Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In Aldera School there was a certain hierarchy, the better the quirk, the better your life was going to be there; kinda like a food chain.

That meant that Izuku Midoriya, who was quirkless, was at the bottom; he was the one who was defenseless, the one every person could disregard as an afterthought.

He hated it.

But his life has fallen into a certain sense of monotony; it wasn't good, but he was getting used to it. Going to school, getting beat up by Kaachan and the lackeys he picked up that day, go back to his home, patch up the burns and cuts the best he could with the help of his mother.

His mother had tried to make them stop, but it was useless, nobody cared about the quirkless boy being put through something no kid should be; they just fell into their routine, the tears both shed didn't matter to the outside world.

Even then he couldn't hate Kaachan, it was rather worrisome; he knew he was hurting him, he was bullying him, and Izuku still thought of him as a friend.

Maybe he had brain damage.

Today they were gonna go to the museum; it was mandatory, so Izuku couldn't just not be there as always.

— Sweetie, please be careful, ok?

— I will mom.

— Stay far from Katsuki, could you?

— I'll try.

— Love you, Izuku; try to have fun, and call me if anything happens or if you feel like you don't want to be there.

— Ok, mom.

When he got to the school everyone was forming up to get into the bus, perhaps if he speeded up he could get in the bus before-

— Hey Deku.

Kaachan got to him…….

— Hey Kaachan, ummmmm, what do you, eh, what do you need?

— I saw you come here and I remembered how you never get to this kind of trips — he put his hand on his shoulder, he could feel the pain from the miniature explosions —. Who do you think you are‽ This trips are so beneath you‽ You think you are better than everyone‽ Better than me‽ Eh, Deku‽

— No, Kaachan, n-no, I never would have thought something like that.

— You better, Deku; you are worthless and beneath me, you better remember that.

He got off of him and kept walking to the bus; it was always like that, the threats, the hatred, the pain; it was like that since they were little, now they were 13 years old and it was still a problem in his daily life.

He got on the back of the bus, alone and far from anyone; it was better that way, no one wanted to be near the quirkless kid.

He tried to stay positive; the trip to the museum was something he would be looking forward to if it wasn't for the circumstances, Izuku loved learning new things, understanding the world around him; his hero journals were one example of that passion.

He would try to enjoy the visit to the museum.

The Musutafu museum was one of the biggest in Japan. Natural history, science, astronomy, pre Quirk history, hero history, all could be learned there. Izuku was interested in learning all he could.

He separated from the group as soon as he was able; it didn't matter, no one cared if he went missing.

He started in the hero history section, he marveled at the sight of the first hero regulation laws, the hero suits of the first japanese heroes, there was even a mini documentary about the topic that he watched two times already. He took notes without pause, analyzing the quirks from that era, memorizing the hero's law for when he could become one; it was a productive learning experience.

He decided to catch up to the group,he got everything he wanted to see already and didn't want to get lost.

The class was in the astronomy area, hearing a tour guide explaining something about meteorites and its composition. Interesting, but not very complex for Izuku's tastes.

— This particular meteorite was discovered in Iceland, it was under lots of rock; scientists say it is almost 50000 years old.

That caught his attention a bit, something that old was surely interesting. He tried to see the exhibit, but only got a little glance of the golden rock with his classmates in the way.

He waited for them to move on, then he could analyse the meteorite all that he wanted without being interrupted; but that chance flew out of the window when he saw Kaachan and his lackeys looking at the exhibit.

— That is pretty cool, don't you think, Bakugo?

— It's just a dumb rock, you fucking extra.

— But it's not any rock, it's a space rock.

— It doesn't seem impressive to me — said the other lackey.

Izuku tried to sneak past them to see the meteorite, but luck wasn't on his side.

— Hey, Deku.

Kaachan's voice was menacing and full of confidence as ever, it sent chills down Izuku's spine.

— He-Hey, Kaachan, could you move so I can see the meteorite, please? — he tried to be polite, maybe they would leave him alone — I think is super interesting, and maybe we could analyze it together if you don't want to go away, but you never want to be near me, which is strange because we are friends and-

— Quit the shitty muttering, is fucking annoying!

— So-Sorry.

— Quit apologizing, no one cares.

— So…...may I see it?

The mischievous smile in Kaachan's face was frightening, he wouldn't dare to beat him up in such a public space, would he?

— If you want to see it so much, then take a close look! — then he brought down the museum display case, the meteorite fell from there and Izuku could swear he saw it move in the air towards him, the golden rock fell in his hands; pieces of glass cut his skin, but at least the meteorite wasn't on the floor.

— Why did you do that Kaachan‽

— You wanted to get a close look at that thing, I just helped.

Kaachan's lackeys laughed at him, it was rather humiliating; but he was more concerned about the dizziness he was feeling, he felt his body was burning, it hurt so much, he could barely stay awake.

Still he could see Kaachan's eyes get from cocky to frightened in a second, he could hear voices around him; there were two strange creatures on each side of Kaachan, they weren't there a second ago.

— What are those things.......? — he pointed to the strange creatures, Kaachan looked surprised.

— Deku, you…..

He didn't hear the question, he had already passed out.

•••

Inko Midoriya considered herself a healthy woman, maybe she had gained some weight, but she couldn't work out as before taking care of Izuku and stress eating every time he came from school hurt in some way. That lifestyle was taking a toll on both of them, but it didn't explain the high fever she was experiencing, it hurt, it hurt a lot.

She heard the phone ringing; she felt so bad that almost didn't answer, but when she saw it was from Izuku's school she feared the worst.

— Miss Midoriya — so loud, it was so loud, but she resisted the impulse of passing out —. How are you?

— Quit the chitchat, what happened to Izuku? — normally she would indulge in a little talk to calm her nerves before the bad news, but she could barely stay awake, she couldn't afford to lose time.

— He passed out at the museum, had a high fever; we brought him to the hospital; could you come to see him? — the teacher's voice was a little insecure — It could be bad, miss Midoriya.

Her son was in the hospital, her son was ill; she didn't have time to feel sick herself, she needed to go to her boy, he needed her.

— I'm coming…..

— Thanks Miss Midoriya, sorry for the news.

She hung up before more could be said. That damn cold was gonna kill her, her head was in pain and everything was spinning; but she didn't have time to feel ill, she needed to go see her son.

Perhaps both of them had catched some virus, or there was something wrong with the food……

— Stay awake, Inko, stay awake for Izuku — she repeated herself while she got in the car.

She couldn't start it up, her hands were shaking, her conscience was slipping out of her grasp, she was falling asleep.

She couldn't, Izuku needed her, she needed to……

— STAY AWAKE, GODDAMMIT!

She punched the wheel, the car horn screeched; she felt the pain in her knuckles but it didn't matter, it didn't matter if she felt like she was dying, she needed to make sure her boy was alright and that illness was not gonna stop her.

All was pain, she screamed……

But then there was nothing, she felt normal, like the last fifteen minutes didn't happen.

She didn't have time to think about that, she just started the engine and went as fast as she could towards Musutafu's hospital.

•••

Hizashi was rather cocky, and that just nearly killed him.

— Easy they said, just transport they said.

It wasn't easy, that was for sure.

The convoy was attacked by villains, not just some goons, these were professionals and, apparently, immune to fire.

He controlled his breathing, just as his father had thought him when he unlocked his quirk; making the flames hotter, deadlier. When one of the thieves came near him, he jumped and blew flames to their face; but it didn't affect them, the thief just punched him and sent him flying.

It had a strength quirk, but also a regenerative one?

It didn't make sense, it was impossible.

The thieves picked up every single crate that he was guarding, every other guard was dead.

The foundation was gonna cut his paycheck for this, he couldn't afford it; he needed that money for his family, for Inko and Izuku.

He was ready to fight again, but then the pain started; it was unbearable, he never felt anything that painful before.

He needed to stay awake, he needed to stop the thieves before the thieves got away with the arrows.

He needed to…..

His sister was gonna kill him…..

•••

Chapter Text

Inko got to the hospital, she had broken quite a few traffic laws on the way there; but she was scared, very scared for her boy.

After the chronic pain that morning she felt full of energy, better than she had been in years; she would have been happy had she not been so worried.

She went to the reception, where they sent her towards her son's room. The doctor was still checking him out so she would have to wait when she got there; she was rather lost, but it was probably the adrenaline wearing off.

She certainly didn't expect to see Katsuki Bakugo outside Izuku's room, looking pale and worried.

Perhaps she was jumping to conclusions but she couldn't control herself.

— What have you done to him now?

— Aunt Inko, I-I-

— Katsuki, I know everything you've done to my son; I know every fucking burn! Why this time would be different‽ What did you do‽

At least he looked ashamed, but still talked.

— I didn't do anything, I was the one who called the fucking teachers; they were gonna leave him there, those fuckers……

— You are no better.

Inko was rather shocked when she saw some kind of ghosts on each side of the boy, they looked at her with interest, like she was something to be studied.

— You can see them too, don't you? — the kid asked, nervous, looking pale.

— What are those things?

— I don't know what they are — the kid looked frightened, this was new to him it seemed, why did Mitzuki never tell her that Katsuki had a second quirk? —. They call themselves Demons. They have been here all my life. No one ever saw them…...until Izuku and you…….

The relief in the kid's voice melted the ice in Inko's heart, she sat down at his side and patted his back.

— I thought I was insane, that something, something was wrong with me; they were there. I saw them move things, interact, talk, but no one ever saw them or heard them; I was so scared….. — he was visibly shaking —. Until Izuku saw them today.

Sometimes it was difficult to remember that Katsuki was still a kid, he was a brat and not very polite; but he was a kid who never had been told that what he was doing was wrong, why was that she couldn't tell, but he could be better, with time and care.

— I didn't hurt him, it was-it was an accident, I didn't think, I didn't……. — he sobbed, refusing to cry —. He just was in the way, he always smiled and it made me so angry; I thought he believed himself better than me, and I was furious.

— Katsuki, you are not a good kid, you have hurt Izuku so much, we have cried a lot every time he came hurt home — She heard the boy still crying, the two things at his side in silence —. But he still thinks of you as a friend, and I can respect that. He always has admired you, I think the only person he respects more than you is All Might.

— I never thought that, he is quirkless, he shouldn't be this determined; he is all a hero should be, the only thing that he doesn't have is a quirk — he tried to make himself smaller, putting his knees on his chest —. I felt like he believed he was better, better than everyone, because he was so many good things; but he was useless, quirkless, it didn't make sense and it made me angry.

— Katsuki, Izuku doesn't care about being the best; he probably thinks that he has to do all of that to be a hero without a quirk — she thought about the best words to say —. He is just trying to keep up with everyone, not win.

— I'm sorry

— You still have to be better Katsuki — she could see him trying to find a way to argue, but he couldn't, not this time —. Let's start simple, what happened in the museum?

He started crying harder, but got a hold of himself quickly.

— We were in the astronomy section, looking at a meteorite; Izuku wanted us to move out the way so he could see; I thought he was ordering us around, so I picked up the meteorite and threw it to him — he started to hyperventilate —. Then the rock dissolved in his hand, he started to look pale and passed out, he could see them too.

Inko was furious, he wanted to shout at the boy, but one of the Demons patted her shoulder and all that anger just ceased; she didn't feel calm, just slightly annoyed.}

— Now, let's calm down; he is just a kid — said the thing, it was terrifying.

The being had black skeletal body, its face had a white mask that covered its eyes; it floated and didn't appear to have legs, just some long white skirt. A single horn grew out of its left side.

— Please don't scare Auntie Inko, Mon.

— But she is being rude, and we are the best kiddo, no one can talk to us like that — the thing, Mon, got closer being rather menacing.

— Ignore him, ma'am; we are too weak to cause damage, and we mean no harm — the other ghost was like an inverted clone of the other, white body, horn on the right side, black mask.

— You can talk for yourself fucker.

— You filth, you need to gain some manners.

— Shut up!

Both stopped talking when Katsuki shouted; if that's what he was dealing with all time, then she could understand his bad temper.

— Sorry for that.

— What did he do?

— They can manipulate people, they touch them and then they are calm; Mon calms them down and De tells them what to think, that's how I get away with so much……

She couldn't be mad at him, oh she wanted, she wanted to scream at him, talk to Mitzuki about his little brat; but she couldn't, no matter how much she tried.

— That is rather villainous — it was the most significant thing she could say —. Why don't you stop?

— They don't stop, they see the danger and those fuckers think I need help.

The Demons seemed ready to argue, but kept their mouths shut.

The door next to them opened and a doctor came out.

— Miss Midoriya?

— Yes, I am.

— You may enter; he is sleeping but he is better, there is no fever and seems to just be very tired.

— Thanks.

She got up, Katsuki mimicking her actions.

— Only family members can enter.

— I am his friend.

— That's irrelevant.

Inko saw the white demon walk up to the doctor and put a hand on his shoulder.

— You seem like an impressive professional doctor, but we can enter, is logical; we brought Izuku here, so we can enter — the voice of that demon, De, was soft and gentle; a clear contrast to the hoarse and aggressive voice of Mon.

— Now that I think about it, you are the one who brought Midoriya here; you should be concerned, enter please, sorry for misjudging the situation.

— Many thanks, good doctor — said the demon.

— Yeah, you better remember that — said the other.

Katsuki only gave a little thanks and entered with her; while she was thinking about how many times Katsuki had used that with Izuku or even her, it was unnerving.

Izuku was asleep, he moved a lot in the bed, rolling from one side to the other.

— Izuku, oh my baby.

She couldn't contain herself; she had the bad habit of crying for everything and with the adrenaline settled, she was no longer strong and determined, just a mother worried sick for her son.

She sat at his side, Katsuki and Demons were at the door, the kid looked lost; she could feel sorry for him if she didn't know who had put her son in that bed.

— I'm sorry, I'm sorry……

— Wait until Izuku is awake and tell him, Katsuki.

— I will be better, I promise you; I'll be better…….

She nodded to him, still uncertain if her calm was just Demons' effects which had not worn off.

For now they just waited until Izuku woke up.

•••

— How is he?

— Still hasn't awoken, director.

— How are his wounds?

— Stable, nothing at risk for now; he should be making a full recovery in a few days, a month at max.

— Have the family been told about this?

— We tried contacting them, no answer; our sources told us that Izuku Midoriya was ill and in the hospital, with the same symptoms Hizashi and you presented.

— A biological attack on our family?

— Doubt it, the symptoms are slow to kill; there is a possibility, but it seems unlikely.

— Talk.

— Contact with an arrow, but Hizashi didn't have a piercing wound.

— We can't discard that possibility. Investigate.

— Yes, director.

She walked out of the medical aisle; losing the arrows was troubling, who knew what those maniacs could do with such power.

The Speedwagon foundation was proud of being one two forces that protected the world from the shadows, vampires, zombies, stand users, villains, they have fought every threat; now they had lost their most significant asset; if HE got word of this, she'll never live it down.

— Worried, boss?

— A lot — she looked at her mentor, why she wasn't the director was still a mystery to her —. I need you to visit my nephew, could you do it?

— Can I bring my backup?

— Yes, tell Kozui and Hariken to prepare; it would be a good vacation for them, maybe they could play with their toddler instead of play hero, rendezvous with them in Tokyo airport and go to Musutafu to meet my nephew.

— Ok, I will be on my way; maybe you should come too.

— I have a lot of things to do, I don't know where those villains took the arrows, who knows what will happen, and I have him to worry about.

— Try not to worry yourself too much, just take this time to visit Izuku; you haven't seen him since he was a little baby.

— I have responsibilities.

— You have those with your family too; I don't think that little Izuku knows he has an aunt, do you?

She just looked to the ground a little ashamed.

— I still have to clean all this mess, going on vacation to see my nephew is not productive now.

— It is an investigation about what happened to Hizashi and you.

— You are not going to stop until I accept, no?

— Nop.

Her mentor was a pain in the ass, but if this journey put her far away from that man, then she would accept it.

— We are going to Japan then.

•••

Chapter Text

A day has passed and Izuku still hasn't woken up.

The room was fuller now, his mother and father had come to visit and, probably, drag him back home; auntie Inko and he haven't moved since they entered the room.

Demons had brought snacks for them from a vending machine outside, Inko still looked disturbed by the ghost, but Katsuki supposed it was a normal reaction.

His parents still couldn't see them, and he felt disappointed. Some small part of him wanted for the thing that affected the Midoriyas to affect his parents too, but it wasn't the case.

— He should have woken up already.

Izuku's mother doesn't respond, still in her thoughts; he had never seen her like this before, so lost, full of despair. He had offered to calm her down with help of his Demons, but she refused, "let me be scared for my son, please", she said.

His mother put a hand on the shoulder of auntie Inko, she was furious when she found out about what he did to Izuku, but was calmed down by the combined efforts of his father, Inko and Mon; when Mon intervened auntie Inko shot him one of the dirtiest looks he had ever saw.

It made him feel like a villain.

— I'm bored.

— Do you even have a tiny bit of respect in that putrid body of yours?

— Fuck off, the green boy is getting better and everyone is acting as it is a funeral.

He tried to ignore them, he wanted to shut them up, but no one could see or hear his Demons; if he tried to talk to them, everyone would look at him as if he was crazy. He wasn't crazy.

Auntie Inko seemed as irritated as him, perhaps thinking the same thing he was; but restraining herself due to the "they lost their minds" factor.

— Katsuki, we should go now.

— I'm not leaving Izuku, mom, this is my fault.

— You have school — she said weakly, knowing that it wouldn't convince him.

— It isn't as important as this, I'm staying.

She gave a begging look to Inko, but she didn't help her; she only had eyes for her son, who was in a hospital bed because Katsuki couldn't be a better person.

Her mother gave up, breathing loudly as she got up from her chair, his father imitated her action; he understood Katsuki's reasoning for staying, he was better with feelings than his mother or himself, he never used Demons on him.

— We will bring you two some clothes tonight, ok?

— Thanks, Mesaru.

— Thanks, Dad.

— Call us if you two need anything.

— We will.

They left and the room became silent, the only noise was the beeping of Izuku's heart monitor.

— When will he wake up? — he tried to talk to Auntie Inko, the silence was too much for him, and his Demons were not good at conversation.

— It was supposed to be yesterday……

Both of them were falling into despair, wondering what would happen if Izuku didn't wake up.

Katsuki would be incapable of forgiving himself.

•••

Tokyo was a busy city; the capital of Japan was a cultural and trade center for both east and west, all kinds of people interacted here. Mutants, humans and anything in between walked through the streets, business as usual, that was the japanese culture.

The only thing that could interrupt the flow of everything would be a villain attack, but many heroes were there, to maintain order in the city.

— Sensei, I start to regret our decision to come.

— Don't be like that, director; this is a beautiful place, so full of life.

— There is so much noise, I hate Japan.

— What's with you Joestars and hating Japan? — Her mentor looked amused at the big building in front of them — I think is beautiful.

— You only think that because we are so near the fucking sea.

— That may be, yes.

Where were Kozui and Hariken?

She was getting impatient and considered calling a taxi or something to get to Musutafu as fast as she could.

But then a god-damned family van stopped in front of them.

— Of fucking course.

They had brought all the family.

The driver got out of his seat to greet them; his spiky black hair and contagious smile greeted them as he picked up their bags.

— It was about bloody time, Izumi.

— Traffic is a nightmare, Joselyne — the man's smile grew wider —. And you can call me Kozui, you know.

— I'll call you Kozui when I get to Musutafu.

— You are an asshole, director.

Her mentor hummed softly to catch Kozui's attention.

— I am the reason you are here and you didn't even say hello yet.

— Sorry — the man bowed a little, probably a little embarrassed —. It's good to see you too, Foo.

Her master drank a little bit of water, it was a sunny day and she was losing a little bit of it; she never left without that giant cup of water, that was the reason why they partnered with Kozui and Hariken.

— You brought them with you.

— Yes, they are family; Hari wouldn't come if we didn't bring her sister and team, they are clingy.

— We know, but I would be so much happier if I didn't have to hear bad karaoke all the way to Musutafu — She was the director of the Speedwagon foundation, for goodness sake, but her master insisted on traveling with them —. How is the kiddo?

— He is almost in his second birthday — the man was very proud of that baby; Joselyne couldn't understand it, they were filthy and unable, and she didn't need to take care of more things —. Now get in the van.

When he opened the door the sound of conversation got out, they were talking and singing; she prepared for the headache.

— Light up, director; think of it as a vacation.

— I left the foundation in a state of crisis, Foo; I shouldn't be on vacation.

— But you are, now enjoy yourself.

She saw the people in the van, they were annoying, they were childish, but still heroes.

The Wild Wild Pussycats.

Tomoko, also known as Ragdoll, was shouting a song off tone the best she could and being imitated by Ryuko, hero name Pixie Bob; Yawara, known as Tiger, seemed happy to just bob its head to the music, Shino, Hariken's sister and the hero Mandalay, was the only one who waved its hand to her as she entered.

She ended up between Foo and Shino, which was the best spot she could get; she wouldn't endure being between Tomoko and Ryuko.

— Hello, director — the woman in the front seat greeted her, she had brown hair and a soft smile.

— Hariken, I see you brought your family.

— You know you love them.

— I beg to differ — she put on an annoyed face, but she knew the cat team wasn't that bad —. How is the little fella?

A kid jumped from the front of the car, it was almost a carbon copy of Kozui, just small.

— Hello, my name is Kota and I'm two years old!

— He certainly has grown up.

— It 's so cute! — Foo patted his head a couple of times, making the little kid laugh.

— Yes, he is a big boy, aren't you Kota?

— Yes, I am!

So the Wild Wild Pussycats, a little kid and music at full volume; Foo Fighters hated her and she knew it.

At least the water Hose duo was a little calmer.

Not that it helped once Foo Fighters joined the karaoke.

It was going to be a long trip to Musutafu.

God, she hated Japan.

•••

Hizashi felt like shit.

But he was alive, that was always good.

He opened his eyes slowly, a necessary precaution, he didn't know if there were enemies nearby still. He was in an infirmary, that was good; he relaxed once he saw the Speedwagon foundation logo.

He had survived, but the thieves got the arrows. That wasn't good, Joselyne was going to kill him.

— Glad to see you awake, Hizashi.

He turned his head and saw a doctor, he didn't know his name, but it was something he particularly cared about.

— How long have I been sleeping?

— A day almost, your recovery is extraordinary; I had given you almost a month to be conscious.

— No time for that doc, the world keeps turning.

— I suppose, the great Hizashi Joestar doesn't rest.

— Don't call me that name — he said dryly —. Midoriya, ok? Hizashi Midoriya.

— Of course; speaking of Midoriya, we heard that your son was in a condition similar to yours — He started to take notes —. You didn't have contact with an arrow, did you?

— No, those things were in their boxes all the time; besides I don't want a stand, life is complicated enough without one, I would rather gain enough money to retire and be with my family — Then his mind registered what the doctor had said —. Wait, Izuku is sick?

— Yes, he is; apparently he passed out on a school trip.

Well, that did it; he didn't like being in the hospital anyway. He got up, and grabbed his jacket.

— You can't get up now, you are injured!

— Watch me — he got towards the door —. My son needs me, and I have no time to stay here doing nothing. He needs me, oh god, Inko surely is having a panic attack, I have to go.

— Midoriya!

— Sorry doc.

He got out fast, his body was in pain, but could be worse; he felt full of life too, which was a contradictory feeling considering his state. He needed a vehicle, the fastest he could find and get to Musutafu.

He got to his room in the base and grabbed his phone; he usually didn't call because working in the foundation was a dangerous job and didn't want his family super involved, but this was an exception.

He looked in his contacts and called.

Chapter Text

Her phone rang, waking her up.

She was still in the hospital, in the same room; her son hadn't moved even an inch.

Katsuki was still seeing him, had he slept at all since he came with her son?

Probably she should feel sorry for him, but that feeling was only a dull sensation in her heart; she saw what that boy had done to her son, if he wanted to be forgiven then he had to work for it, for now, there was no sympathy.

She answered the phone, without really checking who it was.

— Hello……

— Inko, how is Izuku?

She gasped, she hadn't heard that voice in some time.

— Hizashi…..

— Yes, It is me, Inko, sorry for not calling in better circumstances.

— Yes…… — she tried to control herself, but it was difficult, she felt vulnerable and she needed to get all that out of her system.

— How is Izuku?

— Hizashi, he…….he was supposed to wake up yesterday, he hasn't woken up yet — she didn't realize she was crying, but it was too much to handle —. I'm so scared, I don't know what is happening to him; and if he doesn't wake up? What would we do?

— He will wake up, Inko; no matter what; we'll do whatever it takes to make sure that it happens, besides, I have faith in him. He will wake up, he is strong.

— I wish you were here.

— I'm on my way, just wait some hours.

— Where were you?

— China, the food is terrible; we should eat katsudon when Izuku wakes up.

— He would like that.

— Then I won't keep him waiting, see you later, love you.

— Love you too.

She hung up; Hizashi was always working, always making sure to send money to her and Izuku. He tried to convince her not to work, but she still had a job doing office work, something to keep her busy and getting extra cash. It was a good decision, all that merchandise for Izuku wasn't cheap.

It was a relief hearing that he was coming home to take care of Izuku and her; maybe she would have more time, she missed being three in the house.

— So, Izuku's dad is coming?

— Yes, he is.

— I've never met him.

— He is always working.

— We thought that you were divorced and never said that to Deku — Mon said.

— Fucking shut up, Mon.

— We are sorry for saying that — De tried to apologize.

Inko would find their antics funny if they weren't so offensive.

— He is a hard working man, Mon; not that you would know anything about that, being a ghost and all.

— Hey, I work very hard to keep this blond haired menace safe.

— It is not that difficult, you know?

— She doesn't know, you white wannabe me.

She just zoned out from their discussion; it was almost routine now, they always fight between each other, it was almost unnerving if they were connected somewhat to Katsuki psyche.

— They are really annoying, aren't they?

— Yes they are…..

Wait, who said that?

•••

She was not amused with her trip.

— I'm about to become the first deaf director of the Speedwagon foundation……

— They ain't that bad.

— Hear them, Foo, hear them; I'm about to die.

They were currently singing an ancient song, Take On Me, though shouting would be a better description. They were off tone and their voices were cracking.

They were almost in Musutafu hospital, so close to salvation from this torture.

— You are overreacting.

Was she? Perhaps, but she was feeling stressed; she had left the foundation in the middle of one of the worst crises that had happened since its foundation. She shouldn't be in a van singing karaoke with a bunch of furries.

The arrows were dangerous, there weren't many, but enough to make a big group of stand users; stands could be as powerful as quirks, but they didn't need to be, as spirits, they couldn't normally be seen by people without one. It would be chaos and there would be consequences for her. This was an organized attack, she knew it; the security footage showed those thieves, though monsters would be a better word for them, attack the convoy, rip and tear through armored vehicles specifically design to support heavy fire from almost any quirk, but they were using multiple quirks and as tough as the vehicles were the metal did not resist the assault.

The men were dead in minutes; Hizashi had survived and she considered that a miracle, those monsters didn't care for the people there, they were going for the boxes that were being transported, like machines programmed to do a single task.

But if they were like machines, who was the programmer?

That was what kept her thinking, those things weren't human, they were puppets; perhaps it was just a coincidence that they attacked where the arrows were.

— Your mind is still thinking of the attack, no?

— It is troubling, Foo.

— It is indeed.

— Have you seen people with multiple quirks like the attackers?

Her master looked out the window, sometimes she wondered about what she thought, why her eyes seemed nostalgic many times a day; sometimes it was just seeing the clouds, others she was just looking at the strings in a guitar, it was odd.

— I've seen it once, at the beginning of the quirk mutations. He was a young idealistic person, but with time he fell into villainy —  her voice was loud compared to the karaoke, perhaps it was that Joselyne was feeling the dread in her voice —. He called himself All for One, but he is dead, we all saw the battle where he died. But if he somehow survived, I don't know what he would be doing with the arrows.

— Could he have survived?

— Unlikely, but not impossible.

— Fuck…..

— Yeah, if he is our enemy, it would take a lot to retrieve the arrows — she shook her head, trying to calm herself —. But we should just take a problem at the time, your nephew comes first now.

Her nephew probably didn't know about her, hell, Inko probably didn't remember her. She thought that she was protecting them by being far from them, her work was dangerous and she didn't have the same type of feelings that her brother had; she was thinking about the best course of action without forming bonds between them. She didn't believe that she was 38 years old when she believed she wouldn't pass from her 30 birthday, just as her father.

She thought she would never get a chance to meet Izuku, so why bother to add someone who would cry for her at her funeral?

Now that way of thinking seems counterproductive, she would be a complete stranger looking for what has done all of this to her family.

Well, she would see what to do when she met the kid; until then there was nothing to worry outside from the emergency; priorities first.

Hizashi hadn't been pierced by the arrow, maybe it was all just a coincidence and in that case she would just be the cool aunt looking for her nephew wellbeing and it would be a good stress relief; but if somehow they got pierced, it would bring a lot of inconvenience for all of them, specially Izuku and Inko.

They got to the hospital and finally the cats shut up. She took a moment to enjoy the silence before going in.

— Please take care of Kota while we go with Foo and the director — Hiriken passed the little kid to Shino, they knew the drill, never leave Foo Fighters side —. We'll be back in a few minutes.

— Got it, sis.

They got down the car; the hospital was huge, but it was common nowadays, with so many heroes and villains getting injured. It was a necessity almost everywhere, except Italy, but that was a special case.

But the place was calm, silent; there wasn't a crisis so no chaos, it was good, she didn't like chaos. And her nephew would be in a calm environment.

— What are we doing here, director? — Kozui asked.

— My nephew is sick.

— So….you bring Foo with your to get him a get well card?

— It could be a Speedwagon foundation business.

— What happened to the poor kid? — Hariken asked.

— Passed out at a school, at the same time, his father and the director did that too; we are discarding a biological attack or some other circumstances — Foo answered.

When they found Izuku's room she had calmed herself, maybe all was a coincidence, no stands involved or biological attacks, the chances of it being true were slim at best. Maybe……

— WHAT THE HELL IS THAT‽

It was Inko, Inko was yelling; she didn't think and proceeded to kick the door to open it and activated her quirk to burn one piece of cloth to defend herself. Maybe it was really an attack, Hizashi wouldn't forgive her if she let his family die while she could do something.

What she saw was something she wasn't expecting.

Inko was in the corner of the room scared and a boy with blonde hair was in sort of shock but in an attack stance; but there were three other things in the room.

There were three goddamned stands in the room.

— Fuck.

•••