Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It all happened so fast that Inko didn’t ever feel herself get hit. One moment she had been heading to work after a small talk with her son and, the next, she woke up in a hospital. She didn’t understand what was happening. Her body had been hurting but now it was just fuzzy and cold.

Why was she so cold? She shouldn’t be this cold, it’s late May. Her vision was blurred as her eyes darted across the white room. Two splashes of green grabbed her attention among the blank scene. As her vision returned she noticed her own body seemed pale and dull. She didn’t understand but, when her eyes returned to her favorite color, they widened with confusion.

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“Izuku! I finished making your bento and left it on the counter. Make sure you get something for breakfast and have a good day! I love you!” Inko called out as she moved to open the door. Her son was quick to round the corner and bounce on his heels as he grabbed her attention.

“Mom, how late will you be working tonight?” He asked her as his head tilted. She gave a soft smile as she quietly spoke up, she always adored the time she had with her son.

“I’ll be working late, till around 11 or so, I’m sorry my Ichigo.” Inko explained as she gently took his head and kissed his forehead. She felt bad but Hisashi had stopped sending her money every month, so she needed extra hours for the income.

She watched her son’s face shift to one of concern and pain before he buried it down. It always hurt to watch Izuku hide his feelings and force him away in order to keep others happy, though she didn’t expect him to speak up. “You worked a double yesterday and a late shift the day before, you’re gonna exhaust yourself, Momma.” He told her.

Inko gave her son a sad smile as she nodded. That was true. She really was overwhelming herself with work but she had no real choice. Izuku had no reason to be worrying about money yet, so she was gonna keep him in the dark. She felt bad but there wasn’t anything she could do. He’s in middle school, money shouldn’t be a worry he has.

“I’ll be okay, I promise.” She told him as she quietly smiled and turned back towards the door. She wanted to keep him safe. “I love you, I’ll see you tonight Izuku.” She added as she closed the door behind her.

If only she’d taken a little more time… Maybe then they wouldn’t, no… She wouldn’t be in this situation.

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Izuku was… leaning over someone. She didn’t want to know who. If her son was this distressed, it must have been something horrible. She felt herself drift closer, but she hadn’t moved her legs. Inko looked down and saw her feet fade into a mist and felt dread swell in her chest.

“Izuku? Ichigo!? Can you hear me?” She rushed out as she brought her hands to her son’s shoulders. They simply fazed through him. Her eyes turned wide with terror as she saw a pale hand clutched in her child's own; a sickly familiar wedding ring garnishing a finger.

“S-speak to me! P-please my Strawberry!?” Inko called to him again as she got onto her knees. His face was drenched with tears and bright red. The desperate way he was clutching to the limp limb, her physical state, and his unresponsiveness made the worst thoughts build in her mind. She felt her own eyes water and began to burn with tears as she looked up, green peeking out from under the white sheet that hid death’s latest victim.

Inko watched the way he clung to the corpse’s hand. Her realization was settling in as he continued to break down. She brought her hand towards him, trying to grip him since she wanted her son to look at her. She wanted him to keep her grounded with just some eye contact. She wanted to know if her worries were misplaced, but it was clear he wasn’t gonna be able to give her that.

Her body racked with sobs as she tried to hold onto her child, her flesh and blood, only to have it go utterly unacknowledged by her grief-struck son. Inko always thought she’d die surrounded by her friends and family. Hearing heavy sobs from her only child as well hurt more than any death could have.

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Inko didn’t really know how to feel about attending her own funeral. She had to watch as her son sobbed as she still muttered comfort to him. A ghost or two told her to shut up, saying they couldn’t hear her anyway, but, despite this, she continued to be a mother to her child. She felt her heart swell with gratitude and pain as Mitsuki hugged her baby boy in an attempt at comfort.

She made sure to say her peace to the Bakugous before returning to follow her child. She constantly loomed over his shoulder and spoke with him, knowing how much her son loved to senselessly mutter about things. She watched as her ex-husband ransacked her belongings and how her child clung to the items he could. She wanted him to stop, to tell him off for doing this to Izuku after she passed. Her boy didn’t deserve this kind of treatment.

The house was still full of her smell. Her perfume was all over the place and she could see her son melt into it. Her eyes continued to drip endless tears that went unnoticed by her son and the other two in her home. She gently tried to grip his arm, wanting to ground her child to the best of her ability.

“Izumi. Go clean out your mom’s room.” Her ex-husband shouted at her son, making her blood boil when he deadnamed Izuku. Her son was perfect the way he was and had practically begged him to pick his new name. She wanted him to do it, to have his own identity, but he had wanted her to. She chose the name she had planned to call him if he had been born as a boy. He was her baby boy, even if he weren’t physically one, she would always see him as her son.

“It’s Izuku..” Her child retorted softly as he turned away. He stepped softly towards her room down the hall. Her eyes grazed over the photos of her and her son. She wanted to have those moments again, but she knew it wasn’t going to happen.

She followed her child around as he quietly broke down. Inko floated over her son’s shoulder as she watched him wander through her belongings. The pain that littered her baby’s face was more hurtful than anything she’d felt in her life as she tried to rub his back.

“I’m sorry… I’m so so sorry Izuku!” She told him as she felt herself sink to the ground. Her child started to look through her closet, smiling shakily as he clung to her favorite perfume and her yellow sweater.

Inko watched as he stumbled onto his gift. She had bought it on impulse when she saw it in a store. Her son always reminded her of a tiny bunny since he was little. Her nickname for him may be strawberry, and there was a reason for it since her son looked like one when he was embarrassed.

She watched as he stuffed some of her things into his closet. She didn’t want her son to have to do that with something so innocent. It made sense to want to keep things from your parents. When her mother put her up for adoption, she clung to the blanket she’d given her.

Inko was quietly hovering as she tried to keep contact with her child. The want to punch her ex-husband when he slapped her child was overwhelming. She barely noticed the way her form gained a rosy tint. She looked livid as she moved between the two of them. “Hisashi! What the hell! Don’t hit him!” She shouted before she watched him leave with that poor woman. She’d learn what a horrible person he was eventually.

It was horrible for her to be completely unable to intervene. She can’t truly get between anyone and her child nor can she even speak to him. She hated the fact she was dead. Her life was snuffed out in one swell swoop and now her son had to suffer the consequences. She could feel her body slip back into a calmer state, having made her feel more remorseful.

She began to calm down before she rushed after her son. Inko crouched down and started to run her fingers through her son’s hair. She could feel the curly strands tug and de-knot as she tried to hum a lullaby. Her son dozed off in one of her blankets, quietly sobbing as he slipped into sleep. She would have joined him if she could.

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Inko followed her son around everywhere and cried when he did. She ran into a few ghosts who would get mad at her for talking when he couldn’t hear her but she wanted to fill the void as he’d always done for her.

She could still feel his quirk, the misery he forced around him was so strong. She felt horrible since his meds had a bit of a suppressant in them to keep his quirk to a manageable level. She had been completely against it but, after the third doctor refused to put him on anything without the added suppressant, she relented to keep him healthy.

After weeks she had to watch her son break all over again. She hated hearing him cry in the night while being unable to soothe his pain. She was so close to attempting to hit Katsuki. He was harassing her child for something out of his control. If Mitsuki had passed he would be allowed to grieve for a while and her baby would have let him.

“Katsuki! Give him a break!” She shouted even though they fell on deaf ears. She shook as she followed after her son. Inko watched as Izuku left the room and she followed after him. Her blood boiled when she returned with him after lunch to see harsh words decorating his desk.

When detention was over she followed her child as he wandered into the nearest department store and grabbed what he could. She wanted to pull the suppressants from his hands the moment he grabbed them, not wanting him to risk such a sedative heavy drug. She knew her son was gonna fall deeper. He needed help.

Over the next few weeks, she saw the way her son numbly roam the school and their home. He was so out of it she was worried the drug would become addictive or harmful to him. She was unsure of how long it had been before the spider lilies decorated his desk and his mood had genuinely plummeted. She hated watching how her son grieved when she was right here, close enough to have the physical touch that he would never feel.

Each time her son burst into tears or broke down, she was always right next to him and kept herself next to him. She had just been staying with him and anything to ground him in even the faintest way. The way he bottled up his reactions to the suicide comments and notes made her feel as if the nine months she carried him for was pointless. She was so appalled someone would tell another to die. No one’s child deserved that.

When they got home after one of his worst days, she could feel her son shattering. His shoulders racked in soft sobs that grew louder and more desperate. She followed as he rushed to his room and closed himself inside. She watched him cling to the reminders of her life, sobbing as he clutched his newfound lifelines.

She sat with her arms wrapped around him for hours. Trying to ground her child even if Izuku was unaware of it. Inko was crying herself as she watched this. She was surprised when he suddenly got to his feet and began to strip off his clothes. She turned away from him at first, wanting to respect her child’s privacy, but he was so out of it he tripped on his way to the restroom.

She watched as he turned the water to a frigid temperature, she normally would have scolded him for the shock to his system, but she knew it would hopefully help ground him. She watched as he sat down and opted to sit at the other end. Inko wouldn’t get cold or need to sleep as he would. She watched the way her son curled into himself.

She tried to pull his hands away from his arms, not wanting to watch her boy harm himself due to the emotional distress he was under. She smelt iron filling the air and watched as his eyes finally lost the dull fog that covered them. She sat up as her body relaxed with his awareness.

Inko didn’t expect him to rush to his feet after a few moments and begin to ransack the medicine cabinet and remove the first aid. Her spirit turned an even more ghostly white when he pulled out the surgical scissors and made his way back to the shower.

“Izuku. P-please stop… D-don’t do that my Ichigo…” She began to beg as she tried to pull his hand and the blade away from his leg. She listened as her son broke down more and began to cut into himself, turning away the moment she saw blood peek near the metal. She was shaking as she cried and watched the water gain a red tint.

Her eyes dripped tears that never hit the ground, just faded away as they fell. She listened as he cried and tore into his skin. She wanted her son to stop harming his body. She hated knowing he was doing that to himself. Her own body started to cry as loudly as he was, unheard by anyone alive. She was so torn up by the cruel way fate had struck her family.

She turned back when he moved, hiding his body as he turned the water to a higher temperature. Inko could tell her son was done. His thighs were covered in blood and she was so shaken by his actions. She knew if something didn’t change, he’d see her sooner than she’d like him to. Her son didn’t deserve to die young.

She followed him over to his room, watching her son dry himself before slipping the gray hoodie over his torso. He then turned his attention to the marks on his legs and he began to sit on his towel and pour hydrogen peroxide onto the many gashes that decorated his skin. Izuku began to wrap his thighs in bandages and treat his self-inflicted wounds with practiced care.

She tried to take his hands as his eyes went dimmer than they should be. He was fading away. Her little Izuku was so broken after her death and the pressure of his peers that he was so comfortable with harming and treating himself. She burst into sobs as he began to wrap his hands, quietly moving to curl up in his bed afterward. She curled up next to him as he fell asleep. Managing to tuck her child to her chest after he had dozed off into slumber.

Her hand paraded through his curls as she quietly kissed his forehead, tugging out the occasional knots from his damp hair. She hated how she could only interact and touch her son when he was asleep, but seeing the way he relaxed into her touch as he slept made it worth it. She loved seeing him so peaceful after all of this.

Inko hummed lullabies throughout the entire night, trying her best to keep Izuku comfortable in his slumber. He at least deserved a good night's rest after all the things he had to deal with. She watched him sleep and slip into the occasional nightmare every few hours. She did her best to calm him when they got too bad and soothed her child back to sleep.

Chapter Text

Her son had started to put things away. He did it with the utmost care but put everything that he wouldn’t be using into boxes and just neat piles. Inko didn’t want to watch her son set everything up after he joined her. She felt like crying every time they entered the house since her son had given up.

She was at least a little relieved he seemed to be trying to make sure the people who knew her and know him, have a piece of them both. She watched as he planned out who would get what before he left for school. She followed her baby as he walked, watching their surroundings. A few ghosts waved at her and she smiled back as they continued to walk. Well.. her son walked and she hovered.

Inko watched her son more as she quietly kept an eye on him. She wanted her son to feel safe and completely comfortable in his environment. He passed by the school gate with her on his tail before a voice caught her attention. “Inko?”

Her dull green eyes turned to catch sight of a woman with black hair, pulled up just like she had it when she was alive. Her hair was down now, left that way forever since she was in the middle of doing that when she passed. She didn’t recognize the woman, the black mole on the right side of her face is something someone would remember since beauty marks weren’t all that common or her gray eyes.

“Yes? Do I know you?” She asked as she hovered protectively around her son. She knew the fellow specter wouldn’t be able to harm him, but she still wanted to ensure his safety. Her clothes were torn up and bloody, as most ghosts were, but the hero costume she had on was rather clear. Her white cape and yellow gloves were stained red with her black uniform torn up rather heavily. She didn’t recognize her at all, but she clearly recognized her.

The woman admitted, following her as they both hovered around her child. “That must be Izuku..” She muttered as she got closer. Inko was quick to put herself between them both, glaring. She would protect her child.

“Do not touch him.” She said swiftly. “I do not know you and I don’t know how you know his name.” She added as they entered his classroom. Inko wouldn’t let her near him until she knew who she was at least.

“I’m sorry…” The ghost started as she got closer to Inko, but her attention was pulled away from the apparition as the alive erupted with noise. Laughter was loud as she turned to her child, seeing his blank expression. Under it, she could sense his turmoil and pain but he was so good at throwing a blanket over it and hiding his true feelings like a blackout curtain conceals light. His quirk would normally give him away, but she knew the suppressants he took just numbed his brain and forced him into a haze.

She wanted to pull the spider lily from him as he took it in hand before delicately slipping it into his bag. ”Please stop… Please my Ichigo..” She begged as she watched him close his bag and start up his learning. Inko whipped her forming tears and got up from the ground, floating towards the woman.

”I’m sorry his grief is this bad.” The spectator said as she turned to face her. She wanted to snap at her and say she had no right to talk like that or comment on her son, but she didn’t have the energy for that, so she just blankly nodded and began to observe him once more.

They floated in silence for a while, just listening to the lesson and watching the students work. No one seemed to bother her son for the hour, opting to instead just get their work done which Inko was thankful for. She felt her need for contact flood up as the woman got closer to her and she quietly began to speak.

“I didn’t want him to grow up the way I did.” She said quickly, glancing toward the ghost next to her. The woman seemed to freeze up, so she continued with her story. “An orphan... Abandoned…” She muttered a little bitterly before her voice became softer. “I don’t blame my mother, but the system was horrible… I think I had an older brother, but we got separated so quickly I'll probably never find him.”

Inko was well aware of the tears she’d begun to leak, they didn’t bother her as she brought her hand over. She hovered it over her son’s head, faintly feeling his mass of curls as she gave a small smile. “Either way, I just wanted him to have the childhood I couldn’t… One of a loving home and a safe environment.”

She didn’t understand why she was dumping her feelings onto the other ghost, or why she stayed to listen, but she was going to speak. She wanted someone to know her true feelings. They may be dead to the living but that doesn’t mean they have to be as dead as she is. ”I had my mother’s last name, but there was no record of her. It was almost as if she’d been removed from the world. Either way, I wish he could have known her.. I may not know my mother, or if she’d even be fine with his identity, but I have this gut feeling that she would have loved him.” She admitted as she turned to face her completely.

The specter was crying just as much as she was. Her eyes were wide and full of pain and sadness. She didn’t understand why she was responding in such a way, but she simply gave a soft smile. ”I’m sorry… I’m so sorry Inko…” She started to sob as she pulled her into a hug.

”I left you for your own safety, I knew what I was getting myself into and I didn’t want you both hurting after I passed.” She told her quickly. Inko felt confused as she looked up and the woman continued. ”I failed you as a mother, Izuku as a grandmother, and Yagi as a teacher.”

Inko’s eyes widened as she stared at the specter. From what she was saying, this woman had to be her mother. She felt reluctant as she spoke quickly, wanting some form of proof. ”If you’re my mom, what is my maiden name, and old was I when you gave me up?” She asked quickly as she saw the way she looked over in surprise.

She saw a small smile form on her face as she quickly tried to wipe her eyes. Her tears continued to fall as she spoke up, eager to try and explain. Her emotions seemed genuine and she wanted to be truthful. ”Your last name is Shimura and I... I gave you away when you were three and your brother was six.” She explained softly.

Inko made a small noise as she watched her. She felt conflicted. A part of her wanted to hug her and another part of her wanted to get mad. She wanted to yell and beg her why she gave them up. Her big brother had been 6 and she’d been three. On top of that, she knew her maiden name. She was never adopted, just fostered until she grew out of the system.

“Why. Not just that we weren’t safe. I want to know the reason.” She said quickly. She wanted to know who had abandoned her and why. Her mom shouldn’t have left her and her brother to the wolves but she knew a reason had to exist. She shouldn’t have just abandoned them.

”A villain was after me. I didn’t want him to go after you both, so I gave you away in an attempt to give you a proper life. I would rather have no children than have my child be hurt because of me.” She admitted. Inko didn’t know how to feel about it but she was telling the truth.

”I don’t know how to feel about you... I don’t feel comfortable referring to you as my mother…” She told her as she leaned towards her son. She gave a small sigh as she reached for his hand, unable to grasp it but at least she could graze it. She felt her tears drip once more. She loved her son and made sure he was always aware of that. Her son deserved to feel love after all.

”If you’d feel more comfortable, my name is Nana.” Her mother said simply as she leaned over to watch Izuku. She looked over at Nana and gave a small nod. Inko was done with speaking, she wanted to just observe Izuku and support him from beyond the grave.

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Inko hovered by her son as he crept down the hall. She was trying to ignore how Nana did the same to her but from a further distance. She was grateful the other Spector was being respectful of her feelings and not really trying to invade her goal. She floated ahead of him, peeking at his desk as he entered the room. She wasn’t surprised by the words that littered the grain. It was upsetting but she wouldn’t be able to remove it no matter how hard she tried.

She watched as he made his way over, dusted the ash away, and got to cleaning the marker away. It was a relief to have him escape punishment for it since it wasn’t his fault in the first place, but the journey home was somber and cold. She hated seeing him so broken and dull. It didn’t fit her little boy. He was the embodiment of kindness and trust, he used to give kids at the park his sweets when they fell and tried to make them feel better however he could. She still remembered those days like they were yesterday. When she watched him slip that keychain into her nephew’s bag, she couldn’t help but sigh. He really was gonna go through with it.

Their trail was long and upsetting. Her son didn’t react to anything, in fact, he almost got hit by a car on his way home. She scolded him despite the fact she couldn’t be heard, but Nana seemed to at least listen to her. She was hovering over him as he unlocked the door to their apartment. She really can’t call it theirs anymore. It’s his now. He closed the door grimly and seemed to just sink into his room.

She didn’t want to be away from him, but her son still had his right to privacy, so she floated over to look around the bare apartment. The only signs of her existence were cooped up in her son’s closet, the clear missing frames were obvious to her on the walls but that was because she’d seen them every day for a decade of her life. Inko wanted to see her child smile again, so after about an hour or two, she caught him sleeping with his head on the window sill, hand reaching near the new vase and flower he had sitting on it.

She would have pulled a blanket over or closed the window if she could, but at least it would be a warm night and nothing cold.

When Izuku woke up the next morning, Inko wasn’t surprised Nana had left to go hover over whoever she’s been watching. She’ll probably come to see them soon enough after who knows how long. She had to leave again, not able to bare watching her son harm himself. She felt her tears once more but they would remain unknown to him. She would have wrapped him up in her arms if she could, convinced him to stop, or made him. Her boy shouldn’t be doing this to himself.

She hated it. It made her feel like a part of her was being stabbed and torn. Inko understood where that feeling was coming from; she’d made him with her body, and held him there for nine months before bringing him into this world. The fact she’d done this and now he was in so much pain hurt her more than any argument they’d had in her lifetime.

She watched as he took care of his wounds, bandaging and treating each cut. She was grateful he had the right of mind to at least take good care of them. Inko floated over him as he got a box of her college and high school yearbooks, pictures of her and Mitsuki, and just anything she’d gotten from her best friend and her family. She softly cried as he left it on their doorstep, not staying long enough to be caught in his vulnerable mindset.

She stayed there for a moment, watching as Katsuki opened the door and lifted up the box. She was well aware of who he was taking it to so she turned away, heading to her son’s school. He would try and get there early but he always ended up waiting till most kids were in the classroom it seemed. He probably did it to avoid the bullying and confrontation.

She was in the room before him, observing as students entered the classroom. It took about five minutes for a small group of them to go up and start drawing on the board. At first, it had piqued her curiosity, a part of her hoped it was an apology to her son but that was quickly ruptured at the sight of a hanging body. The moment she saw one reach for the green chalk, she realized what they were drawing.

”What is wrong with you all?!” She yelled out, trying to wipe the horrid creation away. Inko was well aware of her inability to but she still wanted to try. She had to try for her son. She could feel the lights flicker around her, reacting to her surge of emotions as the kids finished up their creation. She continued to try and stir up the chalk, wanting to ruin the picture. It didn’t work but she didn’t stop until she heard snickers.

Inko watched her son motion to his neck, quietly reaching out to comfort him before a voice broke her dead silence. “Get to your seat."

She watched as her son sat through that horrid sight all day, comments being thrown his way and his eyes just focusing on the ground dully. She gave invisible kisses on his forehead and hugged him as he went through his lessons, just anything to comfort him.

Inko nearly took his teacher’s face off when the man beat his hands before forcing him to clean up the mess his classmates had decorated the board with. She followed him through the rain once he bolted from the school, trying her best to protect him from at least some of the rain. It didn’t work of course, but she still tried. She will always try for him.

She followed him into the apartment, watching as he treated his hands. She wanted to take those hands and cover them with kisses, anything to calm him even a little bit. She had to observe him eat and collapse into bed. She hated it. She hated her afterlife. She hated his suffering. Most of all she hated her ex-husband and all the kids who made her son’s life hell. She wanted to see his smile and his freckled bright face, not his blood and such hurt littering his soft face.

Inko couldn’t help screaming into the night sky. No one would hear her, the dead wouldn’t care and it wasn’t like it mattered. She went for a few hours, no longer able to feel tired or horse from screams. Her voice was so loud it echoed and disrupted the birds but no one could hear her. Her anguish for her son. Her hatred for her death. Not a single soul deserved to experience her hell.

When the sun finally began to rise, she made her way back to her son’s room. He looked the most peaceful since he was a small baby. Her child had never looked like this since he came home for the first time. She didn’t even know he’d be her son yet, but she would have loved him either way. She couldn’t stomach not being able to hold him, laying next to him in his bed and holding him against her ruined body, her chin buried in his curls. She missed the bright smile on his face when he was small enough to be lifted by her quirk.

Inko didn’t move from her position until he woke, sitting up with him as he blankly watched the door of his room. She watched as he broke down, crying silently in the emptiness of the apartment. His words were soft and just barely audible to her. His begging made her heart snap for the hundredth time since she’d passed.

“Please… P-please give her back.” It was so silent she shouldn’t have caught it. She held onto him once more, desperately trying to get him to react to her touch, but nothing happened as always.

”I love you… I love you so much. I’m sorry I can’t be with you, at least not how you are used to. Please forgive me… Please Izuku.” She whispered into his hair, knowing the words would never reach but hoping by some miracle they would.

Izuku had made his way to her favorite flower shop, he really should have been getting to school but she wasn’t gonna bother scolding him for staying from that place. She understood his desire to be as far away from Aldera as possible. She watched him try and buy a bouquet of flowers, lilies of the valley, only to be given them as the owner spoke to him.

“Your mother was one of my favorites, I owed her some. Take them.” Mrs. Beppu told him. That old woman had been a florist here since she was a small girl. She used to stop by often just to talk about flowers. She used to want to be a florist and she’d considered being one once she retired from her vet position.

She wanted to thank her more than anything, for helping her with her pregnancy, being nice to her, and at least being so kind to her son. Inko felt so useless like this. She couldn’t do anything anymore. She couldn’t help hovering over him once more as she kissed his head. She could still smell his shampoo like this and barely feel his soft curls. She missed her son more than she should. She was right next to him after all, but he couldn’t see her. Her son couldn’t hug her or feel her. She hated all of it.

Sobs built up in her throat as they moved, her son quietly humming an old Spanish lullaby she sang to him. She knew he didn’t remember the words, but the fact he at least remembered the melody was enough for her. Her ex-husband had been the one to teach her it and she sang it to her son to remind him of his heritage. Hisashi had been from Puerto Rico and he was half Puerto Rican. She had learned the song by heart to just make his tiny face light up. Her son was so relaxed whenever she sang to him.

As he continued to hum the melody, she quietly sang the words, ”Duerme mi tesoro, (Dream, my treasure,) Duerme muy bien, (Dream well,) que los angelitos te miran, tambéi (may the angels watch over you, too.)” She wanted her son to feel happy and calm once more. Inko observed as he stepped towards her clinic, seeing faded blood stains on asphalt and cement. She saw him sharply inhale before turning away. He probably recognized the location and identified that it was where she’d been killed.

She felt uncomfortable with the area. Her head lowered a little as she moved closer to him, her head pushed against his as she quietly leaned against her son. She knew he wouldn’t be able to feel her or anything like that but to her, it was the thought that counted. When he stumbled into the clinic, her dull green eyes were pulled to a soft shade of broken blue. She didn’t know who he was or who he was with but something about the specter screamed safe. She looked around a little, seeing how he hovered close to a man and a child. Inko hovered over her boy as she looked around, seeing as the ghost got closer to her.

“Is that you?” He asked calmly, she looked up to see his thumb hike towards the picture on the counter. She didn’t really consider her co-workers making an altar for her. She knew Izuku had one hidden in his closet and she watched as he handed them the flowers only for the women to lay them by her picture.

“Yes, I’m Inko.” She said softly as she glanced over at her son, watching as they began to hug him. She felt relieved to see him calm and hoped that, just maybe, he would change his mind.

“Oboro, I’m following my best friends and their kid, I guess that's yours?” Oboro asked her. She gave him a small nod as she watched her son quietly. She felt the man’s gaze soften against her as he spoke up once more. “He’s not doing well, is he?” He asked which made her boil a little bit. He had no right to assume her son’s emotional health.

She was just about to snap at him but, instead, she just sighed and looked back. “Yeah… He isn’t. He hasn’t taken my death well… I’m worried he’s going to join me soon…” Inko told him as she kissed his head once more. Izuku was just quietly letting himself be hugged.

“Sho’ got like that too… He blamed himself for my death so…” Oboro explained as he glanced at the black-haired man. A part of her twinged with jealousy at his care and touch for his child. She sighed as she went ahead nodding.

”He doesn’t have anyone… No one else can see it. I’m the only one who has noticed, seen him bleed himself dry and hurt. He’s planning it. I can see it. That's why he brought the flowers and it’s why he’s giving things away..” Inko spoke out with a shaky breath. She was unsure if he’d be alright and the idea that he would join her in the afterlife this young made her sick.

Inko didn’t notice her tears until the other ghost had his arms around her in a hug. She shook a little as she squeezed him. She knew that Nana was her mother and she hadn’t even considered this with her but this random ghost just made her feel at peace. She was shaking as she quietly squeezed him close. Her head was down as she sobbed once more. ”S-sorry, my son and I are b-both very e-emotional people. H-his quirk even makes those around him feel what he feels, emotionally.” She told him as she saw her son move a little.

Inko pulled away without much thought, her son was gonna leave and she didn’t want to be away from him. “S-sorry… He has school..” She explained as she gave a soft smile. “I-i… Thank you for listening.”

She didn’t think twice before following him. Her eyes were still leaking as she hovered over him and glanced back at the family Oboro stayed by. They seemed to be very caring. She hoped the child grew up well.

When her son entered Aldera, she growled at the way his teacher began to berate him. Her son had entered right as the bell rang. He wasn’t late. Inko really wanted to shout at them. She had always hated this district but Izuku had encouraged her to keep him in the school. She understood he wanted to be Katsuki and that he was scared it would just happen again but at least a new start meant he could have been in a healthier environment. She watched him numbly sit down and pull out his notebook.

After half an hour she watched in horror as her son’s property was stolen from his grip and torn to shreds. She felt anger flood her once again as she tried her best to push the bullies away from her baby. She turned back to him as he trembled and sat back down, his things being hidden safely in his bag. She watched him cry himself to near exhaustion under his go-to hiding place at lunch, not eating for the sake of getting his stress out.

Inko could feel Katsuki’s glare, it wasn’t pointed at her, but she could tell it was pointed at her son. She wanted to grab her baby and pull him away. She watched him as he moved to leave the room. ”You have no idea of the wrath I’ll bring once you get here, Katsuki.” She swore to him before she moved to go and follow Izuku.

She still hovered over him when they returned home only to turn away as she saw her son begin to change for his privacy. She turned back once he opened the window, quietly watching as he sat on the ground to stare blankly out it. He was in one of her shirts, a lavender color with a pattern of daisies. She knew it would be too fem for his preference but she was glad he went to her for comfort, even if it was through her clothes after she’d passed.

Inko kissed his forehead after he fell asleep, gently hugging him as she lay next to him. She could feel him once more and she would relish it while she still could. Her son didn’t deserve to be so lost. He was her bright, kind boy and she never wanted to see him this low. Even worse than seeing him like this is knowing but being unable to help.

Chapter Text

Inko felt her heart drop into her stomach once her son woke up. He seemed far too excited for someone planning to kill themselves. She didn’t want him to go through that only to learn he’d be stuck as an observer. She refused to let him do this and she was going to do all she could to try and change his mind or get him help.

She watched him grab his uniform and disappear to the shower. She stayed outside and hovered as she heard the water run. She was pretty sure he wasn’t gonna harm himself, at least she hoped, and either way she wanted him to have privacy. She felt bad for invading it in the afterlife but she also knew he wouldn’t know unless she told him. That wouldn’t happen even if he does end up joining her in death. She desperately wanted him to stay alive, if not for himself then at least for her.

Inko watched as he left for school, eating a slice or two of bread for breakfast. She would have scolded him if she could but at least he was eating something. She’d rather have him eat than ignore his hunger. She continued to hover over him as he made his way to school, roaming the halls as she sighed. She was still unsure what to do. Her son spent his day messing around with a note before opting to seemingly wait till he returned home. She was running out of time, she knew she was, her son wasn’t gonna be around much longer if she didn’t manage to try and get him help.

She couldn’t do anything but watch her son be burned and hurt just for existing as the day neared its end. A part of her really wished she was able to at least take the pain, anything to take his suffering from him. She meant it when she swore vengeance on Katsuki, she’d make sure he knew she’d seen it all once he got here. It would be in the far future but a woman is allowed to dream.

Inko didn’t know how to feel as her son made his way to the cemetery, the number of souls sitting at graves and waiting made her uncomfortable. A few tried to talk her into just waiting and she didn’t wanna do that. She refused to not be there when he passed. The first thing she planned to do, no matter how he died, was to hug her son and give him as much touch as possible. She’d give him a never-ending hug for a century if she had to in order to remind him of her love.

The sound of the wind and the soft chatter of the dead was surprisingly peaceful otherwise. She didn’t mind the sounds as much as her boy’s middle school. That place’s words were all harsh and degrading but here, all it had was memories and fondness. No one seemed to choose hate when they were waiting. She understood that. Inko wouldn’t stew over her plans once Katsuki passed, she only planned to properly consider it once the time came for his passing.

Inko sighed with her useless lungs and watched as her baby’s eyes turned bright once more. That glow had returned. Even before her passing, it had been duller, he was hurt before she left. Her foggy eyes shifted towards the stone, her name etched heavily across the slate. They widened as the words under it stood out like a red stain on a white sheet.

She couldn’t help reading out her inscription at the pure joy it brought her. ”Wife, Mother to a wonderful son, and a friend to all.” Her eyes shifted back to her flesh and blood, seeing his face turn red and wet with his burst of emotions. She hovered down and gently burrowed her head into his shoulder. She hugged him as she listened to his pained silent crying.

Inko couldn’t help glancing at her parents, they might not be her biological ones but damn did she miss them. They might know something for her to try and get his attention or to at least help him in some way. She waited with him and quietly leaned against her stone and let him have his time. Her son still deserved his peace so she gave distance.

The sun had set before any of the living stirred. An older gentleman had asked him to leave after a couple of hours and it was clear he felt bad, at least she could tell he felt bad. She smiled gently and hovered with her boy as he made his glum journey back home. She observed him unlocking the door and slipping into the bathroom. She wanted to pull him back but she was well aware of his intentions and of the no effect she’d have.

Inko listened as the water ran for two hours, his time passing in silence but the tension he suffered from was thick. She could snap it in half with his weapon of choice, but she couldn’t pick them up. She couldn’t scold or do anything to her son anymore, so she knew it was pointless to try to stop his bouts of self-harm.

She watched Izuku stumble from the room, his naked limbs drenched in crimson red. She hovered over as she saw blood dripping down his knees and off his fingers. She knew he had to be in so much pain, each slice was deep and bleeding, but he didn’t even let a sliver of the pain through. It made her want to break. Instead, she quietly reached for him as he wrapped, covered, and cleaned the marks. She made a mental note of each little gash and large slash, she refused to forget a single one.

Inko held back her sobs as she saw him slip the hoodie on before moving from his room. She watched him slip her door open, her room was missing what made it hers. Her mattress sat on the carpet and her dresser was gone. A smokey scent lingered but under it, she could pick up her perfume.

Her boy crawled onto the bed and wrapped himself in her quilt and blankets, sobbing to himself as he dozed off and tried to slip into sleep. She could understand wanting to escape but she wished he could do it healthier. She softly rubbed his back as he dozed off, face red and puffy. She felt herself melt once more at the peace his face showed, in his sleep. He looked alive for the first time in years.

When her son woke up on Friday, she felt as if her world was shattering. Inko knew what was happening, what her boy wanted. She watched as her son quietly debated his choices for the day. She hovered as he got dressed, multitasking with his goodbye note. She didn’t want to call it what it truly was because that made her boy’s choice real.

Inko trembled as she listened to him speak, talking to himself through his notes and choices. She hated listening as her son spoke as he went on and on about stuff, slipping her hoodie into his dull yellow bag. “Only a few more hours… I’ll see you soon mom..” He muttered under his breath as he looked around.

She looked down and wanted to cry as she tried to just reach for him. ”Izuku, stop, please… I want you to live! Please!” She began to beg as she went ahead and wanted to pull his son over. She wanted to protect him. Inko wanted her son to be happy.

Her emotions burned under her skin, fuzzing and hot. Inko knew her son was such a smart boy, but what he was trying to do was far more than reckless. It was stupid. She would tell him it was if he actually joined her but a part of her hoped he would just make the right decision when the time came.

Once he was in his school building, she immediately took notice of the pure silence he bled. He barely reacted to the sounds of his classmates, gazes, or touches, more focused on writing his note and pondering his way of leaving his world. She wanted to scream at him that he wouldn’t leave the way he wanted. He needed to know he’d be stuck watching people grieve and listening to people talk. Inko’s boy would hate death more than life. She knew he would. A small sob escaped her as she watched him silently tread on to deal with his torture once again.

Izuku didn’t even bother going to the detention he’d been given and, knowing how obedient her son was, it let the reality sink in sooner than she wanted. Her baby walked down the sidewalk, numb to the world around him yet at peace. She hated seeing that expression with what he wanted to do, what he planned to do.

Inko broke down as he pulled the hoodie from his bag, slipping it over his head and onto his torso. Any ghosts around her would probably assume she was a banshee or something, which did make sense. She was literally crying about her son’s death, begging and pleading with him to change his mind, but her words fell on deaf ears.

The fabric he wore swamped his small form, Izuku seeming far smaller than he was. She could see how it symbolized his internal torment but it still brought her great sadness. She tried her best to cling to it, trying to pull him away as he stood in front of a tall building. She could see other ghosts looking at her, some confused, others annoyed, but one or two of them seemed to understand. They knew why she was so distraught and their young appearances told her all she needed to know to understand why.

Inko’s boy trembled as he walked, each step like a skyscraper all on its own. She could see the mask he had started to crumble and fall away as he made his way higher and higher. The distant sounds of traffic and city noise began to signal his location but the moment he pushed the door open she knew this was her last chance. She had to get him to stop. Her son had to turn around. He had to make his way back down those stairs.

She watched with grief as her son got comfortable on the edge, peering down at the symphony of people and letting his legs dangle. She watched as he placed his shoes on his note, ensuring it stayed where he desired and began to wait.

Her eyes became more focused on the sky than on what he was doing. Inko had been hovering over his shoulder but, now, she was sitting next to him with her head on his shoulder. She kept whispering soft words to her son as she rubbed his back a little. Her son was so broken after everything and she wanted him to find something to live for. She hated seeing him so broken and the fact he was so content with dying made it even worse.

As they sat, she could tell he wasn’t really there anymore. Izuku was next to her physically, but he was lost in his thoughts and completely dead to the world around him. She’d witnessed his dissociation before she passed. It wasn’t often but she made sure all his doctors treated him for his problems. She had suffered from depression and anxiety when she was younger until she managed to find her way with her new relationships. Now she was stuck in her old rut, and she knew she was, but that wasn’t gonna stop her from trying to stop her son’s choice.

When he slowly returned to the world, the rain had already started to pour. She was quietly shaking as she leaned against her son. He got up and moved to the other side of the railing. She trembled as she watched him do this and tried her best to grab onto his shirt with no luck. Inko listened as he cried and watched as he let sobs rack his body. She could see his emotions as clearly as she saw him the day he was born. She remembered bursting into tears when she heard him cry for the first time, the proof her child had made it through birth and that she was a mother. It signaled her life-changing for the better.

Inko wrapped her arms around him, managing to hold him, actually holding her son. Izuku didn’t seem to be able to feel her touch but that wasn’t going to stop her from holding him, from clinging to her baby. After a few minutes, she made up her mind. She let go of her son and quietly began to look around. She had to get help, she couldn’t let him die.

A dark figure moving in the direction of where her child was made her heart lurch as she made her way toward them before her eyes caught the ghostly figure following the man. Her eyes widened as she flickered the lights of the lamp posts, trying her best to bring him here. Her eyes were leaking and she could tell her pain was clear as she watched the living man pass her.

Her head turned as she bolted up towards the roof. Her hands were folded together, praying her son wouldn’t go yet. ”Please… Please wait, Izuku…” Inko begged as she got to the top of the building. The sight of her son still clinging to the edge, a part of him wanting to stay, brought her little relief as she hovered behind him. She turned her head to see Oboro behind her. He looked concerned and just as worried as she was.

She wanted to cry out of joy when the living man got on the roof behind her son. His eyes were gentle and she could see recognition flood his face. She brought her eyes over as he spoke to her son, her eyes refusing to leave his form. “Kid. You should step away from the ledge.”

Inko felt Oboro place his hand on her shoulder and she silently began to whisper. “Save him… I beg of you..”

Chapter Text

Inko watched as her boy reacted to the man approaching him. Izuku flinched and seemed very hesitant of him. She watched his eyes blink towards him with that confused curious look he always held when he was younger. It made her cry as she looked over at her baby boy. “I c-can’t.” He muttered as he turned away. She could see the person helping her boy stress a little as he continued. “How d-did you e-even find me?”

Her son’s quirk filled the area around them, his emotions high and clear to both the spectators and the man. ”D-did you lead him here?” She found herself asking as she moved her melting green eyes to meet the saddened blue ones near her. She watched as Oboro shook his head and spoke up.

” Aizawa felt his aura… Your son gave himself away.” He told her as he looked around a little bit.

“You’re distressed and, what I’m guessing to be your quirk, is making that obvious,” Aizawa said to her child. His words seemed snarky but the tone he carried was light, almost gentle. “Plus you’re on my patrol route, so I would have found you.” He added as he pulled up his hair. She felt it dawn on her, how if it wasn’t for her boy’s quirk the man would have found his body. He would have found Izuku’s corpse.

Inko wanted to help but she knew there was no way she could even if she tried. Her eyes kept drifting from Izuku’s feet to his sorrow-covered face. “My name is Aizawa, could you tell me yours?” He asked as her boy’s body racked with sobs and he folded into himself.

“Izuku... My first name is Izuku.” Her son’s soft broken voice responded almost immediately and it brought her so much hope. She had just been ready to beg him to talk to the man, to talk to his saver. If her boy was trying to get help or at least willing to accept it, she would never forget Aizawa or Oboro.

She listened with bated breath, unsure if this would truly end up okay. “Well, Izuku, could you step away from the ledge for me? Just a few steps so we can talk?” He began to ask her baby as he brought himself closer. She felt her form tense as her son began to panic. His voice and actions showed his emotions and a part of her was worried the rain would cause him to slip.

“No. I’m staying here…” Izuku said as he turned his gaze away from the sky. “I-i just want to go.” He admitted with defeat. She watched the way her son seemed to deflate and just wished she could hold him tight and squeeze her son in her arms.

Inko’s eyes drifted to the movement behind her, “Could you tell me why? Please Izuku.” She heard him say softly, able to feel the man’s worry from the smallest glance. She tried to reach for her boy as he tightened his hold on the railing.

“Because I’m so tired. It’s only been a month and I want to go!” Her baby was quick to raise his voice as his voice broke and he seemed to let the rest of him do the same. She immediately began to step forward and tried to comfort him, but AIzawa beat her to it. The way her son fought being pulled away from the railing made her want to be there, properly there, worse.

”He’ll save him… Sho’ won't let another kid die..” Oboro’s voice broke her grip on her thoughts as she turned back to the other ghost. Inko opened her mouth to respond but the sound of her son letting his walls fall caused her to break into wails as well. She was relieved he finally seemed to be willing to allow someone inside.

She felt as if the blue-eyed specter held her as well, trying to be comforting as she watched her son being saved. Her voice was quiet but she couldn’t help her thanks and words of pure relief he was gonna get better. He wasn’t gonna join her yet, she hoped at the very least. She moved and pushed her head against Oboro’s shoulder as she clung to him, her tears never hitting the ground as they faded away.

She couldn’t help her intrusive thoughts of how this was embarrassing, how she was being dramatic but she also understood she wasn’t. Her son was gonna be fine and she was allowed to try at that. Her baby would be able to grow up and be alright.

“Izuku, can you tell me what happened? What made you wanna do this?” Inko brought her eyes to her boy’s face as Izuku bought himself a little away from the man. He was drenched in tears, eyes red and puffy as he rubbed at them. She wanted to kiss all his freckles and remind him he was okay, tell him he was allowed to cry and feel upset. Her gaze moved to the other man and the red glow his eyes possessed. She could feel how his quirk was calm and no longer covering the blocks around him.

She put a hand on his soaked hair, wanting her boy to stay okay as she gave a shaky smile. His voice was soft but it was present enough that she could tell he was wanting to give Aizawa the answers he seeks. “My- My m-mom died last month…” He admitted, looking as if a heavy weight lifted off him before he continued, “She was h-hit by a car and i-it killed her. I didn’t even get to say goodbye!” Izuku’s voice got louder and more broken by the minute as she watched him start to break once more. It was a kind of break she wished he’d done with her, something in her stirring with her protective nature.

She wanted him to relax and be at peace, even if she couldn’t be a part of that peace. Inko didn’t care for herself as long as her baby was okay. Even if it was simply loving a new family and letting others in, she would take that over her son being gone. Anything over him being dead with her.

Her afterlife had been full of worry, which was a lot like her life. She would always be concerned for her son as she leaned forward and kissed his head. She watched as the two living began to speak, turning her attention to Oboro as she spoke up. ”Do… Do you know what Aizawa will do with him? Will Izuku go somewhere safe…” She questioned softly as she proceeded to glance back at him.

Her son seemed calmer, better, it was far from perfect but she didn’t need him to be perfect. A proper smile on his face would be plenty for her. It would be real and a sign he could get over her death. She wanted him to grow up to be strong and just as kind as he was now. ”Shouta will probably try and take him in or make sure he gets into a loving family. His adopted kid had a horrible foster family, so I know he won’t let your son fall into one.”

Inko sighed with relief as she rubbed her eyes before she hovered over to her son to finally tune into their conversation and hug him to the best of her ability. “I am, though before we talk more I’d like to get you out of the rain. Could we do that?” The man asked her son, voice bleeding genuine concern and hope. She glanced over in anticipation of her boy’s answer.

“Okay…”

She gave a soft noise as he answered honestly and she moved to hover over him and tried to let her boy have a small bit of space but she needed to be near him. Just until they were off the roof. She had to be there just in case he made a drastic choice. The soft conversation the man-made with her son was blurring as she felt her non-beating heart calm down, relaxing as they made their descent. She felt numb as her constant stress finally left her and her son was gonna be saved. Her boy would be okay for now and that's all she cared about.

Oboro was following behind them, she could feel his concern as he floated closer to the man helping her child. She looked up to see his blue eyes watching Izuku, given the utmost care, and seemed to be glad Aizawa was helping. She let herself hover around them, quietly listening to the other ghosts blending words and the sound of her son’s breathing. Inko was glad he was still breathing, glad he was still alive as she finally felt at peace.

As the living two stepped from the building, she took notice of another man holding an umbrella. She could see the concern he had and saw how heavily it was directed toward them both. She sighed as she listened and waited for him to introduce himself before they managed to coerce Izuku into their car. She was able to make herself move with vehicles, it was confusing but otherwise easy to commit.

Inko kept her eyes on her boy as Oboro hovered around her and seemed to watch her son as well. She was waiting for the living two to join them in the car as she quietly listened for any signs of her son bolting. He seemed too tired to even consider it but she wanted to follow him if he ran away. After they were joined in the car, the blonde man introduced himself as Hizashi. It reminded her of her ex-husband and honestly made her want to get mad once more. The other ghost seemed to latch onto her discomfort and anger before speaking up.

”Is Zashi’s name familiar?” He asked her. She looked towards him and sighed, finally really taking in what he looked like. Her son had just turned 13 and Oboro didn’t seem all that much older than her boy. She could feel her emotions swirl around in her chest as she tried to think over the possibilities. She didn’t wanna leave him hanging so after a moment she went ahead and responded despite the fact her mind was rushing.

”My ex was named Hisashi. They’re similar and I guess it reminded me of what my husband used to do.” Inko elaborated after she answered. She was being honest as she turned her dull eyes back to her son. She could see the clear exhaustion on his face as he fought his need for sleep. She wanted to cling to him, lull him to sleep but she knew it wasn’t possible, so she turned her attention back to the other ghost.

Her mind traveled to a lot of possibilities before she remembered the fact Aizawa was a hero. Now that she thought about it, Hizashi did look familiar and she knew a decent amount about heroes simply because her boy adored them. Upon her closer inspection, she realized that he was Present Mic. She started to realize her boy was in good hands as she turned back to Oboro. ”Are you… That student who passed? The UA kid?..” She asked him as she took note of the bit of surprise on his face.

He was silent for a moment, it wasn’t very long but enough that it was an answer for her. She was about to tell him he didn’t need to mention it but he beat her words. ”Yeah, I died on the job. I should have been more careful.” He told her. He didn’t look offended or upset as he gave her a soft smile and continued. ”Like I said, he’s in good hands. Sho’ and Zashi refuse to let a kid suffer.” He told her once more.

Izuku seemed to be just about to doze off when the car pulled to a stop. She watched as he perked up when the men told him they’d arrived. She looked towards the building and softly smiled as her boy made his way out of the car. Inko gently followed after him as Oboro seemed to choose to hover near the blonde man. She watched as they headed into the house, watching her son carefully.

It was hard to contain her laughter when Hizashi forced him to take a shower, smiling at the way he agreed and went to the bathroom with no fuzz. She went to follow but Oboro seemed to stop her. He shook his head and she reluctantly stayed where she was. ”I respect his privacy… I just.. I couldn’t leave him when he was hurting himself..” She admitted softly before she looked towards the living men.

Inko was softly watching as the taller man handed clothes to Aizawa before getting a start on making the couch a comfortable place to sleep. She could see they both genuinely seemed to care that he was safe. They were even careful with how they spoke and treated him. She had just seen the other man come from down the hall, so she peeked into a room to see another child around her boy’s age. She softly smiled as she watched them noticing, even though they seemed to present masc, they had a non-binary flag on the closet door. She wanted to be respectful because she understood the effect it could have. Her son was trans after all.

She returned to find her baby in warm thicker clothes, anxiously looking at the two men. She could feel how tired he was as she gently placed her hands on his shoulders before kissing his cheek. Her son can’t feel it but she wanted to express her love. She needed him to know it even if he couldn’t sense it. Her boy stepped closer to the couch once he was asked to inch toward them. The way they calmed Izuku made her yearn to live again, to just tell him it was okay to let them in.

Inko didn’t really pay attention to Oboro or the men as her son got comfortable before Hizashi returned with a first aid kit. She looked up and then over at her child with a soft smile and began to rub his back as she closed her eyes. ”Trust them... Please Zuzu…” She muttered as she borrowed her nose in his wet hair. She observed her boy nod and give his hands.

As the blonde worked, her son seemed to doze off. She couldn’t help the fond look on her face as they settled him down. Izuku fell asleep sooner than she expected but it didn’t stop her from carefully hugging him as she hovered. She watched as her boy slept and barely listened as the two men spoke. She really didn’t care for what they were saying since she was so focused on her son. The fact he didn’t even react to their noise told her he really did need this. He must be so tired. At least now he’d be able to sleep in a safe place.

Chapter Text

Inko was pretty sure her son was doing better, it wasn’t perfect or a permanent solution, but Izuku was in a safe environment. He’d been with the Aizawa-Yamada Household for about a month now. She could see him smile more and they didn’t try to make him repress his emotions. They were understanding and kind, making sure he knew their own feelings when it seemed to be confusing for him.

Her son had a sibling, he seemed to adore Shinsou since they weren’t cis either, something she would have never provided. Seeing the two of them interact really helped her understand the importance of family and connections. She felt horrible about it, knowing she didn’t do as much as she could have but there wasn’t anything she could do now but hover. She was fine with that. She could silently support her son and Oboro no longer had to be alone in the house. Inko had been surprised when he said she could stay. He pointed out that a lot of spectators can be protective of their people and family, but he was open to allowing others inside.

Her baby was in online school now, and her son’s therapist had asked him if bringing it up to his foster parents would be fine, and it was a lot better for his mental health. He seemed to flourish in that he was so far ahead. He was smiling more. Inko was smiling as she leaned over his shoulder, watching him kick his legs a little bit as he worked through some equations on the couch. He seemed to be enjoying it on top of how Shouta and Hizashi were quick to help with any questions they could. She knew how stuff had changed in the years and, she wasn’t very good at the new generation's math, it made her glad he had people who could help.

He’d gained more weight looking more healthy and his age. The good thing is he should at the very least manage to grow a bit more. The fact he’d been more safe kept Inko’s stress down. Her form had been less wavered and more solid, keeping more of a proper appearance instead of that of a banshee. Oboro told her that the reason most didn’t approve of her was because of that. It happened a lot when ghosts were distressed so he didn’t blame her for her original appearance.

Inko made sure she was more careful with her feelings, she didn’t wanna scare away ghosts trying to either enjoy or wander through their afterlives. The cats in the house, Numachi, and Hade, seemed to be aware of their spectating. They often stared at her when she got too close to Izuku or would sit down in front of them when the living wasn’t around. She’d barely managed to stroke one of them, but it had freaked the feline out. She didn’t expect to feel so bad about it, but she still did.

Her new family, who might not know her, seemed to be a good fit. They let Izuku keep a picture of her and make a shrine as he pleased. Her son kept it in his room but she had a feeling they’d let him move it by Oboro’s, if he asked. It made her a little more present in the house, able to play with lights and actually touch her son when he was asleep. Being able to run her fingers through those curls was like heaven to her, it was something she loved doing when she was alive and she could do it again.

He had nightmares, vivid, horrifying, nightmares. Inko had panicked at the first occurrence, not able to do anything as the two men came in and tried to calm him down. Even Shinsou seemed to peek their head in to check on him every now and then. She was well aware of their insomnia, and a part of her was curious if they knew about the ghosts in their house. Either way, she just stuck around her ‘Zuku most of the time. Considering how she could make physical contact now, she kept a little bit of distance between them but that disappeared when he went to bed or began a nightmare. She’s taken notice of how Shinsou keeps their parents out sometimes when it happens, her touch always seemed to help lull him back to sleep.

Inko didn’t really mind that they seemed to be willing to help, really she didn’t care, but she still liked it when she was able to do it. He may never know it’s her, but it’s the fact she can that pleases her. More often than not, she would back off if she knew she wasn’t gonna be helpful, she’d go to Oboro and they’d watch his friends calm her son. She actually let Shinsou calm him as well. The teen had been distant but she noticed the fondness their eyes carried. They seemed to like having a little brother, even if it was only by two weeks.

The purple-haired teen often would bring her perfume to the end table, and spray the hoodie she had given Izuku once, before making sure he could smell it without overpowering his senses. Her son would calm down in moments and she was honestly just glad they had taken notice of what comforts him.

Her boy had also taken a heavy liking to them. He seemed to hover and feel comfortable around them. She was glad he was able to form a bond despite the horrid encounters with his peers. None of the family was mean about her son’s gender either. The first time he saw the doctor with them, the woman tried to refer to him using his dead name and the wrong pronouns. She was close to knocking down the doctor's equipment before they both stepped in.

She expected that, for them to be protective and accepting. They had a kid who identified as non-binary and here her baby came to give them a son. Her boy was healing, that's what she really took notice of anyways, proving to the world he was gonna survive no matter what. While his dads’ being pros reassured her, she couldn’t help fearing where he might go if they were to pass. Izuku was bound to slip back to where he’d been when she died.

Either way, she is able to be around her baby. Oboro has seemed to grow attached to her son just like she’d done with his family. She could tell in the coming years everything would blossom. They’ll be a big happy family, even if two of them aren’t alive and visibly present.

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Each and every day Inko could feel her pride swell for her son. The way he’d grown and learned. She was hovering over his shoulder every step of the way and here they were, in front of Ua High School. Her boy had mentally become stronger but that didn’t stop her from slipping through when he got his acceptance letter. He’d started sobbing at it and then she did, tears of happiness of course considering he did get into his dream school.

His quirk had grown. He could take other people's emotions now and burden himself. She didn’t like it when he did that but considering he could move them she knew soon enough he’d be able to pour those emotions onto villains and calm down civilians. On top of this, she has seen her mother again. Turns out she hovers around All Might because he was her successor. She didn’t know how to feel learning her family was connected to One For All but Nana claimed fate worked in weird ways since the quirk returned to her bloodline.

When it broke his bones the first time he used it, she had to be held back by the other two sectors in order to not try and shred Toshinori to bits. She’ll admit she used an unnecessary amount of profanities but she was pissed. Inko was so mad he let her son get hurt like that but she felt a smug bit of pride when Aizawa and Hizashi tore him a new one.

Here he was, standing in front of the door to his classroom. She wanted to faze in and check the surroundings out before her son did but she opted to experience things with him instead. Izuku opened the door and immediately she took note of Katsuki. His feet were on his desk and another student, he’d been at the exam, was scolding him. The blonde seemed tamer as he simply huffed and removed his placement but not without some remark. Normally he would have cussed him out so to her it was an improvement. Either way, she was still gonna give him a piece of her mind in the future.

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Inko had panicked when the attack happened, she ended up being able to talk with Aizawa but the man ended up forgetting about it considering he wasn’t really dead. She’d made him promise not to leave, swear he’d stay for his kid’s sake and her sons. Izuku shut down throughout his stay in the hospital. He refused to leave Aizawa and she listened to him break down over almost losing another parent. She knew how hard it was the first time and the idea of him going through it again was horrible.

At least now, a few months later, everything was better. The school year was bound to have more ups and downs with how Izuku’s class was the main focus of the LOV. She got some information through other spirits but she felt horrible she couldn’t warn her son or her family.

When her son ended up being kidnapped, she almost broke at not getting through with him. Her son was gone, hurt and possibly dead and she couldn’t even comfort him. She’d been so upset that she followed them and watched the entire fight. The moment her son’s green eyes caught hers, she calmed down and was able to just peacefully watch things unfold. There was a large amount of dead here but she ignored them in favor of watching her son, taking notice of how a white-haired man seemed to hover close to him. His eyes were dull dead green and he was clearly an old spectator. It was kinda easy to tell the age of a ghost based on its appearance.

Her son ended up being put to sleep in the hospital to heal his arm and she took that as a moment to speak with the other ghost.

”Why are you here?..” Inko asked softly as she looked away from her son. She didn’t wanna be rude but she didn’t want to let him be a threat. She wouldn’t allow that.

”I’m gonna leave him, I’m just here because I feel bad for what my brother has caused.” The man said, his voice was surprisingly sickly for a dead person. She sighed and looked away. She could make an educated guess on who he was referring to.

”So, you’re the one who held ofa first?” Her query might be overstepping but Inko wanted to know. She knew what her son did so she at least wanted to have a mental idea of who is behind this.

”Yes, I expected it to be given to people who’d graduated. Full-fledged heroes. I’m sorry Nine has gotten it already.” The man told her. She looked over at that and moved closer to her boy.

”Izuku is a hero. Maybe not legally or anything but my son is a hero. He saved his friends and protected Koda.” Inko swore to him as she moved to gently touch his head, carefully undoing the knots in his green curls.

The ghost seemed to read her response and took it as his cue to leave. She was grateful for that as she gently continued to comfort him and hold him. Everything should get better from here. They’d captured the league and nothing is going to be a proper threat. All he had to worry about was his next test. That's what it should be like, he’s a kid after all.

Chapter Text

Inko felt her eyes become more focused on the sky than on what he was doing. Inko had been hovering over his shoulder but, now, she was sitting next to him with her head on his shoulder. She kept whispering soft words to her son as she rubbed his back a little. Her son was so broken after everything and she wanted him to find something to live for. She hated seeing him so broken and the fact he was so content with dying made it even worse.

As they sat, she could tell he wasn’t really there anymore. Izuku was next to her physically, but he was lost in his thoughts and completely dead to the world around him. She’d witnessed his dissociation before she passed. It wasn’t often but she made sure all his doctors treated him for his problems. She had suffered from depression and anxiety when she was younger until she managed to find her way with her new relationships. Now she was stuck in her old rut, and she knew she was, but that wasn’t gonna stop her from trying to stop her son’s choice.

When he slowly returned to the world, the rain had already started to pour. She was quietly shaking as she leaned against her son. He got up and moved to the other side of the railing. She trembled as she watched him do this and tried her best to grab onto his shirt with no luck. Inko listened as he cried and watched as he let sobs rack his body. She could see his emotions as clearly as she saw him the day he was born. She remembered bursting into tears when she heard him cry for the first time, the proof her child had made it through birth and that she was a mother. It signaled her life-changing for the better.

Inko wrapped her arms around him, managing to hold him, actually holding her son. Izuku didn’t seem to be able to feel her touch but that wasn’t going to stop her from holding him, from clinging to her baby. After a few minutes, she made up her mind. She let go of her son and quietly began to look around. She had to get help, she couldn’t let him die.

Inko couldn’t see anymore. No one was there, even the road below them was empty of people. She could feel her dread flooding her soul again. She was sobbing softly as she tried to shake her son, desperate to get him out of it. ”Izuku! Stop it! Don’t you dare jump from here!” She called out as she looked around once more. After a second she began to scream, someone needed to come. If there was a chance any other ghost could at least help. It wasn’t probable but at this point, she had no choice.

She pulled away as her boy began to slip over the railing. He was teetering on the edge as she tried her best to calm herself. She could feel the pain he carried and she’d witnessed it for the past month but she can’t bare to watch or feel him do this. Inko kept her eyes closed as she curled into herself. Her spirit was screaming at her for this. Her actions were that of a spectator, someone who no longer had any effect on the living. At most, she could brush against people but it wasn’t like they could feel her.

Maybe if she could his smile, a real smile like the ones he gave when she made his favorite food. She felt her mind drift as the rain picked up, falling harder and soaking her soul, ignoring the fact she didn’t exist anymore. Her eyes returned to the sky, the one safe haven they shared despite everything. Even now, despite the clouds and rain, it was something they had.

Her eyes drifted back to her son’s form, watching as his hands clung to the rails with white knuckles. The moister on his skin and the metal was letting his grip slip. She could see in the way he struggled to keep ahold of the cylinders. She gave a gasp as she moved closer once more. Her own mind seemed to be as sporadic as his was. Her grief was heavy but so was her love for her child. Her flesh and blood were on the edge of life and death, one loose finger or missed step and he’d join her in this horrid afterlife.

Inko took notice of wet steps in the distance. Her son seemed too lost to register them and it honestly scared her. What if this person had bad intentions or meant to help him? If they planned to help her boy, they might frighten him. He could slip from that. If they were planning to harm him, she wouldn’t be able to accept seeing him being hurt more than he has been. It took a few minutes before she caught sight of blue hair. The way it mirrored the clouds and sky was recognizable from miles away. She felt her chest flood with hope as she moved away from her boy. He could forgive her for this, she knew that, but she’d never forgive herself if he ended up joining her here.

”Oboro! Please! Help! I-I can’t get him down!” She called out as her eyes drifted to the figure that lingered behind the fellow ghost. She could feel her misty tears increase as she turned back to try and grab her son. Izuku needed to stay for a few more moments. He needed to be spoken to at the least and Oboro spoke highly of this man.

She felt her hands phase through her son which didn’t bother her. Being able to phase through him at least confirmed he hadn’t dropped yet. As soon as the hero, she assumed he was a pro, her son let go. A scream left her as she tried to grab his hand, unable to make the contact she longed for. Immediately Inko broke into loud sobs as she pulled herself over the rail as well. She needed to see him, she couldn’t let him be alone once he first joined the end.

The thud that sounded out as her son collided with the ground made her want to gag. The cracking of his skull and the way his body just crumbled against concrete wasn’t something that would ever leave her memory. Her ghostly hands were quick to try and caress his head as she heard Oboro get closer to her. Inko’s eyes were tightly closed as she sobbed against her son’s corpse. The fact he hasn’t appeared with them yet was enough to tell her the impact hadn’t ended his life on contact.

She opened her eyes to see the hero moving to check her boy’s pulse. His eyes were wide for a second but the guilt proved to her he wasn’t long for their world. Inko turned her gaze back to her child, seeing blood pool around him. If she didn’t have a stomach she’d probably have lost it at the sight. His limbs were twisted at angles, bones visible in some places. Even bits of his brain matter was visible where his skull split open. She watched as the hero closed his eyes and pulled his hand from his neck and immediately her eyes bolted up.

Her son faded into view, ghostly pale as she was. His eyes were closed still as he appeared in the clothes he’d passed in. Her baby looked so small like this. He seemed like a child again and she hated it. Her hands reached for him, not hesitating to hold her baby as she felt Oboro touch her shoulder. Sobs began to rack her body as she made contact, her hands no longer unable to feel his skin and hair. She cradled him in her arms as she cried into his transparent hair.

It didn’t take long for hands to wrap around her, hugging her tightly as a head burrowed into her neck. Inko’s own grip clung as she brought her hand up to his hair. ”I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry Izuku!” She called out to him as she felt his own tears fade from her shoulder. She didn’t even hear his response. Maybe she didn’t want to, after all, she never wanted this for her baby. She just wasn’t there to stop his choices.