Hey everyone Before this chapter starts I wanted to address something. Obviously you can skip this and go straight to the chapter but it's kind of important.
I want to start by saying that everyone has been super supportive and I am truly grateful. I'm still new to writing and know that I've messed up in some places or the pacing has just kind of been off a little.
Up until now the average word count for chapters has been around 5-6 thousand with the exception of a few. While I really Like the concept of this book I don't think I have enough experience to really do it justice. The chapters from this point on will probably be around half what they were in previous chapters because I'm struggling to work out how I want things to play out and change.
Like I said I really appreciate all the support I've been getting. If you wish to see how I improve in the future and even read some of my future books then please feel free to follow me. I already have a few other books in the works.
I'm also trying a slightly different writing style. Nothing too drastic, just shorter paragraphs. i feel they're easier to digest and keep track of that way.
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Izuku's POV:
The next day at school seemed to be pretty normal. "So why did Togata-senpai want to meet?" Mina asked as she sat on one of the desks. "He actually took me to meet Sir Nighteye, the pro he does his work studies with. Apparently Nighteye wanted to meet me and asked me to come to his agency for my work studies" I replied with a shrug. "Really babe, that's great" Aiko says with her usual troublemaker grin.
"You got that right, I got to meet Fatgum who accepted me for my work studies" Eijiro says from his spot next to Mina. "Damn it, you're all getting these fucking opportunities assholes" Kat says crossing his arms. We all exchanged glances before turning to Ochako for an explanation.
She just let out a sigh as she snaked her arms over his shoulders pecking him on the cheek. "He's upset that Aiko, Tsu and I all got accepted by Ryukyu and he hasn't found a place yet" the brown-haired girl explains. "Well I'm sure you'll find somewhere to go" I said patting his back. "Whatever" he scoffs though we could all tell it was good-natured.
The rest of the day went by pretty quickly. We had English with Present Mic for the final class of the day. Once the bell rang we all quickly packed up and made out way through the hall. Once outside and on the way back to the dorms the work studies students, myself included all spit off.
I met up with Mirio at the station as we quickly boarded. One thing that Sir was all about was punctuality and thanks to Aizawa-sensei I was pretty good with that. "So what do you think Sir wanted to talk to us about today" Mirio asked as we made our way to the conference room. "I'm not sure, maybe just patrol routes. Wait, do you think he has a mission for us?" I ask with a gasp. "Oh boy! That would be so cool" Mirio says with his ever present smile.
Walking into the conference room we quickly notice his sidekicks Bubble girl and Centipeder. "Good afternoon Sir, I hope we can start this meeting on a ~High Note~" I sung out in the highest note I could hit. This earned a chuckle from his sidekicks and a smile from the pro himself. Mirio had a smile of his own and held a thumbs up.
"All right, now that everyone is here we can begin. Lately we've been watching an underground group of Yakuza call the Hassaikai group. They've been supplying drugs to the local criminal along with some quirk enhancers" He says tapping some buttons on his laptop bringing up some pictures of what I can assume are the members of the group.
"We aren't taking action against them just yet since we're still gathering evidence but this is the leader, Kai Chisaki. From what we can gather his quirk allows him to disassemble and reassemble anything he touches. We don't have that much information on him but don't worry he's rarely spotted walking the streets.
Today we will be splitting up into teams of two for patrol but if you notice anything suspicious then contact the others or the agency immediately. Midoriya, you're with Mirio while I go with bubble Girl. Get suited up we're scheduled for patrol in ten minutes" The pro instructs.
With that out of the way We made our way out on patrol. "So Midoriya, what did you end up choosing for your hero name?" Mirio asked me out of the blue. "Oh, that's easy. I'm the musical fox hero: Kitsune" I reply with a big grin. "What about you?" I ask as turns to me with a big smile. "I'm Lemillion because that's how many people I want to save" he says with a big smile jabbing his thumb into his chest.
As we made our way down the street in costume people couldn't help but stop and stare. "Hey look, it's heroes" A woman passing by says. "You're right, and that's Kitsune. He revealed himself at the UA Sports festival" the other woman says. As we passed by I turned and waved while offering a smile. They blushed and squealed a little making Mirio and I chuckle.
Eri's POV:
'I can't take it anymore. The bad man has been coming to get me a lot more. Every time he took me to that room he would hurt me. "You're helping make the world a better place Eri. so Be a good girl" he would say.' I though as I sat curled up on my bed.
My arms and legs hurt as I hugged my knees tighter. I could feel every cut even though they weren't anything more than white lines on my skin anymore.
'It hurts, I don't want this. I don't want to hurt anymore. Please someone, anyone save me from this pain' I though as tears streamed down my face. My thoughts were interrupted by the only door to my room creaked open drenching the room in blinding lights. Wiping my eyes quickly I forced myself to stop crying. The bad man would always hurt me more if I cried or struggled. "You're being very selfish Eri" he would say. Or if someone tried to stop him he would kill them. "See what you did, it's always your fault that I have to get my hands dirty because of you" then he would usually hit me.
"Let's go Eri" his voice rang out. He grabbed my arm and pulled me off the bed painfully. I had to force the tears to not leave my eyes. We made our way through the halls when all of the sudden movement to my right caught my eye. A door, leading to a hallway I've never seen before and someone going through it. 'Is that the way out, if I go through there will I be free?' I wondered.
Looking between the door and the bad man I quickly bit his hand making him scream and let me go. Without another thought I ran, Slipping past the stunned man. "Somebody stop her" I heard him shout. Turning to the left I see another door with light streaming through it. This light was different though.
I opened the door and slipped through the small crack made. Instantly I was covered in this warm felling as a gently breeze washed over me. I wish I could stay here and save this feeling but I heard shouts behind me. Looking around frantically I run down the street glancing behind me. The bad man was looking right at me as he ran my way.
'I can't go back' I thought as I spot a gab between the buildings and run down it. It was dark but I could still see where I was going. Turning the corner I glance behind me to see no-one there. Bursting out from between the buildings I bumped into something hard and fell back on my butt. "Woah, are you okay? You took quite the tumble" a voice I didn't know says. Looking up I see a hand reach towards me.
'no, it's happening again' I think as I flinch back squeezing my eyes shut. But the pain never came. Instead I was pulled up into the unknown persons arms. 'it's so... warm. I'm not afraid? I want this feeling to stay' I wonder as I cling to the mans outfit.
Izuku's POV:
This small girl came rushing out of the Alley and bumped into me tumbling back onto her butt. Looking down at her I took in her appearance in an instance. She had unkept bluish-white hair that went down to her waist and a horn on the right side of her head. She had large red innocent-looking eyes that held nothing but pure terror. Wearing a plain tattered and dirty tan dress that showed off her arms and legs. Both arms and legs were covered in bandages stopping around her wrists and ankles.
Instantly I knew something was off and my instincts were screaming at me to protect this girl. "Woah, are you okay? You took quite the tumble" I say as I reach to help her up. When I reached out to her though she flinched and the pure terror flashed through her eyes again. My anger skyrocketed again, not at the girl but at whatever was causing her to be afraid.
I pulled her into my arms and she stiffened for a second before clinging to my hero outfit as if I would disappear the instant she let go. "Hey, it's okay. Everything's fine now, see" I say as she looks up at me with wide eyes brimming with tears. I flash her a comforting smile and her grip on my outfit tightened as she buries her head in my chest.
From the alley I heard the fain sound of footsteps. They were slow and ominous as if it was some predictor staling towards it's prey. I looked to Mirio a second later and could see he just started hearing it too as his gaze flicks from the girl to the alley. "I apologize for my daughter, she's always getting into trouble" A voice says and a second later the man that it belongs too steps out of the shadows.
I froze, unable to think properly. Standing before us was Kai Chisaki, the leader of the Hassaikai group Sir Nighteye was investigating.
I was brought out of my thoughts when Mirio placed a hand on my shoulder. I'm sure if I had a mask be would pull it down more but my costume doesn't have one. "Whoopsie daisy, looks like they took a bit of a tumble there. Sorry about that, it's our fault too since we weren't looking where we were going" Mirio says even though his smile is now forced.
'Right, if I let him know that we know who he is then he'll get suspicious and that could ruin the entire case" I think to myself.
"I know that mask, you must be from the Hassaikai, right? You guys are famous around here" Mirio asks. "Yah, please don't mind the mask. It keeps out the filth" he says as if we were the filth. "I don't believe I've seen the two of you before" Chisaki finishes.
"That makes sense, I'm sure you already guessed but we're still pretty new. Now, on your feet partner. Can't do much heroing from the ground, am I right?" Mirio says though I could sense that it was forced.
"So, what agency do you belong to?" Chisaki asks clearly fishing for information. "Oh no, we're only student's right now. Far too lowly to be claiming association with an agency. We're just doing internships to get some experience" mirio replies. 'Smart, don't give him Nighteyes name. Don't give him a reason to be suspicious' I think as I stand up picking Eri up into my arms.
"Speaking of experience, we need to finish patrolling this division by lunch. Come on, lets go" he says waving me on. "Right" I say only for Eri to tighten her grip in fear. I could sense the absolute terror rolling off her in waves.
"P-Please, don't go" she says in a soft trembling voice. It was barely a whisper but the message was screaming in my face. My instincts kicked up again and my rage increased.
"What are you doing to this girl?" I growl out holding her tighter but being careful not to hurt or scare her. "Oh, Eri is just a little clumsy is all. She's always falling down and getting hurt" He replies with a wave of the hand as if it wasn't a big deal.
The thing is, I didn't need enhanced senses to know that what he just said was nothing but pure Bull shit. I couldn't help but let out a growl as one of my tails wraps around my front blocking Eri. The other eight tails flicking dangerously as if they were made of fire.
The tension in the air was so thick. " This goes beyond being clumsy. She's scared" I growl out. "A simple reaction to being scolded" Chisaki says narrowing her eyes. I'm sure Mirio was screaming at me mentally. Something like 'you're making him more suspicious' but I couldn't let this be.
"She has bandages all over, those can't just be from falling a few times. Her whole body is shaking but she won't make a sound. Does that seem normal to you?" I question placing a hand on the back of her head for comfort. "It's dangerous to make assumptions about what's normal for other people" the masked man replies now full on glaring at me.
"Yah, Everybody's different, am I right?" Mirio asks.
3rd person POV:
'This is bad, Chisaki obviously doesn't want us to pry. If we spook him now then he'll be less likely to show himself in the future' Mirio thinks to himself as Kitsune and Chisaki glare at each other.
'We have to let it go' Mirio thinks. 'Mirio wants us to leave but that would only make him more suspicious. What hero would abandon a frightened child?" the young Kit questions himself. "Don't worry Eri, I will protect you" Izuku whispers to the small girl in his arms. "So I ask you again. Tell me what you are doing to this girl?" Kitsune asks Chisaki in a tone that leaves no room for discussion.
Chisaki let out a loud sigh. "You heroes really do pick up on the subtlest things don't you? Very well, this situation is a bit embarrasing so I would prefer to discuss it somewhere less public" he says gesturing to the alley behind him.
they make their way into the alley after him. "It's hard to admit that you have trouble controlling your own child but lately Eri has been defying me no matter what I try" Chisaki says without looking back. The way he spoke and the subtle changes in his tone really made Izuku wonder if he was Eri's dad or not. Before Izuku could push the subject further Mirio cut the younger boy off however.
"Parenting man, that can't be easy" he says trying to cover up his nervousness with a smile.
"Yes, children are tricky. So determined to do whatever they want that sometimes" he says pausing for a second. He reaches for his glove as he glances behind him A wave of killing intent washing off of him. Eri met his eye briefly clearly feeling the wave of malice. She suddenly has a flashback to the last time one of the newer members of the Hassaikai tried to stop Chisaki from hurting her. He was killed with no mercy.
She quickly pushes off off Izuku and lands on the ground shocking the boy. Running up to the older masked man she stops next to him. "oh good, are you done with your temper tantrum?" he questions only getting a nod in return. Izuku's Instincts were screaming at him now to rush forward and protect the young girl but Mirio placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"Eri, are you sure?" Izuku questions. "Oh don't worry, she's always like this. I'm sure you have better things to so. Good luck with your internships" Chisaki says as they retreat into the alley.
Once again Eri is thrown into despair but this time there was a light. This light got smaller and smaller as she walked away from the aspiring hero but never dimmed and never disappeared, even as they turned the corner.
Eri's POV:
Once we made it back to the base I was handed over to one of the other higher ups as he followed the bad man. "Children these days seem to only get sicker and sicker than ever. Chrono, prepare the bath" he says. "yes sir" the guy carrying me says.
We started passing the guy I passed when I ran. "I'm really sorry boss, I wasn't able to grab her before she made it outside" he says. As we pass the bad man reaches out his gloveless hand as blood splatters across the walls. I covered my ears and shut my eyes tight. 'Why, why does this have to happen?' I question myself.
"And clean that up" the bad man orders. "This is maddening, they're all infected with hero syndrome" he growls out.
Izuku's POV:
Making our way out of the the alleyway Mirio quickly contacted Sir Nighteye. Everything seemed to move in a blur as we met up and gave our report. I had this ringing my ears that wouldn't go away. It was followed by a voice in my head telling me that I failed. Mirio was telling them about Eri. "oh, Sir" Mirio says. "We might have gotten some more intel. He has a daughter" Mirio says. "A daughter?" Sir Nighteye asks. "I'm not so sure they're actually related. She was a little girl who he called Eri. The way he interacted with her and spoke about her showed very little familial connection even if he called her his daughter. Her limbs were all wrapped in bandages. I don't know anything else about her but she was asking for help and I failed to save her" I say.
"I won't let your arrogance interfere with this case" Nighteye snaps. "Haste makes you sloppy, more likely to make mistakes. If you rush then they are that much more likely to escape. You're not so special that you can save whoever you want whenever you want. We've asked other agencies to team up with us. We must first prove that they are up to something then make preparations to face him. Good intentions aren't enough to save the world" He says.
We made our way back to the agency before being excused for the day. It was raining now and I trudged my way through the nearly empty streets head hung low. Before I knew it I was back at the UA dorms.
Walking through the doors I was quickly greeted by my other classmates. "Hey babe" Aiko calls but when she sees me she stands and rushes to my side. "What's wrong?" She asks in a soft voice. "Not here" I whisper back before we make our way to my room.
I quickly went on to explain what happened today. "I failed her, she asked for help and I couldn't do anything to save her" I say in a broken voice tears in my eyes. She pulled me into a hug and rubbed small circles on my back.
"Hey, it'll all work out. Just because you couldn't do anything today doesn't mean you can't save her" Aiko says soothingly. We stayed like this for a while as my eyes started becoming heavy. Before I knew it I fell asleep to Aiko rubbing her hand through my hair and humming a soft tune. 'I will do better next time' was the last thought I had before I fell asleep.
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Word Count - 3,376 words
Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I know there wasn't a song in this chapter but I couldn't really find a good place to put one in since there wasn't any combat or a good opportunity.
I Hope you all enjoyed and please consider following my account for future Fanfiction I might put out.