Chapter 12: Shiroha
MHA and its characters, whether in written or visual formats, belong to Kohei Horikoshi.
And tragedy strikes again…
The cicada's cry filled the air as the hot, late June sun made standing anywhere but the shade unbearable. Today was particularly hot, but thankfully, the hiking trip at the preserve involved trekking up a wide and mostly shaded mountain path.
The class clustered into groups of friends as they meandered up the path. Some were laughing as they pushed and shoved each other, joking and poking fun at one another. Some walked slowly, dragging their feet and complaining about anything and everything. A few walked in large groups, several walked in small groups, and a select few walked alone.
Izuku found himself in this last category, simply walking near the back and watching everything else transpire in front of him. As Izuku continued up the path, the gap between him and the rest of the class continued to widen as they went.
Further up the mountain and off the path by several meters, Shiroha sat amidst the trees of the forest.
She could hear the gaggle of children walking up the path, just as several groups did every summer. Her keen eyes skimmed her surroundings, unconcerned with the view filtered by the trees and understory.
Her eyes watched as they passed, but as they landed on the child in the back, they stilled. Clearly, the outcast, the child, trudged behind the others, but his pure spirit and strong spiritual energy were evident.
On the path, Izuku grimaced, but a sudden movement in the trees caught his attention.
Shiroha had risen from lounging on a rock to sitting, her eyes fixed on Izuku.
Izuku, who had turned to look at her as she sat upright, gaped at the tall and grand fox whose fur glistened in the sun filtering through the trees above. The fox's fur was a beautiful silver-white, making it appear as if the fur was casting light rather than reflecting it.
Izuku's eyes widened upon realizing that the fox, sitting on a rock, was staring straight at him.
"Izuku!" A harsh voice punctuated the reverent silence.
Izuku winced, head snapping away from the breathtaking sight to look at the teacher standing behind him, hand on her hips and glaring down at him.
"What are you doing here? Everyone is far ahead! I've been calling you!"
Izuku tried to stand tall. "I was just admiring the white fox."
Izuku turned to look at the fox once more, and Shiroha looked on in turn, head tilted, pondering the young child who could see her.
The teacher huffed, eyes searching the trees, "You don't need to lie. Nothing's out there."
Izuku's head whipped to the teacher and back again, confirming that the fox was, in fact, still there – its keen eyes still focused directly on Izuku.
The teacher snapped, "Izuku!"
The foxes' gaze did not leave Izuku's own despite the harsh sound of the teacher's voice. Izuku turned slowly to face his teacher, his eyes wide and his heart beating with excitement.
"I'm sorry, Tanaka-sensei, the fox seems to have run away. It was a beautiful white fox, though. I'll catch up now!"
Izuku ran, not waiting for Tanaka-sensei's response. Izuku cast only a brief glance over his shoulder to see if the fox was still watching. He hoped that by darting away, it might give Tanaka-sensei the impression that he was not lying and just being a bratty kid.
As Izuku glanced back, the fox nodded and then disappeared into the trees. Izuku paused for only a moment. Initially, he had been distracted by the foxes' beautiful fur, but as it quickly disappeared, he was sure he saw more than one tail.
Shiroha, for her part, merely shook her head at the audacity of the young female teacher.
"One should not be so impatient with the little ones, especially when they are so young themselves. I must discover if this young one, who is too old to see me due to youth, does, in fact, possess the abilities of the near-forgotten past. Such a youth would be in danger given the current state of the world."
Later that day, after returning home, Izuku quickly found Kaoru-san in the kitchen.
Kaoru wiped her hands on a towel and smiled at Izuku, who was almost bouncing on his toes. She inwardly sighed. This was the most excited she had ever seen Izuku.
"How was your day trip, Izuku?"
"It was… fine. I think I saw a white fox, but I'm not sure. It slipped away before anyone else could see it."
"That's a shame. It would be very auspicious if you did see one!"
Izuku smiled shyly, "Yeah."
But his wide eyes betrayed his excitement, even as he tried to hide it. He bit his lip. "The teacher didn't see it."
"Oh?" Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "That's too bad."
Izuku hesitated, wondering if he should tell her more, then shook his head.
I'm already a burden, and the Kobayashi's have been so good. I don't want them worrying about me, and it wasn't Tanaka-sensei's fault since she can't see yokai.
Kaoru's eyes narrowed slightly, but she took a deep breath and smiled, "Well, I hope you're ready for the end of the trimester. Hinata and I have set aside time again."
Izuku nodded, thankful for the change in topic.
"Thank you." Izuku said, and playing with his fingers, asked, "May we stop by the small flower shop this time? I really liked the summer flowers they had last year. I know we've stopped by the other shop before, but I discovered this one after our visit last year, and I asked if they often carried the summer flowers. The clerk said they always get them this time of year, and I did go check to see if they had any before coming home today…"
Izuku's rambling trailed off.
Kaoru clasped her hands, smiling, "Yes, of course, Izuku!"
Izuku returned the smile, and the conversation moved on to other topics as they prepared for dinner.
As Izuku settled in for bed later that night, a rustling caused him to sit upright. He shifted to peer out the window, where he came face to face with keen eyes in a narrow face.
It was the fox he had seen on the trip.
The fox spoke, and despite the barrier of glass between them, Izuku heard her clearly.
"Hello, little one."
Izuku took a deep breath, hands covering his mouth to stop the squeal of excitement as he recognized her for what she was. Quickly, Izuku scrambled out of the bed and to the window, fumbling with the lock and opening it.
The kitsune's fur reflected the moonlight, and Izuku counted eight tails.
He backed up, and the kitsune leapt lightly into the room, standing tall and proud in the middle of his floor. Izuku now noted that the kitsune's fur was not completely white, and while kitsune were usually tricksters, older fox yokai, such as the Byakko in front of him, were generally considered more like guardians – a good omen.
Suddenly, the air seemed to shimmer around the kitsune as she shifted, turning into a young woman who could be mistaken for a college-aged student. She had soft silver hair and deep, dark blue eyes.
She spoke again, "Hello, little one."
"Good evening, mistress," Izuku bowed.
The kitsune smiled, "There is no need for so much formality, but I find it interesting that you can see me, even when I am not trying to be seen."
Izuku started, "Well… you see…"
"You have the sight, do you not?"
Izuku nodded.
The kitsune, Shiroha, nodded as well, "But I see you do not introduce yourself."
Izuku replied, "You may call me what you like for now."
"Then you know not to give your name?"
Izuku nodded.
"Very good. I shall not tell you mine either. I do hope you did not learn such things the hard way?"
Izuku shook his head. "Not exactly, but I have had several confrontations with yokai, and I have also made a few friends."
The kitsune's eyes narrowed.
Izuku fumbled, "I saved a kappa, and a furry yokai has been helping me learn about yokai."
The kitsune sat on the floor and gestured for Izuku to continue. And so, he did, but avoided telling her Kekyu and Ginro's names and where they lived, something she applauded.
However, she also displayed obvious displeasure at their attempt to encourage him to fight yokai.
"You are young, and yokai are not best suited to teach one such as yourself how to contend with the animosity that follows other yokai.
"You will need more training before you can truly face strong yokai. While your spiritual energy is strong for one of your age, and you can cast a few spells, commands and borderlines will only take you so far. After all, they only work on the weakest of yokai, as you are a young human. Not until you have matured more will you be able to command stronger yokai."
Izuku stammered, "I-I've noticed…"
"This is no accusation or criticism of what you have done so far. The yokai you have befriended have given you proper instruction for their experience – but they have not fully taken into account that you are human. This is their youth speaking."
Izuku nodded.
"I shall need to meet them, but not now. However, I will say this, if what you say of your training is true, this is a proper start and should be your current focus." The kitsune stood and shifted back into her fox form. "I shall take my leave. You are young and need your rest."
"Um, oh, well…"
The kitsune moved to jump out the window and cast her farewell over her shoulder, "Good night, little one."
"Good night, Ma'am."
The kitsune disappeared out the window, and Izuku shut it slowly. He then collapsed into bed, awed. It took a while for him to fall asleep, but when he did, he slept deeply.
The next night, Izuku opened the window once again, and the kitsune entered, shifting into the form of the young woman once more.
Once she settled onto the floor, Izuku sat next to her. They sat there for a while talking about their day, Izuku even telling her about visiting his mother's grave and how she died. They talked a long while, until Izuku could no longer keep his curiosity in check.
"May I ask – IfYouDon'tWantToTellMe, that's fine – but how do you… How do nine-tailed foxes gain their tails?"
Shiroha studied Izuku for a moment; he was being quite forward for their second meeting, but she had seen how his eyes kept darting to her tails.
"The nine-tailed foxes are not mortal beings. When I gain my ninth tail, I shall ascend and leave the mortal plane."
"Why?"
"It is necessary. After gaining our ninth tail, we only descend to the mortal plane on occasions. Otherwise, we could disrupt the balance of the world. It is better to remain in the spiritual plane than stay in the mortal one."
Izuku nodded, "When will you receive your ninth tail?"
The Byakko smiled, "I just received my eighth. So, I shall receive my ninth when it is time."
"When did you get your second?"
"We receive our second tail when we come of age at a hundred years old and generally receive another tail every hundredth year thereafter. There are also other ways, some more unscrupulous than others, to gain tails more quickly. While I naturally progressed more quickly initially, I have slowed to a more normal pace as of the last two. However, all Byakko must earn their last, their ninth, tail."
Izuku nodded, pondering the kitsune's words.
The kitsune observed Izuku quietly for a moment, "You have traces of the kitsune in you."
Izuku started at the statement, "I-I do?"
"Yes, though it seems to have been many generations since."
"Do you think my ancestors knew?"
The kitsune tilted her head, "Maybe, maybe not. The kitsune in your family's past may have revealed themselves or not – either way, the child was human and may have been a great sorcerer. The knowledge has obviously been lost."
Izuku nodded, leaning against his bed.
The kitsune sighed, "Well, I have much to consider, little one. But I believe that I might trust you. I am called Shiroha."
Izuku's eyes widened, delighted at Shiroha's trust so early on, "Midoriya Izuku, ma'am."
"Well then, little one, will you allow me to stay here for a while? I would like to consider how I might help you with your task of becoming a hero, and observing you will provide me the answers I need. I made preparations last night. I will not be missed."
Izuku felt his chest lift in excitement. "Oh, ah, would you like to meet the others tomorrow?"
"Yes, little one."
"Um, you can call me…."
"No, little one. One should only use names in the most important of times, whether good or bad."
"Yes, ma'am."
Shiroha smiled and shifted back into her fox form, curling up but still gazing steadily at him. "Now, close the window, little one, and go to bed."
Izuku smiled and did as he was told. It felt awkward but still reassuring to have the oldest yokai he had ever met curled up on his bedroom floor. Once he was in bed, he soon drifted off to sleep.
Shiroha watched Izuku – she could see the faint glow of his soul and the remnants of the kitsune blood within him. From her knowledge, it had been a long time since the last human who could see yokai walked the land of Japan, and the new developments within humans had all but pushed yokai and knowledge of them aside.
It was obvious that the boy had more than some dealings with yokai, as he asked pointed and knowledgeable questions for his kind and age.
But he was young, so very, very young to the 700-year-old kitsune. Shiroha had witnessed the destruction caused by humans after their powers had awakened after lying dormant from the time of her youth. She had yet to gain her second tail when their powers had gone to sleep, and it was only after she gained her sixth that their powers surged anew as quirks. So, Shiroha believed Izuku would need guidance.
Her mother, a Myobu kitsune, and father, a wild kitsune, had resulted in herself. While male kitsune were rare, she was proud to have taken on his element – the wind element.
As she watched the child, she sensed the danger lingering around him. Death left a permanent mark, even when healed – and the little one was far from healed. Danger still lurked.
Shiroha folded her paws and, resting her head atop them, peered at the seeping boy. She would continue to watch over what was likely the last of his kind. The kitsune magic was weak, but there, and his soul was so very pure for one who had been scarred by death so young.
Shiroha's mind settled.
Protector – that sounded like a good way to earn her last tail. After all, the last tail was the hardest by far to earn, as time did not present it, but only deeds. Shiroha nodded, deciding that leaving the mortal plane would be worth it if she could learn a thing or two more about the perseverance of humans through the young one before her. It would be a last gift to a human who was connected – even if remotely – to her own kin. A gift to one who had faced such hardship with the sight and as a quirkless human in a world full of quirked individuals.
She sighed softly and continued to watch over the young human, content that she had found her path. If he lived long, she might just gain her tail in his old age. He was still a kit, after all.
The wise kitsune smiled, the tips of her canines glinting in the moonlight. The thought pleased her that she might be able to share the journey of gaining her last tail with someone. Her own mother had passed beyond the mortal plane, and Shiroha looked forward to her own ascension.
If Izuku had been awake to see, he would not have been disturbed by the sharp fangs revealed by her smile, but eased by the reassurance and tranquility that accompanied them.
A few days later, Kaoru flicked through the news stations, but each was intent on the most disturbing news. The news anchor's voice boomed out, "Another victim has been found in a nearby waterway, drowned and completely drained of blood…."
Behind the news anchor, several police officers and a detective in a tan bowler hat were gathered around a stretch of riverbank.
Kaoru's eyes drifted to Izuku, who sat stiffly on the couch.
Izuku felt her eyes on him, but his eyes were transfixed on the screen. He knew that river. It was around the same place where Ginro had led him the first time they met, and the location where they had met several times until Ginro insisted they move to the one they now used.
After the Suiko attacked him and killed his mother, Ginro told him about the Suiko he had once served under.
Ginro had been strangely quiet after the first victim, one year after Midoriya Inko's death. Now, once a year after his mother's death, the Suiko took another victim.
It seemed to be becoming a yearly ritual for the Suiko. Izuku had missed the first killing, not recognizing it for what it was due to his troubles with the third foster family. But since moving in with the Kobayashi's, he recognized the events for what they were.
Glancing at Kaoru out of the corner of his eye, who was now worrying her lip, Izuku resolved to talk to Ginro and the others the very next day, now that the Suiko had taken its fourth victim.
He didn't want Kaoru to have to worry anymore. The news anchor's voice began to explain the moniker the police had given the serial killer who only killed on one day, in one place, every year.
The very first meeting between Kekyu, Ginro, and Shiroha, which happened a few days before the news report, had gone well. The two yokai were impressed by the old and wise fox. After exchanging greetings, the conversation turned to Izuku's training and how he might confront stronger yokai, which led to Shiroha asking if he intended to use his training to defeat the Suiko that killed his mother.
Izuku did not have the answer in that first meeting, but now he did.
It felt strange for their second meeting to be focused on such a serious topic, but Izuku was determined. The three yokai and Izuku sat by the river in the usual training grounds. All eyes were upon Shiroha, and she observed each of their upturned faces for a long while before she spoke.
"The Suiko are a strong type of yokai, and no amount of training will allow you to confront it with raw strength alone. Commands and borderlines are strategies for confronting yokai of all kinds, but not the only strategies. Did you think that once you cast a borderline or gave a command, it would be once and done? No. While the weaker yokai will stop and avoid you, they could become stronger, and those that are strong will almost always come back.
"It is a never-ending cycle, just like how villains come back again and again, whether they be escaped villains or new ones. If it could end, then the Onmyoji – and Heroes – would have worked themselves out of a job." She faced Izuku, "If you take this path, using your spiritual energy to fight villains and evil yokai alike, it will not end."
Izuku sighed, and then with a determined look, faced Shiroha. "I know, but I need to do something about this one! It killed my mother, and it's been killing every year since!"
Shiroha studied Izuku for a long moment. Long enough that Izuku began to squirm.
Then, she spoke slowly, "The only way to defeat a Suiko is to not honor the dead victim. You must place the body of the victim in a grass hut and allow it to rot until it is no more. The Suiko will smell the victim and run around the hut, unable to enter and slowly expire as the victim decays."
Izuku's eyes widened, his face pale. Ginro blinked, and Kekyu shivered.
Shiroha observed all of them in turn, "Can you do this? Can you deny the next victim of the Suiko a burial? If you do not, there will be more victims. Even so, can you, Midoriya, do this?"
Izuku's body trembled, shivers wracking his frame. He had been so hopeful that he might be able to stop the Suiko from killing – just like it had killed his mother. Just like it had taken more victims.
But there were laws about corpse disposal.
To stop the Suiko, he would have to break the law – the very law he wanted to uphold as a hero. But if he did not kill the Suiko, then there would be more victims – things the heroes could not stop because they did not know about and could not see, touch, or talk to yokai.
What was Izuku going to do? Would he be a hero? An Onmyoji? Both? Or neither? The questions he thought he had found answers to again after moving in with the Kobayashi's did not seem to be answered anymore. Not when saving people – being the hero he wanted to be, a hero who could also take care of issues with yokai – meant doing something that would be condemned by heroes and the law.
His two worlds were colliding, and they did not mesh. In this case, he had no one to ask for guidance except the yokai.
Shiroha's expression was filled with sympathy.
"There is only one way to kill the Suiko."
"But we can't steal the…" Izuku turned wide-eyed to face Shiroha.
"No, we cannot. This year's victim is already gone, but next year, we may try to trick the Suiko into taking a non-human victim. Or, I can create an illusion, a fake body for the family and police to find when it strikes again next year. I am sure you would prefer the first option, but if we fail to trick it into taking a non-human victim, it will be on alert."
Ginro gave Izuku a sad look, "Hard to trick. May need a fake body for family."
Kekyu averted its gaze as Izuku glanced between the three of them, distressed.
Shiroha smiled sadly, "We have a year. Next year, you will be in your last year of middle school, and preparing yourself for your hero exam. So, you will be much further in your training. We have time to decide and plan. However, remember that it may not be possible to trick the Suiko. If that is the case, we need only wait until it takes its next victim. Only one more."
Izuku's eyes widened in horror.
Shiroha sighed, "The ritual is intended for human victims. With my help, we might be successful with a non-human victim, but we must be prepared to take the human body if we are not successful when the Suiko hunts again."
Izuku nodded.
Shiroha smiled, "You have the Kobayashi family helping you on the human side. You should trust them and explain that you can see us once you are ready to show them your 'quirk.' With my help, we can even reveal ourselves to help them know the truth. I am sure they can help you know how to balance your two worlds, even if you do not tell them everything about the yokai – at least let them know it exists."
Izuku took a deep breath, nodded, and after saying goodbye, headed for home – his thoughts in turmoil.
In another part of the city, the sound of metal bending and concrete breaking filled the air as a villain and hero rammed into the side of a building.
The hero wrestled the villain to the ground and turned to watch in horror as the consequence of their fight played out before his eyes. He had to keep the villain subdued, or more citizens would be hurt, but as the wall of the building collapsed and screams rang out, fear for those inside tore at his conscience.
Looking around, he spotted Backdraft and quickly called for his help. Thankfully, the rescue hero was already moving and disappeared into the building.
Soon after, the police arrived and took the villain into custody. And so, the nameless hero bolted into the building to help find and rescue the last few injured civilians.
Thankfully, many only needed first aid, but two needed more immediate attention.
As the last of the victims was rolled out to the waiting ambulance, the nameless hero gritted his teeth at the sight of the man's mangled legs.
Without extensive treatment, the man would probably never walk again.
Chapter 13: Another Ending
MHA and its characters, whether in written or visual formats, belong to Kohei Horikoshi.
And tragedy strikes again…
"We can't!"
Kaoru's desperate, but hushed voice rang out in the dimly lit living room.
"I know – but because Izuku is a ward of the state, we can't take him with us…"
"We can adopt him!"
"You know, we can't do that either. His… father…," Hinata spat the word out vehemently, "That man only signed over custody to the state while he is overseas and didn't want to be bothered with moving Izuku to live with him."
"Ugh, don't remind me. He is so despicable, leaving Izuku alone like that after he lost his mother."
"I know, but because Izuku still has a living parent, the state won't let us take him with us. The foster system is set up to prioritize two-parent homes, and given his circumstances, they won't approve if you're alone with him. If they weren't so strict on the requirement, you'd be able to stay while I left for treatment – but they want both parents here, especially since they still consider him a special case."
"We could try pushing it a bit. You could go and I could stay back. Maybe we could convince them to let him stay until he finishes middle school, until he's ready for high school?"
"High school is still well over a year off. I've asked," Hinata shook his head and leaning back in his wheelchair, ran his hands down his face, "They won't let him stay with just one of us."
Hinata looked at his now mangled legs and choked, "No. They wouldn't let him stay with either of us – even if we both stayed…"
Kouru sighed, eyes watery, "How long?"
"I could push it about two months – If I want the best chance of regaining mobility, I can't wait much longer than that."
"Let's ask again and see if, at the very least, he can stay with me through the winter. It will allow Izuku to finish the year out – I just hate the idea of him moving in the middle of the school year again." Kaoru's hands gestured agitatedly, and then they sank to her lap. "No, I just hate the idea that he'd have to move…," She took a steadying breath, swallowing the emotions welling up, "…move to a new home, again."
She turned to face Hinata, "We can't be the ones to do this to him."
"All these rules about financial and physical stability!" Hinata squeezed the arms of the wheelchair. "They're there to ensure the best for the kids, especially for the kids we take in."
Kaoru grumbled, "It's not like their rules have done any good in Izuku's case."
Hinata huffed, "No, and they won't make an exception for us – even if he's doing well."
"Do you think they'll treat his 'doing better with us' as him getting over some 'funk' – just so they can pass him off? They didn't require someone with a special license to take care of him until us."
"The special license requirement was because of the previous home." Hinata glared at the table. His shoulders sank. "Honestly, despite everything he's been through, he's lucky he wasn't placed in an institutional home. That's exactly why we started doing this – most children without parents or family guardians to care for them go to one of those. All things considered, he would have faced significantly more harassment between the caregivers and children, especially given…"
Kaoru took Hinata's hand, watching the emotions play across his face as he glared at his legs. Neither wanted Izuku to be taken away from them, and Hinata's attempts at rationalizing the reality before them betrayed his growing agitation.
Kaoru sighed, "Yes, but the foster system is flawed too. We can't discount that, especially given what Izuku has gone through. To think his father requested it."
"I know. The bastard doesn't even care. Why the hell are they giving him preference?" Hinata rubbed his temples.
Kaoru sniffed, "Maybe it was his last attempt to alleviate his guilt? Izuku's a great kid." Her eyes softened, "But regardless of that man's reasons, it does mean we were given the chance to meet and take care of Izuku. He didn't end up in an institution."
Their eyes met briefly before the moment of silence that settled between the two adults was shattered by an unexpected voice.
"I know they won't let me stay. So, you should go without feeling bad and get better."
Hinata and Kaoru jumped.
Izuku shuffled into the room, looking sheepish.
"Izuku!"
Izuku met their gaze, "Hinata-san, you need the treatment if you're going to continue to help other kids like me. If you get better, they'll let you continue to foster, right? Since I'm planning on going to U.A. – I'll be in the foster system until the end of high school…. but even if I don't make it into U.A.…"
"If you don't go to high school, once you're fifteen, you'll be removed from the system and expected to take care of yourself – to get a job. If the new family doesn't help…"
"I'm already 14. If I don't go to high school and am forced out of the system, I'd be able to make my own choices. Even though I turn fifteen during my last year of middle school, they'll let me finish up middle school, right, if I don't make it into U.A.?" Izuku paused, "But if I do get in, well, I've found a scholarship for students in tough situations…. I thought it might help after all you've done…. So, now it will really be put to use if I go, a-and you set up that savings account for me. So, I'll be fine, either way!"
Hinata clenched his teeth, "Regardless, fifteen is far too young to be taking care of yourself! Thankfully, Hana went to high school and was able to stay with us during those years! It gave her a better chance. Even though she's now officially out of the system, you know that we can only stay in contact because, now that she's independent, she gets that choice. You won't get that until you're fifteen or finish high school. You'll have to be with a family until you graduate."
"It will only be three years…"
"It will be more than four years since you're still in 8th grade. You'll have to stay with the new family through your last year of middle school and then high school on top of that. Anya can't take you since she'd need a special license. She hasn't even started fostering yet, so she's not even close to the three-year benchmark to qualify for it. If we go, we can't know… who you'll be placed with."
"I know, but you need to see the specialist. You could lose all mobility in your legs, and then you'd never be able to foster again. Even if Kaoru-san stays, like you said, they won't let her take care of me by herself. Even if I'm in another house, we can stay in contact. Your wellness shouldn't take precedence over four years of my life!"
Izuku stood panting, eyes desperate.
Kaoru, who had silently watched the argument, stood and, in long strides, quickly approached Izuku. Izuku stiffened, but relaxed as she knelt in front of him, "Izuku. You are so kind and caring."
Her hand grasped his shoulder in a feather-light grip. "But we are the adults, and it is our responsibility to take care of you."
Izuku clenched his eyes shut, "B-but even you said it. T-they won't let me stay since you… since they think you c-can't take care of me now – and if you go, Hinata-san can get the treatment needed so you can continue fostering."
"Yes," Kaoru conceded, "But you are just as important as everyone else."
Izuku's eyes watered, "I-I k-know, but you n-need…"
Hinata rolled up beside the two, "I am so sorry, Izuku."
Izuku panicked, "I-it's not your fault. It's the villain's fault for a-attacking people in the m-middle of… and put-putting people…"
Izuku gasped, eyes losing focus.
"May I?" Hinata held out an arm.
Izuku nodded, and Hinata pulled Izuku into a side hug, his arm strong, and his hand resting on the back of Izuku's head.
"I am alive, Izuku. Thank you so much for caring about my well-being. I never wanted you to have to go through something like this again. You were so brave during those months I was in the hospital. I'm sure it wasn't easy."
Izuku choked back a sob, nodding into Hinata's shoulder, his fingers digging into Hinata's shirt.
Hinata and Kaoru exchanged a determined look.
"I'll go get the treatment, and we'll come back as soon as we can. We'll be sure to stay in touch, no matter what strings we have to pull."
Izuku nodded into Hinata's shoulder, and Kaoru wrapped her arms around both.
When he woke, Izuku buried himself deeper in the covers, ignoring the world around him and thinking of the night before.
xxxx
He had heard the phone ring and Kaoru and Hinata's tense voices from his room. Like in the past, he had slipped out to overhear the conversation. While he had not eavesdropped on the Kobayashis in a long time, the tension in their voices raised ugly fears.
"We can't."
The desperation in Kaoru's voice was enough to make Izuku freeze. Their hushed conversation, obviously a response to the phone call only moments before, was shocking.
Izuku felt as though his entire world was slipping out from under him. So many times, he had wished that the Kobayashis would offer to adopt him, but to hear that his father had a say over his fate as a foster child was world-shaking.
xxxx
Izuku wanted to stay with the Kobayashi's, but one villain's attack had changed it all.
Now, the light streaming through the window, the lingering exhaustion from having cried himself to sleep, and the missing memory regarding how he made it to bed made him feel just like the first day he arrived.
It's just the bed, again. After all, it won't be my bed anymore.
Izuku shivered and curled even deeper into the covers, his thoughts turning to the revelations about his father.
He wanted me in foster care? Why? He could have sent me to an institutional home. Is it because he feels guilty, like Kaoru-san thinks?
Izuku's fingers dug deeper into the fabric.
Evidently, the call from the night before was from the agency informing the Kobayashis that they would be taking him to a new family soon. Izuku peeked out from under the covers and looked about the room. He so desperately wished that he could see these walls until he graduated from High School. But it seemed fate had another path in store for him.
Eventually, Izuku dragged himself out of bed and dressed.
Once done, he slipped out of the room. In the hall, he paused. Life never really gave people fair warning, but now that it had – now that he knew this would be one of the last times he would walk down this hall – a hall he had only walked down for two and a half years – he could not help but feel disjointed.
When Izuku entered the kitchen, Kaoru was already cooking breakfast, but she was much more subdued than usual.
Kaoru hesitated after greeting Izuku, "Well, I called the agency."
Izuku tensed.
"They'll let you stay until the trimester ends."
Izuku's eyes brightened.
"I know that's only until mid-December, but it's something. Well," she paused, "do you want to do an early Christmas? Due to the rules, we won't be able to visit unless the family allows, and…"
Izuku slipped up to Kaoru, nodding and opening his arms for a hug.
Kaoru almost gasped, but stopped herself in time. This was the first time Izuku had requested a hug himself.
They had been cautious to always telegraph their moves, and they had always been the ones to initiate when it was apparent Izuku wanted or needed a hug, but he had never once initiated before.
"Thank you," Izuku's voice was soft. "I'd like that – and if at all possible – could we go see Mom one more time together?"
Kaoru squeezed Izuku, tears pricking her eyes, "Yes, of course."
Two months later, Izuku stood with all his things packed and ready. This time he had three suitcases and two boxes.
The social worker sighed, but ignored the excess. Typically, they did not allow for such things since children might need to be moved quickly, but this time she deliberately ignored it. There was enough room in her car.
The social worker turned once she realized Izuku was not slipping into his seat. Izuku stood, hand on the door, and the Kobayashi's were a few feet away.
She studied Izuku, who could not tear his eyes away from the Kobayashi's.
"Come now, Izuku. We need to go."
She could see Kaoru-san's eyes brimming with tears and Hinata-san's knuckles whitening from clenching the wheelchair's armrest so tightly.
The social worker sighed, "Izuku."
Izuku turned to face her, eyes desperate as a sense of betrayal welled up in him. All the other homes were awful, and now that he was with a family that actually cared, fate and some stupid rules seemed to want to tear it all away.
"Just one more – it won't be long." Izuku pleaded.
The social worker sighed again, eyes flicking up to look at the Kobayashis once more. Kobayashi Hinata's accident was unfortunate. They needed more good families who were willing to foster, families like the one before her. They needed more people who cared and were capable of doing a good job.
She took a deep breath. "Five minutes."
Izuku spun on his heel so quickly, it was like he was moving before she had even given her consent. The social worker sighed again as she watched the sad farewell.
It was days like today that she hated her job.
But the rules were the rules.
As the social worker watched the farewell, she hoped that everyone would eventually come to accept the silver lining: Kobayashi Hinata's best chance of ever regaining mobility was at the clinic in the U.S. For all of Japan's technology and doctors with healing quirks, there was a clinic in the U.S. that specialized in treating spine and nervous system damage. She had more than willingly given the Kobayashi's the information for the clinic – even if it would be too late for them to foster Izuku again by the time Hinata was "fit" enough, according to law, to foster cases like Izuku's.
Families like the Kobayashis were hard to come by – and if Hinata-san was able to heal, maybe they would foster once again.
Her brows pinched together as Izuku drew back and one last thought passed through her mind before steeling herself for the inevitable.
There was one more benefit to Hinata-san going to the clinic – because maybe if Hinata-san healed, the look Izuku wore every time he saw Hinata-san's legs would disappear.
Izuku shuffled forward, stopping just out of sight from where Ginro and Kekyu were waiting. The end of eighth grade was rapidly approaching. With one year of middle school remaining, thoughts of high school, thoughts of U.A., ran rampant through Izuku's mind. In a year, he would be taking the entrance exam. Then he would know if he was really going to the hero course, or if he would be left out of the system and on his own.
If he went to the hero course, he'd achieve the path he always wanted, but he'd have to stay with the Sato-sans. He rubbed his arm, thankful for the long sleeves.
Sato-san was not overtly worried about his quirk status or the reduced money, even if she grimaced when she saw the check. Unlike the others, she never mentioned it.
School was another matter, though.
The Kobayashis had convinced the social worker to allow him to finish the current year at Fuyu Middle School. While Sato-san had begrudgingly accepted the request that Izuku would finish out the school year there, she would not hear of him staying to complete ninth grade. So, he would transfer to a new middle school that was, quite literally, down the road from her home.
It was all very important to her for some reason. After all, it was the main topic of their very first conversation after the Social Worker dropped Izuku off at Sato-san's home.
xxx
"It'll be a pain, but I'll agree to allowing you to finish out your eighth-grade year at your old school. But I don't want to have to worry about the complications of you going so far for a whole year in addition to this one. So, you will be moving to the middle school down the street next year. It'll be a pain until then, since you'll have to cross over into Hamamatsu – I'd really rather you just go to the school here in Musutafu."
Izuku's lip quirked, and Sato-san raised an eyebrow.
"Ah!" Izuku blushed in embarrassment, "I used to live in Musutafu, close to Aldrea."
"Well, you won't be going there either."
"I know. I don't want to. I'm happy to go to the middle school nearby until High School."
Sato-san scoffed, then shifted topics, "Well, my partner is off at work. You'll meet him later tonight if you're still up. He works the late shift and gets up late as well. So, you'll be up before him most of the time. Don't expect to see him much, and don't make too much noise in the morning. He needs his rest – got it?"
Izuku had only nodded.
xxx
Izuku rubbed his arms again. Sato-san definitely did not like that he called the Kobayashi's almost every weekend – even if she said nothing.
Her frustrations came out in little ways, though. Izuku cringed. Ginro and Kekyu would be sensitive to anything that hurt Izuku, and given how Shiroha reacted to the story about the Kato's – how and why he ended up with the Kobayashis – he was sure he would have to be careful around her too.
After all, Sato-san was not at all like the Kato-sans.
Sato-san's apartment was not overrun with yokai, and it was clean, but Sato-san was more likely to give a small smack on the shoulder or back when she was annoyed than use her words. Her partner was no better – or worse. He also didn't use his words often and was more likely to grab Izuku's arm if he wanted something from him than use Izuku's name. The man was perpetually tired and irritable, and while he wasn't exactly rough, his grip was strong.
They don't leave me with injuries like the Kato-sans did. My arms are just a bit… tender. So, it's not so bad, right?
Izuku knew Ginro and Kekyu would not understand the difference between the Kato-san's constant and deliberate abuse and the Sato-san's scolding, especially after how good the Kobayashis were.
Putting on a smile, Izuku rushed toward his two friends, eyes sparking when he saw a third person lying down near them – Shiroha was joining them.
They had not met much since the accident. Between Izuku pacing the hospital wing while trying to keep up with his studies and then the turmoil leading up to and after the move, Izuku had not been in the right frame of mind to continue training.
He had met with his yokai friends occasionally during that time when they came to visit him. Seeing the three yokai waiting for him, all so that he could start his training again, made Izuku realize that he really had missed it. It made Izuku smile, and all thoughts of the Sato family flew from his mind.
"Hi!"
The chorus of greetings filled Izuku with happiness. Izuku skidded to a halt, and a flurry of questions and greetings filled the air before training began.
Only a few minutes later, Izuku was imbuing his voice and words with his spiritual power and commanded, "Dance in a circle!"
Kekyu's little fuzz-ball yokai happily followed his command.
Shiroha laughed good-naturedly, "They would follow all of your commands happily – even mere requests – if you wanted. You will need more practical experience."
Kekyu grimaced, but the fuzz-ball yokai continued to hop. Although their 'dancing' had become a chaotic mess without Izuku's guidance.
Izuku's face pinched, "I can't work on the yokai at school. Ever since the confrontation where Ginro and Kekyu helped me, the yokai have all left or leave me alone. I'll start practicing again at the new middle school, though."
Shiroha tilted her head and cast a glance at Ginro and Kekyu, who nodded enthusiastically. She considered her next words and decided not to tell them that she had followed Izuku to school a few times. While Ginro and Kekyu's help had settled most of the trouble, the yokai dubbed Trouble would not have backed down so easily. With a little more training, Izuku would be ready to fight such yokai.
Shiroha hummed, "Well, addressing the yokai at your new school will provide you with a good chance to gain more experience. However, I am sure it also comes with its difficulties."
Izuku froze, and realizing Shiroha was referring to other things, nodded with a wry smile, "It's not like I can make friends while quirkless anyway. So, it's fine."
Shiroha huffed, eyeing Izuku steadily, "It is not fine."
Izuku squirmed.
Her eyes softened, "The shallow pettiness of your classmates aside – I can tell you have trained hard to protect yourself from yokai. Given that you have the sight, this was a necessity. You have made great strides in casting borderlines, but you need more work with commands. I know of a park nearby that is overrun with several small yokai. They are causing quite a bit of mischief there. The Onmyoji of the past would often help rid homes and even remote uninhabited places of mischievous yokai like these.
"Using this park will give you the practice necessary for improving your commands, as the yokai there are of an appropriate level for such a strategy. Furthermore, given that the park is mostly abandoned, you will not have to worry about the petty judgments of humans. Best of all, it will reduce the negative influence of yokai in the area. You'll be doing the community a favor, much like the Onmyoji of old."
Izuku's lip twitched into a smile, "Or like a Hero?"
Shiroha's canines flashed, "Quite so."
Izuku blushed, and Shiroha continued, "The stronger and more proficient you become, the more likely you will be able to banish yokai without drawing attention to yourself, even if humans are present. At the very least, the small yokai will scurry away. Although in some cases, the smallest will follow you merely because your spiritual energy is strong."
Shiroha met Izuku directly in the eyes and cast a small, almost imperceptible glance at Kekyu and Ginro. Izuku tilted his head in confusion for a moment before the realization hit him. Ginro and Kekyu never questioned Shiroha. While Kekyu did bristle a little bit, both held the older yokai in great esteem. Even Izuku had felt the difference in her aura when he had meditated earlier that day before practicing commands.
Shiroha continued, "However, we need to address some issues. While utilizing borderlines and commands are strategies for dealing with yokai, they are intended to be used sparingly and only against the weaker yokai. They are not appropriate for the stronger yokai, such as the yokai you dubbed Trouble, and who pose a much greater threat. We have already discussed the Suiko. So, I aim to help you, along with Kekyu and Ginro, to prepare to defend yourself against them.
"We must also address your use of talismans. Your current talismans contain a strong protection spell and should only be used to create barriers for preventing yokai from reentering a place rather than casting them out."
Izuku jerked, "Wait, so there are different types?"
Shiroha nodded, "Yes. While laying protective talismans might banish yokai, their true purpose is to prevent yokai from returning after a place has already been cleansed. As such, it is more effective to first banish the smaller yokai with your aura alone and then protect yourself from those that remain with commands and borderlines. If stronger yokai still remain, then you should use spell-casting talismans or a ritual to contend with them. Once you have cleansed the school, only then should you place the protective talismans. This is not to say that others have not used them as you have, but that it is far less effective."
Kekyu grimaced.
Shiroha gave Kekyu a small knowing smile, "You were not wrong to suggest Izuku use the protective talismans. Given Izuku's abilities, it was the best option at the time."
Shiroha turned back to Izuku, "Placing the protective talismans had its benefits as it forced you to strengthen your commands and borderlines against stronger yokai. However, you were unable to effectively train, as none of the yokai against which they are most effective remained. This is why you had to resort to scuffles. Against stronger yokai, it is much more effective to use spell-casting talismans or rituals – just like the Suiko requires a ritual. Do not resort to physical altercations; you are not a yokai. Your physical training can be used against human villains."
Ginro nodded, eyes fixed on the fox. His eyes had glazed slightly during the lecture on talismans, but he had fixed on Shiroha again at the mention of their training.
Izuku hid a giggle as he watched Ginro perk up. While it was a bit upsetting that all the time spent on 'physical training' would not help with yokai, Izuku's eyes gleamed at the thought of it preparing him for hero work.
Shiroha continued, "I shall teach you stronger talismans meant for spell-casting, as well as a cleansing spell. If done correctly, you should be able to purify a section of the school, creating a safe place for yourself if you need it. At best, you will be able to rid the school of yokai and cleanse the entire building. The cleansing ritual will rid the school of the ill energy left behind and is the first step to preventing the yokai from returning. Placing the talismans, as you have been doing up until now, is the second. If you place the talismans before cleansing, or of you do not cleanse at all, stronger yokai, like the Suiko would be able to reenter.
"That being said, any strategy you use to contend with yokai requires a strong spiritual aura. You have done well in your meditation training, and you should continue as you have. However, you need to add another layer to this training. Opening your senses can help you utilize your aura and sense danger. However, at the same time, you leave yourself vulnerable. There is no benefit to sensing others or an attack if you leave yourself exposed. So, you must learn how to guard yourself while opening your senses. Your aura in combination with the spell casting will be your best offense and defense against yokai."
Izuku nodded.
"Now, I have spoken much, and it is late."
She turned to face Kekyu and Ginro, who both looked excited and perplexed simultaneously. "Shall we end here for today?"
The two yokai nodded, obviously a bit dejected that the entire time was spent on a lecture. Izuku hid a grimace, but felt affection for the two yokai all the same.
They didn't understand all of that, did they? But they were doing their best. How can I fault them?
Izuku looked at all the yokai before him and smiled warmly. His training was something to look forward to in the days ahead while he lived with Sato-san, and if it prepared him for his hero studies – Izuku's grin widened.
Yes. Together, we will make it happen.