Denki followed Nurse Hayashi down the hall. They had ascended from the sub-level of the ER to the fifth floor. They were crossing across the Nurses' Station when Denki's eyes caught something at the edge of his vision. "Something pink…" He stumbled to a stop before looking across the Station to a room along the far wall.

"Sir?" called the nurse as he noticed the pause.

Denki started to move. "W-Wait, hang on."

Nurse Hayashi stepped over, putting a hand on the other's shoulder. "Sir, you were only given permission to see one patient."

"Can't we just get permission again?" he questioned. "I mean the door's open!"

The man sighed before shaking his head. "God, just shush." He led Denki over to the room. "Come on." Then, after checking the paper beside the door, he knocked on it. "Excuse me, Ms., Mr. Ashi-"

Denki's mouth moved before the man finished. "Ashido! It's me! Kaminari!"

"Kaminari!?" cried Ashido.

That response told Denki it was fine to brush past the nurse, the tall man, the lady that looked a lot like Jirou, and… well, Jirou. "Hey! Are you okay?"

"Can we… come in…" muttered Nurse Hayashi.

Ashido beamed, "I'm okay!" as she awkwardly hugged her friend. When they parted, she asked, almost laughing, "What're you doing here!?"

"I'm glad to hear it!" he chuckled. "I'm here to see Midoriya,"

She nearly gasped, "Midoriya?" Her brow furrowed, "Wait, you know what happened?"

"I overheard a police radio when I got back from Hosu City." He recalled, "Injured in Musutafu and how Woods and Mount-Lady were involved." He shook his head. "I had to see if you guys were okay."

"What were you doing in Hosu City?" asked Jirou, stepping forward.

"Long story." He nudged her shoulder with the swing of his arm. "You?"

Her jacks curled as she rubbed her arm. "Death-Arms was the last on the scene. He let me ride with Ashido."

Denki turned to her. "What happened?"

"A fire villain attacked Woods." She shook her head. "It was crazy, but… have you heard from Shinso at all?"

"No…" Denki sighed, putting his hands on his hips. "He got caught in this too?"

"We all did," said Ashido, frowning and deflating.

He then offered, "Hey, maybe I'll see him along the way like you."

She let out a sigh before nodding, "Yeah, maybe."

Jirou cleared her throat. "Look, uh, Midoriya's here?"

He nodded, "I was being taken to his room just now."

"He has a room… Good… That's good," she murmured, nodding to herself.

The woman that had the same Quirk as Jirou stepped forward. "Um, would it be too much for Kyoka to come with you?"

"Mom?"

"You're clearly worried," she said. "You should go see him, and give yourself some peace of mind." When her daughter still seemed hesitant, she insisted, "Please?"

Jirou sighed before turning to Denki. "Can I?"

He shrugged, "I don't see why not."

"Don't-" started Nurse Hayashi before cutting himself off.

"Once you're done visiting Midoriya, you can meet me in the lobby with your father," she concluded.

"Uh…" Denki's eyes narrowed as he pointed at the blue-gray man. "That's not him, right?"

Jirou gave him an incredulous look. "No! He's Ashido's dad."

On que, the man stepped forward, offering his hand. "Nice to meet ya, Naoki."

He shook it, "Hi, Denki," then turned, "And…"

She shook his offered hand. "Mika."

"Jirou Mika," he concluded, nodding, "Denki."

Jirou cut in between them, shaking her head. "Okay, that's enough."

Denki looked past her and towards the nurse. "Can she come with?"

Hayashi's hand smacked against his face. He pushed off the doorframe he was leaning on, shaking his head. "We'll see at the door." He started to lead them out of the room. "Come on."

"Tell Midoriya I'm fine!" called Ashido. "And make sure he's okay!"

"We will," assured Jirou.

Denki gasped, pointing, as they stepped into the hall. "Hey!" In the process, his arm nearly smacked Jirou in the face. "Is that Shinso's Dad?"

She glared at him as Hayashi nearly smacked the boy's hand. "NO!" He crossed his arms like an 'X' in front of his torso. "STOP inviting people into this!"

-XXX-

Kyoka watched the surprise emerge across Inko's face when she opened the door. "Kaminari…" The lady probably just expected one excitable blonde and the nurse guiding him, but also got a violet-haired girl and a tall, lanky man who definitely smoked. "Jirou and Mr. Shinso?"

Katashi bowed his hand, raising an apologetic hand. "Sorry for hitching along, ma'am." He cleared his throat. "But, uh… My son was real worried about yours." He scratched at the stubble along his jaw. "Heard he was alright. I just wanted to make sure for his sake, you know?"

"He's…" She smiled, nodding, "He's okay…"

Katashi smiled back. "That's great." He let out a sigh of relief, patting the nurse on his shoulder, as he stepped back. "Thanks." He started to leave. "You can tell him my son's okay, too."

Inko nodded, "I will. Thank you." As the man left, her gaze dropped to the three standing before her. "How're you two?"

"I'm doing okay," said Kaminari.

Kyoka offered, "How are you?" She noticed the faded red under Inko's eyes and the hint of pink on her nose. "She's been crying a lot…"

Inko's smile turned tired for a moment as she slowly nodded. "It's been a long night." She cleared her throat before stepping back and holding open the door. "Please."

"Thank you," said Kyoka as she stepped past.

Kaminari nodded, "Thanks."

"I'm sorry for the 'party'," offered Nurse Hayashi.

She responded, "It's fine. Thank you for bringing them here."

Though, admittedly, she wasn't paying that much attention to that particular conversation. She was too busy looking at Midoriya. "He's awake…" She remembered the bloody char that decorated the exposed sections of Midoriya's skin from earlier in the night. She felt the tension leave her body as she saw naught a mark of those burns - just the bandages. Though, that tension was replaced with a knot in her stomach. "Is that really all I can think about…? How gross he isn't…?" Her eyes narrowed for a moment as she focused, "Is he skinnier…?"

"Hey," he said softly, almost tiredly. In front of him was a folded-out table with an empty bowl of what was, probably, soup.

Kaminari chuckled, stepping over to Midoriya's bedside. "Hey yourself." His smile faded as he looked Midoriya up and down. "You alright, man?"

"Yeah, somehow." He shook his head. "In spite of everything." He took a breath before asking, "Have either you heard about Ashido or Shinso?"

Kyoka chimed in, informing Midoriya about Ashido and her Dad, before his mother spoke about Shinso's father and his assurance. Then, Kyoka added what she heard about Woods from both the nurse earlier that night and Ashido.

"They're all okay?" Midoriya relaxed in his bed, nodding, "That's… good. Fantastic…" He took in a breath. "I don't suppose either of you've heard from Mount-Lady."

"Y-Yeah!" Kaminari shared a look with Jirou and Inko. "Er, well, not her, but from your manager—dude? She got the guy from the attack."

"She did!?" exclaimed Inko.

Kaminari's head swiveled, looking between Midoriya and his Mom. "Yeah, apparently, he was wrapped up in a neat little bow for her."

Midoriya's eyes narrowed, "Huh?" His head shook, "Wait, what? He was already taken down or something?"

"Yeah—or, so I've heard," replied Kaminari.

Midoriya's head lowered slightly as a dreadful look crossed his face.

"You alright?" asked Kyoka.

He slowly nodded, "Yeah, yeah… Fine…" He lifted his head. "That's… That's good news… I shouldn't…" He cleared his throat. "Nevermind."

Inko walked across the room to the other side of the bed. "At least you're safe from him…" Her hand took his shoulder, squeezing, "That's what matters."

"Yeah…" he murmured.

There was a knock on the door before it was opened by a nurse. "Mrs. Midoriya, your bedding." She and another nurse pulled the temporary bed into the room, setting it up on the fair end of the room.

As they left, Inko said, "Thank you," as she stood near the door.

Kyoka pulled out her phone, only just now feeling the weight of her eyelids. "It is pretty late."

"Yes, you both should head home," concurred Inko. "Sleep in your own beds."

"Crap…" Kaminari whispered to her. "There's no way a train's gonna be running right now."

"Your parents?" offered Kyoka.

"This late? Mom's probably working and Dad's in snoozeville" He shrugged, "I'd still need a train ride to get there."

She thought to herself for a moment before nudging him. "Come with me downstairs. I'm sure my Mom'll give you a ride."

"Really?" He smiled.

Kyoka returned it with a flat look. "My Dad'll give you an earful, but he's toothless."

His brow furrowed, "Uh… Okay?"

Once that plan was settled, they turned to Midoriya who offered, "You two have a good night. Stay safe."

Kaminari gave him a hug. "You too." When they parted, he asked, "When you get your phone back, text us?"

"I will."

Kyoka didn't really approach. Her hands fidgeted as her jacks shifted. "Get well soon?" she offered.

He chuckled, "I'll do my best."

She took a breath, crossing her arms, and nodding. "You better." She gave her best smile before offering farewells to Inko with Kaminari. After that, they descended the building and Kyoka endured the awkward reunion between her father and the blond.

-XXX-

"Look, I don't have time for this," said Yu as she tried to brush past Ingenium.

He reached after her. "Please, I just need to know if that villain said anything strange or out of the ordinary." They both stood before the entrance of the hospital's main building. After Ichimoku's call informed her about Midoriya, she was meant to meet him there, but due to their need to contact Shiketsu, he offered to take his place. Initially, she was thankful, but that gratefulness quickly dissipated after his first line of questions.

Yu spun on her heel, scowling, "What exactly is ordinary about tonight?" Iida backed away – guilt crossing his face. That, in turn, inflicted her too, so she sighed, brushing locks from her face. "Look, I don't know what you think is going on or what you're trying to do exactly." She shook her head. "But, if you want to come up with some theory as to what happened tonight, wait for the police to take our statements, alright?" She turned, heading towards the door.

"Mount-Lady!"

She waved her hand. "Thank you for sending Ichimoku home! Get some sleep." She stepped through the automatic doors. "After we all talk to the police, we'll give 'em your number!"

"But-"

She said, "Good night, Ingenium!"

He almost followed her in. "Takeyama!"

"Good night!" she finished as she stepped in front of the receptionist's desk. She heard him sigh as he gave up his chase. Then, after some, admittedly, shameful begging, she was permitted to see Midoriya. Though, it was a bit of an awkward walk to his room because the nurse walking her up kept looking over his shoulder as if she was going to bolt off at the first distraction. "Had a rough night, Nurse Hayashi…?"

Eventually, he knocked on a door, and when it opened, instead of the boy she knew, it was a woman. "Nurse Hayashi." Her darkly-colored eyes were still puffy, but they had clearly lessened. Mainly, it was overtaken by the clear exhaustion across her face. Her green hair was a bit messy – like she was laying in bed moments ago.

"I'm sorry to bother you again, Ms. Midoriya," he said. "Mr. Midoriya has another visitor."

Yu felt her shoulders involuntarily tense. "Ms… Midoriya…" She felt her skin turn bubbling as heat crawled down the back of her neck and along her spine.

Ms. Midoriya's gaze shifted to her. "Ah… Mount-Lady…" She looked into the dark room. "He just fell asleep. Let's let him stay like that." She pulled her cardigan tight as she stepped out of the room. "We do need to talk." When the door clicked shut, she asked Hayashi. "Is there a lounge we could talk in?"

"Uh, yes…" said Hayashi before leading them down the hall.

If the walk before was awkward, this was utterly sickening. "God… it's like I'm back home…" Her budding anxiety was turning into waves of nausea. She started to flex her hands, fidgeting, but she winced as pain shot up her arms. She looked down at the bandages crossing her hands. She bit back a sigh when they found seats in the lounge.

Yu was thankful for the time of night – it meant the place was nearly completely empty. "Most of the overnight visitors must be spending the night in their family's rooms…"

After thanking the nurse, Inko found a pair of seats for the two of them. "Please."

Yu swallowed, "Thank you…"

"I…" Ms. Midoriya took a breath. "I don't really know what happened, you see…" She fidgeted with the hem of her cardigan. "Mr. Ichimoku gave me an idea. It was all… unfortunate. You needed to help a colleague… He wanted to protect his friends… Neither of you could've known." She raised her head. "You told him to stay away."

"I…" Yu slowly nodded, "I didn't want him anywhere near the villain, but…"

"The villain went after him anyway…"

Yu's hands gripped her knees. "It was… It was my responsibility to keep him safe, and… I couldn't…" Her jaw clenched for a moment. "Is he?"

Ms. Midoriya gave the barest of smiles. "He's okay." Tears glinted in her eyes as she sniffled. "Thankfully, he's… going to be okay."

"Ms. Midoriya…" She reached out to the mother, but hesitated. "He… told me that he… didn't tell you everything about… all of this." However, before she could fully retract her hand, Ms. Midoriya offered hers.

Yu blinked before taking her hand as she said, "He always wanted to be a Hero."

"I… I should've stopped him from coming with me," said Yu.

"I wonder if you could've…" muttered Ms. Midoriya. "If I ever could…"

"What?"

She let out a breath. "Even if you did stop him… Would he have just gone without you knowing?" Her gaze shifted towards the ceiling, shaking her head. "Like how he did all of this without telling me…"

"I…" Yu shook her head. "I would've found a way… I could've just left him at a police station…"

Ms. Midoriya's jaw clenched before her shaky voice slipped out. "Then… What would've happened to Ashido? Or Shinso? Kamui Woods?" Her head lowered, "If he wasn't there… would they be here? Would you?"

"I…"

Tears rolled down her cheeks before she retracted her hand to wipe them away. "Oh, I'm sorry." She shook her head. "You couldn't know. How could you?" Her hands fell into her lap as she sighed, "I'm being so… foolish."

Yu reached out. "No, no!" She shook her head. "It isn't!" She sighed, "We… We all grow up hearing about Heroes and the good they do. And their sacrifices are always tragic, but… we never talk about the sacrifices their families and friends make." Her gaze lowered, "The peace of mind. A full night's rest. Family dinners and parties."

"T-Thank you," she sniffled. "I just… I want him safe but… I want him to be happy too."

Yu nodded, "Me too…"

Ms. Midoriya lifted her head, meeting her eyes. "What—What do you see when you look at my son?"

"A really good kid." She admitted, "He was ripping himself apart for not telling you and me everything."

"He's stubborn too. I always felt like most people are surprised by that."

"I believe it." She joked, "You'd have to be pretty stubborn to try and be a Hero when the one you admire the most says you can't."

"What?"

Yu blinked, "You… didn't know?"

"A Hero he admires…?" she muttered. "He couldn't possibly—I mean when he could've…" She lifted her head. "All-Might said that…?"

"His favorite Hero's All-Might?" she realized. "All-Might told him that!?"

"Okay, okay, okay…" Ms. Midoriya pinched the bridge of her nose. "Let's… Let's come back to that later."

Yu fell back in her seat. "You think you know your Heroes…"

"I was saying he was stubborn because I don't think this will stop him from trying again." She took a deep breath. "Maybe he'll work harder to do as I ask – to be safer, but… I can't know everything or be anywhere to truly know."

"I understand that."

"First, you can call me Inko." She offered her hand. "And, um, well, I know that name, but I don't know your… real name."

Yu blinked for a moment before shaking her hand. "Takeyama Yu, please call me Yu."

"That's a very nice name."

"Thank you."

Inko took a deep breath. "If… Izuku continues this, I need it to be with someone who understands how… special he is. How important he is. Do you understand?"

She blinked, "I…" She shook her head. "Even after everything that happened tonight?"

"I'm considering it," she said. "We need to see when he gets better, and if he's completely… himself after recovering."

"Of course," concurred Yu.

Inko asked, "And the man who did this, he was caught?"

Yu nodded, "Yes, ma'am, the police have secured him, and are working on the papers to transfer him to Tartarus. Should be long out of Musutafu by Monday next week at the latest."

"Good…" Then, a yawn forced its way from her mouth. "Excuse me."

"I'll let you get some sleep," she chuckled.

"Thank you."

"I'll be back tomorrow morning." Both she and Inko stood from their seats. "Probably with the police when they collect statements from everybody."

Inko nodded, "Then, I'll see you tomorrow."

-XXX-

Chizome watched as Innsmouth took their stolen boat out upon the water – to be abandoned near where the waves grew harsh against sharp rocks. While Compress was sent to look into a nearby motel, for the time being, he and Iguchi hid away near a lifeguards' hut on the beach. "Are we sure Dabi won't escape or attempt to inform the police about all of us?"

"Dabi would want us all to himself," answered Chizome. "If his desire for vengeance ran purely on passion, he would've already died in an attempt against Endeavor." He shook his head as he peered through the blinds of the building. "He's more patient than that, and certainly too sadistic to simply harm us outright." He let the blinds snap shut. "He'll savor seeping us in paranoia and torment before making any attempts on our lives."

"You make him sound like an animal," said Iguchi. "How do you know so much about him?"

"Why did Dabi want to meet me?"

"He agreed with our cause."

Stain corrected, "He saw a use for our cause." He started to pace back and forth. "He wanted Endeavor from the beginning." He shook his head. "But, no matter, Dabi's true flaw lies in what he did tonight." He asked, "When he couldn't get to Woods, what did he do?"

"He… He went after someone else. A sidekick."

"Was that sidekick a false Hero? A mockery to the title of Hero?"

"I don't know."

Stain turned, "Did Dabi?"

Iguchi considered it for a moment before murmuring, "N-No… he couldn't have. Could he?"

Stain stepped close, putting a hand on the lizard's shoulder. "Spinner, that sidekick, that boy he attacked tonight, was a true Hero."

"A true Hero?" Iguchi's eyes widened. "H-How do you know?"

Stain looked off to the side. "I encountered him before: a Shiketsu student."

"The one that saved Ingenium?" recalled Iguchi.

"Yes. In spite of being powerless, Quirkless, he threw himself in between me and that false Hero. He knew it was a sacrifice – suicide, yet he smiled," said Chizome. "He nearly died that day, but he was there alongside another Hero tonight, willing to try again."

Iguchi's eyes narrowed, concluding, "Dabi didn't care who he had to attack tonight." He shook his head. "So long as we could help him against Endeavor, he would've killed any Hero - maybe… anybody."

Stain nodded, "Any corpse at his feet is merely a stepping stone towards his final goal." He removed his hand from Iguchi's shoulder, and started towards one of the windows.

Then, Iguchi began to mutter, "What about Innsmouth?" They turned to each other as Iguchi nodded to himself. "I'm sure Mr. Compress is on our side with everything he's been through, but… he wanted vengeance too."

"Yes, he did," said Stain. "Do we know against who?"

"No…" Iguchi began to pace himself. "I was able to find an article about his smuggling boat, but… nothing mentioned him, his siblings, or the Hero who attacked them."

"Do we know it was a Hero?" asked Stain.

"No… Innsmouth never even said the man identified himself as one… He didn't see him, really. He admitted to that," murmured Iguchi.

"So…?"

"It could've been another criminal for all we know."

"Why would he say it was a Hero?"

"He could've assumed or…" Iguchi put his hands on his hips. "Or he said it was a Hero to meet you." He almost gasped, shaking his head. "I… I'm sorry. I should've realized before-"

Stain stepped forward. "Calm, Spinner. The times he's told you what happened. Have they been consistent?"

He was quiet for a moment, thinking. "Y-Yes… He hasn't added any details or anything like that."

"Consistency may be a sign of truthfulness, or skill in deception."

Iguchi shook his head. "What do we do?"

"Innsmouth still has to fulfill his test," said Stain. "We will observe and see the truth in his actions. Is he committed to our cause or only interested in his own desires?"

"And, if he's the latter?"

Stain's head slowly turned to Iguchi before his hand softly took the other's shoulder. "We will handle it, Iguchi – Spinner, together."

"Y-Yes, sir!"

-\ XXX /-

AN: Friendships strengthen, bonds are forged, and the truth is hidden between the lines.

That sounds a lot more dramatic than what's happening, but it's true all the same.

Whoa! Check out that bear!

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ

┏ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ┛

┏ʕ•ᴥ• ʔ┛

What a silly guy...

Oh, hey, where he goin'?

┬┴┬┴┤•ᴥ•ʔ├┬┴┬┴

┬┴┬┴┤ᴥ•ʔ ├┬┴┬┴

┬┴┬┴┤•ʔ ├┬┴┬┴

Yo... He gone...

Anyway~! Thank you for reading, and please criticize away!

Update Window: March 9th - March 15th

Intended Due Date: March 11th