Chapter Text
'Why are we moving?'
Kaede signed as she looked up at Aizawa. The black haired teenager held back a sigh, but he mustered a small smile instead. "Because Hizashi thinks it's a good idea. S'mores needs more room to run and play." It wasn't a full lie. That cat needed freedom. Kaede stared at him before accepting it with a small nod as Hizashi came back with, what was hopefully, the last box. He huffed as he shut the trunk of the car.
"Thanks for letting me use your car, Shota... that's something else I need to get soon..." Shota shook his head.
"No, it's fine. I'm just surprised you found someone so quickly."
"Me too. The guy seemed really nice about it." Hizashi stepped around, peering over Aizawa's shoulder. "Do you want me or Sho to sit with you?" Kaede's eyes flickered between the two. She pointed at Aizawa. Hizashi gave a small smile. "Alright kiddo." He went up front as Aizawa scooted in beside of her. Hizashi looked in the rear view mirror. "You excited to go somewhere new?" Kaede nodded. "That's good. It won't be too far away, okay? No long car rides."
Upon that, Hizashi started to drive. Kaede did her best to sit up straight, eyes eyes watching the street go by, the light shining into her eyes. She seemed upset for a moment, as the sight of her second home and Hizashi's childhood home drifted out of sight like a piece of driftwood in a river.
"Mom." Kaede's voice was barely audible, but Aizawa's ears had caught it. His quirk immediately activated as the form of Kaede's mother started to appear. Aizawa placed a hand on her arm, getting her attention quietly. Kaede flinched, whirling with fearful eyes before she realized it was just him. Kaede curled up to his side, stretching the seat belt. Aizawa wanted to ask, but he wanted Kaede to tell them on her own time.
Hizashi parked the car outside of a rather decent home, an older, middle aged man sitting on his porch. The man's eyes lit up at the sight of the car. He gave a wave and stood up from his chair as Hizashi opened his door. Kaede sat up, leaning forward as Hizashi shut the door. As they greeted one another, Kaede tried to crawl into the front seats. Aizawa quickly grabbed Kaede's sides to hold her back.
"Kaede, Hizashi needs to talk to the owner," he said softly. "Give him a couple minute-" Aizawa groaned as Kaede pushed her hand into his face, her fingers pushing into his eyes slightly. He released her, and Kaede took her chance to hurl herself into the driver's seat. She opened the door and scrambled out, falling to her knees. "Kaede!" Aizawa opened his door as Hizashi rushed to the opened driver's side.
"Sweetheart, are you okay? Shota, why was she in the driver's seat?" Kaede had a small scrape, but nothing more. Shota rubbed his eyes.
"She poked my eyes, Hizashi. She ran for it." Hizashi's eyes widened before he put his hands on his hips.
"Kaede." Kaede flinched at the tone of his voice, lowering her head as she wrapped her arms around herself. Hizashi continued to stare before he sighed and grabbed her hand. "C'mon... you wanna meet Naito-san?"Kaede stood up, but she kept her gaze on her feet as they walked over to the owner of the rental, Naito.
"Aw, she's a cutie!" Kaede squeezed Hizashi's hand. She didn't like that man for some reason. Something was off about him. "And a shy one. Where's her mom?" Hizashi shifted on his feet, pulling Kaede closer upon feeling her nuzzle into his legs. Aizawa came out behind them, his eyes narrowed at the middle aged man. Naito had no business, landowner or not, about their personal lives as long as it didn't affect the agreement
However, that was not what the old man picked up. Naito's eyes widened before a judging gaze came onto his face. "Disgusting," he muttered under his breath. He pulled out a key on a chain. "Here. Rents due again next month." As Naito walked to a blue truck, Aizawa heard him mutter rather hateful comments. Hizashi blinked as Naito drove off in a hurry.
"That was random. He was being nice!" Hizashi frowned. "Was he really that offended that we wouldn't answer the–"
"No. I'll tell you later... inside. Let's do a sweep." Aizawa took the keys from Aizawa and went inside. Hizashi followed in. The walls were a pure white, and the floors were a cherry hardwood. It was an immediate walk-in to the living room. There was a small wall, but there was an entry to the kitchen on either side. There was a door to the right and a small hall on the left side of the living room. It was clean and empty. The master bedroom had its own bathroom. The hall held its own bedroom and a single bathroom.
"Look, we have a whole blank canvas for your own room! How does that sound?" Hizashi bounced Kaede slightly on his hip with a small smile. Kaede, however, didn't hold the same enthusiasm. Her green eyes grew wide, her hands clutching the fabric of Hizashi's clothes. "Or... we don't have to. We can make it into something else." Hizashi went back to the living room, setting her down. "You can wander if you want to, Kaede. I have to get out things out the car so we can go looking for some furniture, kay?"
That's exactly what Kaede did.
She started out in the master bedroom. It had a big closet. She could walk into it and sprawl out in the floor. It had earned a snorted laugh from Aizawa when he went to put Hizashi's clothes in there.
Kaede went to the master bathroom next. It had a sink, a toilet, and a garden bath tub shower. Her eyes had went wide like saucers at the size of the tub. She left out after trying to climb in the tub, heading into the kitchen next.
It was a basic layout, having the basic needs. Though... it lacked a table. She assumed that was something they had to buy. Kaede didn't understand why they had to buy everything, but it was okay. The back door was also here, but she didn't want to go outside.
Kaede started down the hall, her chest getting tight as she did. Her steps became slower as she approached the open door to the room that was named 'hers'. She didn't want to go to her room. Why did Hizashi think she wanted her own room when she barely stayed in her own?... Kaede, very slowly, stepped into the doorway to look at the room.
"Get in there!"
Kaede flinched and stumbled back to the wall. Kaede fell on her rear as the door frame loomed high above her. She didn't want to. She didn't want to go in there. Kaede curled up, her hands digging into her hair. Momma.
"Go!"
A woman, no older than twenty-six, pointed at the dark room. Her wavy blond hair wavered as she pointed once again. Her green eyes were filled with rage, her pale skin flushing red. A toddler stared up at her mother with frightened eyes as her lips curled, tears threatening to spill.
"In there, now!"
Kaede let out a small whimper. Her mouth opened, but the woman stepped closer. The mother's eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare." Kaede went to shut her mouth. Kaede went to sign:
'Sorry.'
"If you were sorry, you wouldn't have done it again! Now, go!" Kaede stared up at her mother before turning and starting to shuffle over to the dark room. The first tear left Kaede's eyes as she abruptly turned.
"Momma, I don't go!" Kaede went to run to the woman, tears starting to flow more freely. "I-I sor--"
"Ge-Get away from me!" Kaede was kicked away, causing the toddler to stumble back and fall on her rear. The woman's breathing had escalated. "B-Bad! Bad Kaede! You don't—" A loud wail escaped Kaede, her hands centering around where the mother had kicked her. Kaede's skin flushed crimson as an ear-deafening scream pierced the air. The woman covered her ears for a moment and when the scream took a small pause, the woman rushed forward and took Kaede's left hand and dragged her into the dark room. The room sent chills down the mother's spine, causing her to release Kaede and hurry out, slamming the door behind her. The locks clicked as the woman slid them over. The mother put her back against the door as she let out a silent cry.
"What did I do, God?... I... I didn't deserve a monster..."
"Momma!"
"Kaede, sweetheart, please!"
She wasn't asleep, but she was lost in a memory. She was terrified of something, but Hizashi didn't know of what until Kaede started to call out begging apologies to her mother. Aizawa was right beside of him, his quirk active. Hizashi gave Kaede's hands a gentle squeeze. "Kaede, please, focus on me–" He moved her hands so that way she could feel his cheeks. "It's just me, you, and Shota. Nobody else. You don't have to sleep in there–you can sleep with me, sweetheart. I don't mind. Just come back to me, it's okay."
It was when Hizashi went to wipe her tears away that Kaede jolted, her breath catching in her throat with a sob. Her eyes were reddened and glossy from all of the tears.
"B-Bad. Bad Ka-Kaede..." Kaede tried to move away from them, but Hizashi held her firmly. He shook his head.
"Kaede, you are not bad. You are the sweetest and most polite little girl I know, and that says a lot cause I know quite a few kids, okay? You are far from bad." Kaede stared up at Hizashi with teary eyes, hiccupping. She looked over at Aizawa to see that his eyes were worried like Hizashi's. She went to look back at Hizashi as a soft whimper fell from her lips. Hizashi slowly released her, opening his arms up for a hug. He would leave it up to Kaede if she wanted the embrace. Kaede hesitated but she took it rather gladly.
That was the thing about children.
They needed love and affection, more at that age than any other.
They depended on their guardians for guidance.
Unfortunately, for some, that guidance was violent.