled.

"The hell I can't! I'm not hurt, and I'm alive!" I retorted. "You got me all the way fucked up! Acting like a clingy ass boyfriend!"

"Oh wow..." Kodai mumbled.

"You weren't complaining when I saved your ass at the raid!"

"You know, you could've gave me a warning before you were gonna yeet me over that wall?! You're lucky Sh...Todoroki caught me or I'd be beating your ass right now!"

"Ooo..." Tsuburaba instigated.

"Bet your big ass is alright!"

"Oh, screw you, jackass!"

"Same here, chubby!"

"Now, me personally...I wouldn't let him talk to me li-" Ashido also instigated.

"Ashido!" Kirishima scolded her as she giggled.

"Fox!"

"Pomeranian!"

"Peach girl!"

"..."

"Oh, no..." Izuku mumbled. "M-Milah-chan, take deep breaths! I'm sure Kacchan didn't mean it! It'll be okay! Hurtful things can be said when in a heated argument!" he attempted to save Katsuki...

But there was no saving this boy now.

No one can save him now that he's said that.

Katsuki grabbed my bandaged fist that had set ablaze with Psyka's energy. Before I could shake his hand away, a hand grabbed his forearm.

"Don't touch her, Bakugo."

Katsuki's anger seemed to have spiked once he saw the face that matched the voice.

"Same goes for you, Icy Hot," he seethed, snatching his arm away from us both.

"Todoroki, I can take care of myself," I muttered, glancing away from him.

Shoto's mismatched eyes expressed confusion at that, but he let it slide...for now.

"I believe you can, but I don't like how you've gotten this heated because of Bakugo."

"So bold!" Komori squeaked.

"Ohh, I see what's going on here now..." Ashido said with a playful smile.

Katsuki scoffed. Keeping his eyes on Shoto, he pulled me close by wrapping an arm around my left side.

"You wanna go, Icy Hot? I got plenty of reasons to fight you right now."

Meanwhile, I'm struggling and pushing against Katsuki's torso to get away from the two.

'Oh, shit...He's way too close. Closer than last week. Wait, wait...how many? Two, four, six...a forming eight...No! Focus!'

"Katsuki, let me go!" I shouted, looking at him. "No way in hell are you getting me caught up between you two! Whatever beef you both have, leave me out of it!"

I broke out of Katsuki's hold on me. As soon as I did, I took this opportunity to snatch a flustered Izuku away from the scene to do us all a favor...

And by us, I mean me. I can't face Shoto right now, Katsuki is pissing me off, and I need to talk to Izuku in private.

"Let's go, Izu. We don't need this..." I turned around, looking at Katsuki up and down before continuing onward, "Explosive dynamite."

"Milah-chan, where are we-"

I quickly teleported us beneath a familiar tree. I let go of Izuku's hand once he got a grip on his balance.

With utmost ease, I scaled the tree and sat down on the branch, quickly pulling out my mela pen from my pocket.

"Shit, I needed this since I walked in class..." I started the pen and took a deep inhale.

"Milah-chan, why did you drag us all the way—WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" he exclaimed with shock.

"My coping mechanism," I blew the smoke out. "It's not a vape nor is it weed. It's just a stick filled with natural herbs to calm the nerves and body."

"How long have you been..."

"Ever since 13. It's a healthier alternative than overdosing on morphine."

"...You used to do that?"

I nodded, "To not feel the mental effects, but what was prescribed only gave me so little to work with. I felt numb...and I wanted to feel something. Although, this isn't why I dragged you out here to talk about."

"Then...what is it?"

"Izuku, I've come to the conclusion that...we need to train together."

"...Eh?"

I sighed out another smoke, "It's about that villain, remember? You already forgot what I said a week ago?"

"No, I didn't forget. It's just that you left on such short notice...and with what your brother said about Todoroki, and you suddenly coming back is...a little overwhelming."

"Imagine what it's like for me," I commented, taking another inhale of mela. "Anyway, yeah, we need to train."

Izuku flinched at that, "How do you expect me to do that? My Quirk is still new to me and I still break some of my bones. What if I hurt you?"

"So what do you suggest I do?" I sighed, nodding in understanding.

Izuku's gaze shifted between me and the ground, fidgeting, "Well...you're not gonna like it."

"At this point, I'm down for whatever so shoot, give it to me."

"...You might want to train with someone else while I work on myself."

I finally let the smoke out, "Mhm..."

"Someone who knows you well..."

"...yeah..." I said uneasily.

"Kacchan!" he chirped as if nothing was wrong.

"What-"

"It makes sense. If this villain is someone you encountered at the raid and a threat to you, then they're also a threat to Kacchan!" he chirped again with determination this time.

I stared down at Izuku, upper lip lifted that showed off some of my teeth, expressing my disdain at his chipper mood.

"...I see I rubbed off you a lil'...and I'll...think about asking that aggressive hothead. Speaking of agressive, what the hell was that shit you pulled last week?"

His eyes popped open and confusion settled in those forest-green emeralds, "What do you mean?"

"Oh? You don't remember? Well, let me spin back around the block. Your bedroom, morning time, right before someone interrupted."

"Umm-"

"What were you saying about Katsuki? I'm honestly curious to hear what you had to say. I've never seen you like that before. So...bothered. What were you going to say, Izuku?"

"I...I don't recall anything like that," he quickly defended.

"...Really now? So I was just imagining you trapping me on your bed?"

"No...it's just that...I was upset about the things you were saying about yourself. I don't remember anything during that time." His head lowered to the grass, "So if I did something that bothered you...I'm sorry. I just..really...care about you."

"..."

"..."

I smiled, "I care about you, too, Izuku. That's why I asked. You were...speaking your mind. Kinda like a crime of passion, but without the murder," I giggled the last part out.

He nervously chuckled, but his head stayed down. "I guess...you're right..."

"But that still doesn't answer my question. What doesn't Katsuki deserve?"

"Uh..."

"My attention?"

"It's not that-"

"Then what is it? My time? My support?...As much as that asshole doesn't recognize it."

"No, nothing like that!"

"Don't need to sound so pressed, Izu. It's just a simple question. Even if your response is negative, I won't be phased. You have every right to talk shit about Katsu. I don't blame you."

"It's not so much as that... It's just that I feel Kacchan doesn't...quite...deserve you."

I blinked, tilting my head like a bird, "...I'm sorry? Come again?"

"What I mean is...you and Kacchan, despite your differences...aren't you both close?"

I crossed my right leg over the other, intertwining my fingers together on my lap, and leaning over to get a better look at the broccoli boy who's shrunk into his shell.

"Close? What do you...what do you mean by that? By "close"? I need a definition, an explanation right now."

"Well...thinking back to how you interacted at the training camp, saving him, and how you both interacted not too long ago, I-I figured that...y-you an-and Kacchan are...t-together. I-I mean...you obviously trust h-him more than you do with me—a-anybody else!"

I chuckled, "First of all, sweetheart...me and Katsuki aren't dating so take that "Kacchan doesn't deserve me" nonsense out of your head. Second of all, I trust Katsuki enough to not put my business out there so I could get "help"—no offense to you, by the way. Third of all, he was my help, step-by-step. Fourth of all, I didn't want to get you involved in my personal problems because you've had enough on your plate and...you're the innocence I want to protect that I've failed to protect in myself."

"...Was I...not enough?"

My posture tensed, hearing his voice crack a little, "What?"

"Was I not...trustworthy enough? I understand that I'm incompetent in a lot of areas that Kacchan can fill in, but...I at least thought you trusted me enough to know what he knows about you."

"...Izuku, I'm sorry. I'm sorry as hell that I haven't told you what I've told Katsuki. I made you feel left out. Instead of protecting you, I ended up hurting you. Even though I've apologized, I feel that there's no amount of apologies to undo what I've done-"

"I forgive you, Kamilah...on one condition."

"...What is it?"

---

As uncomfortable as I am...I agreed to do this for Izuku.

The peppermint-colored hair in front of me shifted as the owner looked between me and the viridian sitting on my right.

I averted eye contact with the curious boy, the guilt building up in my throat. It felt like I couldn't breathe, my body felt warm all over, and I felt jitters creep up on me from time to time.

"Midoriya...what's this about?"

"I just want confirmation and the tru-"

I slammed my hands on the small wooden table, "I-I need mela!"

"...What?"

Todoroki owlishly blinked at me as I stood up while Izuku was fumbling to get me to sit back down, but I gently swatted him away as I moved across the room to his balcony door.

"Milah-chan, it'll be okay! You can do this!" Izuku tried to encourage me.

"Yeah, as soon as I get a puff in," I mumbled as I stepped out on the balcony door and slipped my pen from inside my blazer.

The sunset would've been comforting hadn't I got myself in this situation. However, it's only right I give the answers Izuku is looking for and confirm things with Todoroki.

Placing the pen between my lips, I noticed the blue light blinking on it, meaning I had a few drags left.

"Alqarf, why now?"

"Language, Milah-chan!" Izuku chided which didn't surprise me at all since he caught on to some words I'd say in Arabic. "I'm sorry for barging in on you like this, Todoroki. Milah-chan has bad anxiety so she uses that...what's it called?"

"Mela," I answered, taking my first drag.

"Me...la?"

"Melatonin pen, herbs crunched up like a tea bag to calm down."

"Yeah...that. She used that to calm down so you don't have to worry about the smell or its effects on her. Plus...our visit is very important."

I felt eyes on the back of my head and there was a brief silence. Normally, Todoroki's silence would be comforting and not awkward at all.

This time, it was different.

"I figured," he finally said something. "Kamilah."

My body stiffened so I only moved my head in the direction of his voice to let him know I was listening.

"Mrs. Shimizu...is she as terrible as Dr. Chinen says she is?"

"...What?"

"Is Mrs. Shimizu...wait, Dr. Chinen didn't tell you?'"

I turned around, staring at him skeptically, "Didn't tell me what?"

"So she didn't," he sighed. "During one of my visits to her, your-"

"Visits..." I made the word stick out.

"Yeah. Oh, I never told you that Dr. Chinen is my family's therapist. I found it not important to tell you at the time because I didn't think it mattered. But once you got to U.A. and I noticed you made daily visits to her office after school, I wondered-"

"How long?" I sighed, then glared at him, "How long has my Aunt been the Todoroki family's therapist?"

"A couple of months...after...what happened with...my elder brother."

"..."

"Breathe, Milah-chan," Izuku noticed my distress.

Taking a shaky inhale, I slowly exhaled, trying to redirect my anger from Shoto, but it was difficult.

I closed my eyes, not wanting either of them to try to read me. "I won't make any assumptions about my Auntie withholding this information from me because I haven't been in contact with her for some time."

"Kamilah, I won't say I know exactly what's going on, but...I need answers. Is it true that Mrs. Shimizu was emotionally, mentally...and physically abusing both you and your brother?"

"..." My eyes moved to Izuku, "...Leave."

"Huh?"

"I don't need you hearing this conversation."

For once in a rare few times, Izuku frowned and shook his head 'no'. "I'm sorry for my selfishness, but this is a chance for me to learn something about you other than what you display on the surface. I mean it when I say I want to help. And...I'm not as innocent as you think I am to hear these kinds of things now, Milah-chan. I'm aware that there are corrupt heroes exist."

"..."

"Milah-chan, please..."

I covered up my intense stare with a closed-eyed fox smile, "I supposed you do have a right to know...how one of your idealized heroes abuse the hell out of me."

Izuku's frown deepened, "...I know what you're trying to do and it's not going to work, Milah-chan."

My gaze lingered on the self-determined cinnamon roll until it didn't and shifted back to heterochromatic ones.

"What happened," I demanded.

"...So much happened within those few minutes and processing it while keeping up was difficult. Dr. Chinen...mentioned how your mother threw things at you, bruised and scratched you, neglected your brother, and claimed that the doctor was trying to steal you two away from her. Your mother denied these allegations, but I know they're true." Shoto looked me directly in his eyes, "You're clever...for not showing your true colors."

"...You make it sound like I'm the bad guy," I responded immediately.

"You're not. I'm...upset that you hid this from me, and from what I can tell, Midoriya doesn't know the truth either."

"I don't," Izuku confirmed.

"Another thing I wanted to ask is...Zurui your father?" Shoto questioned. "Dr. Chinen said his name a few times. She said something about Mr. Shimizu not taking his place as a father but as a father figure, and that he used to be a villain. Also, your mother claimed he...kidnapped you? I didn't want to assume anything..."

"A villain?" Izuku looked between me and Shoto. "What is he talking about, Kamilah?"

I "smiled", "...Zurui Shimizu is my father. He was...what you call a villain. He didn't kidnap me...he was trying to get me away from that crazy bitch you call my mother. She...is part of the reason why I'm fucked up now."

"Milah-"

"No, Izuku. This is what you wanted to hear so I'm gonna give you the raw details of how I've been raised," I snapped at him, making him flinch and pipe down. "I have an incurable neurological disease because she didn't want to get her mental trauma treated. This disease didn't affect my brother, but he's suffering the consequences from something else, we call it the Shimizugawa Curse. I won't get into the nitty-gritty, but just know it makes 2 children of every generation terminally ill...in a certain capacity."

"I'll come back to that. But now that you've confirmed Zurui Shimizu is your father...there's something else you're not telling us."

"And what else do you think I'm hiding, huh?"

"...Shortly after I caught you in my arms, you said you hate me, didn't you, Kamilah?"

"...I'm trying...not to-"

"Now I know," he cut me off. "Knowing that you were telling the truth...doesn't feel good...like I'd expect it to, but...I'm relieved I know now. It wouldn't get off my mind, I was paranoid about it all this time."

I didn't move, somewhat unnerved by his calm and odd response.

"You hate me...because of my father. What I had...is something you didn't because my father imprisoned yours, right?"

I eyed him carefully, wondering how he knew this information.

"Does that explain Mrs. Shimizu's behavior toward you? Because she couldn't put her husband behind bars, she regretted it...and looks at you with fear?"

My unoccupied left hand squeezed the rail. I turned away from the two because I'm sure I had a feral expression with how hard I was gritting my teeth and eyes pinched shut.

"I did some research of my own, looked into my father's cases after what happened to you in Hosu. It's a familiar story, isn't it? I...I didn't know anything about your family nor did I really know you. I didn't know about your suffering. I didn't know about your stress. I didn't know about your struggles. And because I invested myself in the fantasy you created for me, I apo-"

"Don't."

"..."

"Milah-chan?" Izuku squeaked.

"Hate...is an emotion that doesn't fade away easily...even if it's for a ridiculous reason such as this." I looked over my shoulder enough to stare him in the eyes, "I don't need your pity or your apology. You did nothing."

"..." I was always one of the rare people able to elicit some emotion to display on his stoic face. What stares back at me is only something I could describe as... disturbing. "Exactly. I didn't do anything. I didn't do anything for you...but how could you expect me to when you didn't even tell me."

I turned my head back to the sunset, taking one of the last few drags of mela. I tried to relax my posture...

"The nerve you have to ask me that bewilders me, Shoto. Tell the enemy of my enemy my vulnerability? You're out of your damn mind. What I can tell you is that I don't want to kill you anymore."

"...I'll take what I can get," he replied.

"Also...I don't want to say I don't feel anything toward you now because, in my head, that means I absolutely feel nothing for the person who fucked me over, or contributed to it. In technicalities...you didn't."

"..."

"..."

"We can't remain friends either...not that that was ever the case, but I don't want you to get close to me again. I feel guilty for the things I was planning to do to you to simply get back at Endeavor. Let's just say...it'll take a while for me to forgive myself."

"..."

"...I believe you...and I trust you to do whatever it is you have to do to cope with that," Izuku broke the brief ice of silence.

I hummed, looking off into the distance.

"...You hate me to the point you wanted to kill me. Is that how you felt? Because you thought you'd never see your father ever again?"

"...Yes."

"I completely understand now."

I bitterly chuckled, "What? Aren't you scared? Surely, thinking about every moment we've spent together...knowing that I was plotting on your demise, scares you, right? Shouldn't that make you not want to be near me?"

"If it were by your hand...I wouldn't mind." Shoto's response made Izuku hum in concern. "Midoriya, you were right."

"Huh? Right about what?"

"She'll say anything to push away someone who gets too close to her."

I jolted hearing that...then he dared to chuckle. "How dare you? After what we just discussed, do you find this funny? Just because I have no desire to kill you anymore doesn't mean my hatred is gone."

"If you want me to know how much you hate me...I'll listen to you."

I pushed myself from the rail, making a spin into the room, and directly stomped down to his level, blowing smoke in his face.

"Don't ever say some shit like that to me ever again...and until I say so, don't speak to me."

"Milah-chan, you don't need to be so harsh. I understand how you feel, but how you're acting towards Todoroki now is uncalled for," Izuku attempted to rationalize with me.

It took a short look of warning at Izuku to make him jump and bite his bottom lip to be quiet. His gaze moved to the table as his fists clenched on his lap.

"As I was saying, you will not talk to me until I say so. I have a lot to sort out in this clutter fuck I call a brain." I bent up from the stunned peppermint boy before making my way to his door.

"Wait, Milah-chan! You didn't give Todoroki any closure-"

"I'm aware that the License Exam is coming up. This means we're going to be fighting tooth and nail against other schools. I'm willing to work with either of you..." I looked over my shoulder at the two speechless boys, "There's your closure."

With that, I opened the door and closed it behind me. Walking a little ways to exit the hall, I looked down at each side of the hall to see if anyone else was around.

As soon as I had seen there was no one, I let out a heavy sigh, placed my hands over my heart, and closed my eyes.

'Things are moving a little too fast. I need to sort my thoughts about Toya before I even consider how to determine how Todoroki and I interact.' A worried expression crossed my face...

The last time I interacted with him was-...my face felt warm remembering the last time we were together. 'I...miss his warmth. I hope he's taken care of himself since our last encounter...'

Does that make me a terrible person?

I like the guy who wants to hurt...or even kill his brother, that brother being the same one who thought we were friends, and both of them being the sons of the hero that I hate just as much as the woman who birthed me.

'Maybe...just maybe...I can convince Toya to change his mind. I could convince him that...I'm enough. Aren't I? Shouldn't I be enough? He doesn't have to seek revenge.'

The sudden image of that woman who calls herself a mother came to mind...an early memory of her smiling at my father.

I shook my head, 'That sounds stupid as hell, Ami. I'm studying to be a psychotherapist. Am I serious? All of that anger from neglect and rejection has to have boiled over all of these years. I can't change Toya; no one can change anyone, that person has to be willing to change themselves. But...there has to be a way to direct Toya's anger from Shoto to Endeavor only. I'm not willing to risk the other two siblings, especially knowing Natsuo is Hakim's friend.'

I rubbed the few strands hanging from my haircut back, gripping my scalp, "How the hell am I gonna do this?"

I heard a gasp, "It's her..." I heard a guy's voice in the opposite direction of the elevator.

"Act normal," whispered another voice.

They both sounded familiar so I turned my head in the direction, quickly looking them over. It was the redhead, Kirishima, from earlier at lunch who tried to calm Katsuki down, and the yellow-haired boy, Kaminari, whose hair resembles Pikachu's design.

I waved, "Hi."

They didn't verbally respond, but both of their eyes moved behind me, looking down the hall I was standing in front of before their eyes returned to me.

To quickly dismiss their assumptions, I waved my hand and shook my head.

"Todoroki and I are just acquaintances. I let him borrow something, and I just came here to get it back." I bowed my head, "I'll be taking my leave."

"Wait!" Kirishima shouted, making me stop before I could move. "Uh, I just wanted to apologize..."

I tilted my head, "Apologize? For what?"

"For you and Bakugo...being captured. I couldn't do anything to help out back at the camp. If I had been there, you wouldn't have to pull what you pulled at the camp."

I lifted a brow, "You know about me tryna save that angry pomeranian?"

He nodded, "Everyone does, but...he told me himself...and he was angry at himself for letting something like that happen. That's why...I wanted to apologize to you, and I already had to him."

"Me, too!" Kaminari added.

I burst out laughing, making the two stare up at me with bizarre expressions. They looked in between each other, then back at me. I calmed down enough to speak clearly.

"Haha...oh, that's, hehe...that's hilarious. I admire your concern and bravery, but I think the situation would've turned out the same regardless of your presence. That blue flame wielder was quite adamant about capturing me...specifically."

The two seemed to be stunned just as the last two boys I not too long ago talked to had been.

"By the way...thank you for being friends with Katsuki..." I looked down at the floor, frowning, "He's...going to need to them... I feel that it's only a matter of time..."

"A matter of time of what?" his abrupt gruff voice sounded out of nowhere, making me look in the other direction.

I scowled, immediately putting up my defenses, "None ya business."

"I heard my name in your mouth so it is my business," he grumbled. His eyes moved to the hall behind me. "The hell were you in his room for?"

I deadpanned, "I don't like repeating myself. For the last time, none ya business."

He began to approach me, but I held my hand out, using Psyka to keep him mid-stride. "Let me go, Fox..." he growled.

"No. And after what you did today? Hell no!" I shouted at him.

"That's only because you started it! Disappearing and reappearing as if shit is sweet!"

"I have my reasons, you know that as well as I do!"

"Exactly. You have your reasons. Ever thought that you're the problem sometimes?"

As soon as those words left Katsuki's mouth, his eyes widened, seemingly instantly regretting them at the sight of my eyes drooping and the confidence in my chest deflating.

Feelings...right...Katsuki Bakugo hurting Kamilah Shimizu's feelings is something that doesn't exist.

"...Allaena...laqad jaealani akil kalimati bialfiel."

"What did she just say?" Kaminari curiously asked.

"AH?!" Katsuki ignorantly yelled. "All I heard was "fuck"!"

"You misheard, louthmouth. I said...you...don't understand how many times I've thought that in the back of my mind."

There was a tense silence between the both of us until a hesitant voice spoke up to break the ice.

"So...I don't mean to interrupt whatever it is you two got going on, but...are you both dating?" the Pikachu-looking boy asked.

Our gaze shifted to him, making him tense and hide behind the redhead.

"Me?"

Katsuki and I looked at each other, both giving the other indescribable looks.

"Date him?"

"Date her?"

"I-I didn't mean any of that in a negative context! I was just curious because you two always seem to be around each other! Kacchan is loud and angry while, from what I can see, Shimizu is calm and collected! Ya know what they say! Opposites attract!" he tried to add a positive note at the end.

"..."

"..."

"...I don't think you should've said that," the redhead whispered.

"Hmmm..." I hummed. "Well...I'm not entirely opposed to dating Katsuki." My eyes moved back to him, playfully sizing him up as I ran past him, "So long as he gets that proudful stick out of his ass! Which is never!"

As soon as I got past him and into the elevator, I pressed the button like a maniac as my kinesis wore off on him to which he immediately ran after me.

"I don't know if you remember, but the name's Eijirou Kirishima by the way!" the redhead shouted.

"And Kaminari! Nice seeing—I mean, meeting you again, Shimizu!"

I gave them a wave, "Just Milah!"

The door closed just in time; the last thing I saw was angry red eyes and the last thing he saw was cunning blue eyes.

I leaned against the rail behind me, cupping my warm cheeks and shaking my head.

'He's the only one that gets me acting up like this... It's not like that, it can't be that...I'm no good for him.'

---

A/N:

"...Allaena...laqad jaealani akil kalimati bialfiel" translates to "...Fuck...he's already making me eat my words.".

I wanted to do a double update, but I needed to add more to end this chapter on a better note than I had originally planned. I also needed to make sure everything was written in the order I wanted it to be. Again, this is gonna be a chapter I might have to come back to and edit. Because I'm a simp for Shoto and Toya/Dabi, I want to leave Kamilah's feelings for Shoto on a cliffhanger until I figure them out. / Huh...the irony...I love Shoto, but I'm making my OC hate him...

10/31/23 UPdate:

So I don't normally do a separate author's note, but this is too important.

I just realized a major mistake in my writing...and I'm so embarrassed. I mixed up some arcs. The Provisional Hero License Exam arc happens before Katsuki figures out Deku's Quirk is One-for-All. As a person who's supposed to be up to date on her anime facts, I hate myself for this. I was literally about to do a double update that expands on the Shimizu and Fujisaki families, but I'm glad I didn't...or this would be a whole mess more than it already is. Or maybe not since it strays from the storyline which is something I was planning on doing by chapters 15 or 16.

I apologize for going away for months only to realize this and update everyone on my own mistake. I will inform you as much as I can until I have everything fixed. I ask that you have just a little bit more patience because I'm also in my last few courses of college. ToT

11/1/23 UPdate:

Just re-edited this entire thing due to the mistake I mentioned in "Chapter 12" I will be putting that statement here above this update once I publish chapters 12 and 13. Why? To remind me to check my facts before I publish them; I am a disgrace in the anime community and deserve to be reminded of my transgression against humanity, lol. In all seriousness, Chapters 12 and 13 are complete, but will probably need more editing if I notice anything wrong or I don't quite like it.

11/13/23 UPdate:

This is another update that I've cleared up my mistake...and I can now continue with my life without thinking I'm a failure. Thank you. Chapter 14 is in the works.