Chapter Text
“You’re going away?” You look up at Tenko, eyes wide and wet.
“Just for a couple of weeks! Dad has a business trip, and he wants to take us along!” He waves his hands around, desperate to get the sad look off of your face. “And then we’ll be right back! And we can video call’n stuff! Mom still has your dad’s number, so we can talk all the time!”
“But…” But that leaves you with less time, “But I don’t want you to go…”
He keeps talking, and when he takes your hand, you force a smile.
You’re not upset with him, or even really upset that he’s going away. Of course his dad would want to take his family with him on a trip.
It’s just… it’s the new year. You celebrated with your friends, able to laugh and dance around, but deep in your heart worry began to fester.
(This is when Mr. And Mrs. Magi die. When Nao dies. When Hana dies)
This is the year that Shigaraki Tomura could be born.
(This is the year that Tenko could die)
“When do you come back?”
“Dad says March 21.”
“The twenty-first?! But that’s-! You’re going to be gone for a month?” Your voice goes hoarse as he nods slowly.
“Dad says he doesn’t want to be away from his family for a such a big time.” Tenko wrinkles his nose, and though your quirk isn’t reading minds, you can almost guess what he’s thinking.
He probably wouldn’t mind being away from his father for such a long while.
You and Tenko are actually supposed to be working on the math problems that the lesson-planner gave you, your still-weekly learning club meeting thing, but with your combined minds- and your past-life knowledge -the two of you almost always finish early and spend the rest of the time talking.
Kotaro and your dad are seated a few yards away in the library, each working on separate computers. When you first came in, and saw him with Tenko instead of Nao, you and your dad shared a look of distaste.
But Kotaro isn’t… awful. At least, not when compared with other fathers.
There are some that are crueler than anything, without an ounce of love for anyone.
Kotaro isn’t like that.
He hasn’t laid hands on his family (yet) and he actually tries to pay attention to them.
He goes to Hana’s awards ceremonies at school, brings Nao home flowers, he was even just talking to your dad about helping Tenko get ready for his own first year.
It all seems good in the abstract.
But you can see how your friends tense up around him, how Nao suddenly gets quieter, how Mr. and Mrs. Magi always share a glance of regret and grief over him…
You can see how what eventually (might) happen happens.
“Tenko, when we call- and it has to be every day -you’ll tell me about everything that happened to you since we last talked, right? You won’t leave anything out.” You take a deep breath, “So that way it’s almost like I’m there with you, no matter how far away you are!”
“Of course! So it’s like we were never be parted!” He squeezes your hand, his own smile more genuine than yours.
You nod resolutely
“Never part,” you murmur like an invocation, before smiling at him, your eyes crinkling at the corners. “So, where are you going? Are you excited?”
Tenko nods, talking all about the upcoming trip, to New York, it turns out.
He mentions the sights he wants to see, the American food he wants to try- including the fascinating and unique Real American Fried Chicken - and the fact he plans on finding the Big Apple itself.
You laugh at his determination, the silly face he’s making warming your heart.
Every day you call Tenko, just talking and talking and talking. New York is 13 hours behind Japan, so your calling times are pretty varied, but the two of you always pick up when the phone rings.
You wander around as you talk to him, right until one of your phones dies, to your parents, the owners of said phones, chagrin.
Hana joins in off-screen sometimes, shouting random additions to his story, but he shoos her away more often than not.
Several members of the Shie Hassaikai can’t help but poke their heads in whatever room you’re in, listening to either you or Tenko ramble about whatever is your most recent thought. The happy chatter your pair creates makes them smile.
Chisaki on the other hand looks much like a hostage, absolutely hating it.
He says you and Tenko sound like a pair of chattering monkeys, something that made you gasp and shout over.
He, pretty dramatically if you’re being honest, has taken to wearing earmuffs while he’s with you and you’re on the phone.
(Though you swear you caught him slip off the side that was opposite of you, as if to listen in as well. Hmm)
Anyway, you just ignore him.
Talking to Tenko over the phone is just like talking to him face-to-face. Easy, simple, and warm.
It’s good.
You’re minding your own business in the library today, playing shogi with Chisaki and muttering grimly about his choice of strategy, when Ms. Sato walks in, frowns at you as if finding you doing something you weren’t supposed to be, and clicks her tongue.
You point to yourself questioningly.
“Yes you, young lady. Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready?”
“Ready? Ready for…?”
“Oh for goodness sake.”
She sighs heavily before snatching you up, leaving you to blurt “oh I guess this game is over I’d totally be winning anyway if she didn’t save you!” to Chisaki as you’re kidnapped and absconded off to who knows where.
The actual where is the bathroom, in which she tells to take a bath and then put on this very specific kimono she’s leaving out.
Bath time? But it’s only 4 o’clock! You grumble as you climb into the tub, scrubbing your skin and hair meticulously.
After drying and finding that Ms. Sato’s taste is impeccable as always, the kimono adorable and a perfect fit, you find her, and she starts doing your hair, which is a process to say the least.
Chisaki joins about hallways through, having changed into montsuki.
Does everybody know something I don’t? You think to yourself.
“You’re going to want to look your best. This is going to bring honor, not just to Lord Hirayama and your father, but to the entire Shie Hassaikai.” Ms. Sato says, still not quite explaining what, exactly, is going on.
“Hah?” You ask, as Ms. Sato battles your hair, twisting it up into a style not unlike her own severe one. “What’s happening?”
“Haven’t you been paying any attention?” Chisaki brushes through his own hair, and you wouldn’t be shocked if he’s counting till his hundredth stroke. “Pops is having an accord with another yakuza. Because of that, we need to look honorable and professional.”
Professional? Dude, you’re ten and I’m three.
You open your mouth to respond, but Ms. Sato tugs expertly at your hair, as though a preemptive strike to keep you from saying something sarcastic and unladylike.
You must’ve heard someone talking about it, as this meeting sounds familiar, but you’ve been too busy thinking about Tenko to really pay any attention.
“Oh. Ok.” A yakuza meeting… hmm. Sounds dangerous.
How exciting!
But nothing fun is probably going to happen. It’s an “accord” right? At least, according to Chisaki. So that’s like a peace meeting. All chill and quiet.
All will go great, you’re sure. Boring, probably, just adults sitting around talking, but great nonetheless.
Once done, Ms. Sato lines the two of you up in the inner courtyard like toy dolls. Shoulders up and back, spines straight, eyes forward, but not too forward, and chins perfectly aligned.
Then she leaves you, saying that she has to finishing a few more things.
People begin to file in, though your dad and Pops are noticeably missing.
Takeda is among those who takes place around the outer edge of the room. When he walks in, he just so accidentally happens to bump into you, dislodging you from the meticulous position Ms. Sato put you in.
You scowl at his retreating back, the annoying smirk he throws over his shoulder showing you it wasn’t so accidental.
Asshole. Who has beef with a three-year old?
“Ignore him,” Chisaki, who seems to have less and less patience for the man, tells you.
And so the two of you stand there.
And stand there.
And stand there.
“Hey, when’s this meeting thing supposed to start?” You mutter out of the corner of your mouth.
“At 5:15.” Chisaki replies, frowning down at his wrist. “I can’t tell you what time it is now, I don’t have a watch.”
You hide a snort, his distress over not having one evident.
Drama Queen.
You kick at a loose stone, Chisaki’s eyes flicking down to it and then back up at you.
“Where’s Ichiro?”
“He’s probably guarding the south entrance. We can’t just leave everything open.”
More waiting.
“Good grief, I’ll be as old as Pops by the time this actually starts.” You tell him.
You can see him bury a smile, and you’re about to say something else when your dad and Pops finally come in.
Your dad shoots you a wink, and you grin back at him.
“You two look very fine.” Pops nods at you both, and you stand up straighter. “All of you do. I am glad to call you my fellow workers in the Shie Hassiakai, and I am certain that this meeting will bring peace and prosperity for us all.”
“Sir,” One of the members calls, “They’re here.”
The other yakuza funnel in slowly, all clad with matching colors and symbols. They were introduced, the Warui Otoko-tachi themselves, and your eyes skim over all of the members.
Kinda plain looking, if you’re being honest. No sense of fashion.
Finally, a woman comes in, elegantly clad in a formal kimono of golds and blue.
She smiles at Pops, her eyes shrewd. Pops smiles back genially, and the two bow shallowly to each other.
“Hirayama Ryo. It is good to see your face after all this time.”
“You as well, Hojo Yaeko. Come, let us eat and drink and find enjoyment in our works.”
The two sit at the table set in the middle of the inner courtyard, and you study the procession that came with her.
All of the members of both yakuzas are mostly just standing around the edges. You and Chisaki are the only children, obviously, and your dad stands a few steps away from Pops.
The two heads talk of small matters for a while, before the eyes of the woman, Lady Hojo, fall upon you.
They hover for a less than a second, a silt of thoughts mixing in them, before moving on to your dad with a light, amused glance.
Her eyes flick to Takeda, and then back to your father. Your dad scratches idly at the back of his neck, chin bopping up for a second as he does so.
(Takeda leaves shortly after, and when you look at Chisaki he mumbles something something Joining Ichiro south entrance something something stop talking. Whatever)
The woman reminds you of a fox, truly. The slightly narrowed way she covers over the world, the sharp way she holds herself, the tilt of her head, all of it.
When she grins at something Pops has said, it’s without teeth, her lips pressed together. Her voice is smooth, without inflection on any of her words.
All this to say, she’s kinda freaky and makes you super uncomfortable.
So it’s just amazing when she turns to you again and says “So sorry to interrupt you, Hirayama, but just who is that darling girl over there?”
“That is my aide Kaneko’s daughter. Beside her is another young member of our group.” Pops gestures to the two of you, indicating you should approach.
You do so, doing your best to remember each and every one of Ms. Sato’s lessons on elegance and grace, even the ones you definitely slept through.
“Chisaki Kai. Ten years old.” Chisaki says, bowing to her.
You copy him, introducing yourself and bowing. When you rise, a bit of your hair has fallen out of the pins Ms. Sato put it up in, and you swipe it back quickly.
The corner of the woman’s lips twitch, almost like a buried genuine reaction.
“Lovely to meet you both. I knew your father, girl, a long time ago.” She says, voice honey-soft.
Oh shoot, for real?
As much as you want to know more, you also figure now isn’t the best time, y’know, with the whole meeting and all.
(And also the fact she’s a yakuza head and probably wouldn’t, like, sit and talk with a kid)
You and Chisaki step back again, your job of being Shown Off done.
A few moments later Ms. Sato taps you and Chisaki on the shoulders.
“Come along now. It’s time for the adults to speak.”
You expect Chisaki to be upset about being sent away, or even just put up a bit of a fuss. Especially because it’s right in the middle of such a big deal meeting, and in his head he’s a big deal member.
He doesn’t, though, just nods and agrees.
Huh! Maybe he’s actually chilling out.
“You’re taking them to the library, right?” Your dad asks quietly as your troupe passes by.
“Mhm.” Ms. Sato nods.
“And they’re going to stay there?”
“Yes, Asahi, they won’t leave the library.” She gives him a funny look, but answers anyway.
He nods, shoulders easing down a bit.
“Sorry. Just overprotective, I guess.” He smiles at you, though he looks tired.
Poor dad. He must not be sleeping well, something keeping him up at night. probably this meeting. You imagine it was a major source of stress for everyone involved.
Ms. Sato leaves you both with strict orders not to leave the room, leveling her glare at Chisaki in particular.
“You wanna play-“ you start, walking over to where you figure Chisaki put the shogi board, only for him to interrupt you.
“Let’s go.”
“What? Go where?”
“We need to hear the rest of the discussion. This pact is an important part of the Shie Hassaikai’s future.” At your blank stare, he sighs, rolls his eyes, and continues slowly like you’re an idiot. “I’m going to be the next leader of the Shie Hassaikai. I’m taking over after Pops.”
“Right. So?”
“I’d be acting like a child if I had made a stink of it when Pops was very clearly having Sato dismiss us, but I still need to know about things such as these that are happening.”
(You bite your tongue very hard to keep from telling him that he is a child)
“Won’t Pops just tell you when you take over?”
“What if he can’t? What if he dies suddenly? Or gets sick? Or falls into a coma?”
You get very quiet.
“So there. I should know what’s going on.”
His ‘logic’ is not actual logic. It sounds mostly just like he wants to eavesdrop on the conversation.
“And you-.” He continues, pointing at you.
You blink at him, sitting pretty.
“You… you’ll probably still be hanging around me when we’re adults too.”
You frown.
“That makes you still apart of the Shie Hassiakai’s future as well!” He adds.
“Right.” You say, clearly unamused by his words.
“C’mon.”
And then he just leaves the library.
“C’mon’?” You repeat, hopping up and following him, “Where are we going to listen from?”
“The roof, we can keep watching the discussion from there.”
“The roof?!” You stop dead in your tracks, “Chisaki, you must be crazy. I’m not going into the roof.”
“You don’t need to worry about falling. You can fly.” He points out, as if this is perfectly reasonable.
“I don’t want to have to worry about flying, I don’t want to go on the roof at all!”
He snorts.
“Well, you can either join me or stay here.”
“I’m staying here.” You cross your arms, stomping your foot.
“Alright. I’ll tell you what happens later.”
And then he leaves you in the middle of the hallway.
You stand there for a second, and then a second more.
“Son of a- Chisaki wait up!” You follow him, lifting your kimono skirt to catch up.
“Why are we going here?”
“The best way to access the roof is through this alley. I’ve done it before.”
“What?!”
Chisaki stops in his tracks, and you, in your complete bafflement at the idea of him climbing onto the goddamn roof, run into his back.
“What’s-?” Chisaki hushes you with a sharp glare, pulling you back with a hand on your collar.
“You really think it’ll be this simple?” An unfamiliar voice mutters.
You freeze as he steps in front of you almost silently, your eyes turning slowly to the men crowded in the mouth of the alleyway.
“‘Course it’ll be. Didn’t you hear that man? Easy in and out, we’ll have the info and be gone in no time.”
“Maybe, but this is the Shie Hassaikai. Nothings ever that easy.”
“They may be the Shie Hassaikai, but we’re the Warui Otoko-tachi, and we-“
There’s sounds of a blow landing, and a deeper voice joins the other two.
“Shut your fool mouths.” It hisses, “We have a job to do and we can’t be doing that with you announcing it to the world.”
“Aye, jeez, alright boss man.”
“I’ve got the alert. He’s left the entrance. Get your asses in gear.”
The voices fade as the trio walk away, and you and Chisaki look to each other.
“They’re gonna betray Pops,” you whisper, and he nods.
“We have to tell him.” He says, and there’s a gleam in his eyes that twinges your heart.
The two of you silently dart back into the building, him a half-step ahead of you.
“What’s going to happen, Chisaki?” Your voice is shaky as the two of you move, and it distantly registers that you don’t see any adults.
They’re probably all in the center too, right? So then if someone attacks, or throws a bomb, or has a quirk that could be used-
He stops suddenly, turning to look back at you.
“What’s wrong? We need to tell Pops, right?”
He’s silent, appraising you, all three years old of yourself.
“Follow me.”
Chisaki leads you to the tunnels under the compound. You can hear the stomp of people above you, someone fetching something or another, their every move sharp enough to send the lights flickering.
You have to go tell Pops. Why is he leading you down here? You need to move faster and tell him.
(You thought this was supposed to be a simple meeting. Weren’t they just going to talk? The yakuza groups have to know they can’t fight, right? Else the police, the heroes-)
“Stay here,” Chisaki hisses, pushing you into a dark corner.
Your hand flies out, gripping the corner of his sleeve. Your eyes are wide, your hold is tight, your breath rasping in and out.
“Where are you going?”
“I have to go help.”
“You’re leaving me?” Your voice cracks and you don’t let go.
“I have to go help.” He says it harsher this time, pulling at your hand against him. “A fight could break out. I’m needed up there. You’re too young. You could get hurt.”
“But- you- you can’t! You can’t leave me,” It’s selfish and desperate but you don’t want to be alone, not when there’s fighting going on and you could die what if you die again-
“Let go of me.” He snaps, finally breaking free of you.
“You swore that you’d protect me. Please don’t leave me alone.”
He turns away, his eyes soften, and his hands flick, as though he wants to turn back.
“This is how I protect you,” he says at long last. He pulls his gaze away from you forcefully, wincing. “I protect Pops. I protect the Shie Hassaikai, and thus I protect you, too.”
He turns his head, like he wants to look at you one more time, before pushing one foot in front of the other, leaving the tunnels.
You curl up, pulling your knees against your chest. Your eyes dart at every shift in the tunnels, every creak from above.
Your breaths are sharp, and you try to silence them.
Rationalize this, you tell yourself, be logical. Don’t be scared of nothing.
You’re in the safest place you could be. You’re levels underground, hidden away from even members of your own yakuza! No one knows you’re down here, and no one knows how to get in, unless they’re apart of the Shie Hassaikai.
Chisaki knows all this. That’s why he brought you here. That’s why he hid you away. He’s keeping you safe.
You breathe out slowly, nodding to yourself.
It takes five minutes or so, but you calm down.
(Good grief, what came over you? You’re a bit embarrassed of your original reaction to him leaving. There was no reason to be so dramatic about it. Everything’s fine)
You’re safe.
The noise above rises, slowly, though you can’t tell what’s going on. It begins to muffle, and you force a smile. It’s probably all over now. Whatever happened, whatever started, it’s over.
You hear the sound of footsteps. Chisaki, come to retrieve you. You start to stand.
Your face freezes.
You don’t recognize the cadence of the steps.
Kai tears through the hallways, running past other members who stand in the halls, attending to their duties.
They don’t know what’s going to happen, but he does. He does and he’s going to stop it. Unlike the others who shrink back from their duty, he’ll fulfill it, down to the last letter.
He’s protecting that which he cares about and that’ll never let him fear then why isn’t he still down there with you? which is why he’s warning Pops before someone can start a fight that will cost too much.
He bursts into the light of the day, eyes zeroing in on the group in the middle.
Pops is speaking to the woman in the middle of the courtyard. Though she’s the leader of the Warui Otoko-tachi, Kai doesn’t stop to remember her name.
He takes a deep breath, brushing back his fly-away hair and adjusting his gloves. He needs to approach Pops without signaling to the woman that her plans have been given away. He needs to be smart about this.
He approaches Pops, silently slipping through the crowd. He’s almost at him, too, when he’s intercepted.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Sato demands quietly, her hand on his shoulder and turning him around.
“I have something important to tell Pops. There’s-“
(Your father glances over at the quiet interruption, doing a double take at the sight of Kai)
“Whatever it is can wait, of this I’m sure. Now is not the time to be running in and interrupting a peace meeting.”
“Listen to me, Sato, please, there’s-“
“What are you doing up here?” Your dad hisses, having rushed his way through the crowd to Kai, “Where’s my daughter?”
“Listen to me! The Warui Otoko-tachi are planning on betraying Pops! we need to tell him now!”
Sato’s eyes widen, and she motions to Saburo.
“Quickly, check Ichiro." She orders. He nods, leaving.
She moves to Pops side to whisper quietly into his ear so quickly it’s almost as though she was never there.
“What is the meaning of this, Hojo?” He hears Pops say, “Do you dare to break the treaty now, of all times?”
“Hirayama,” the woman replies, voice as smooth as a bell, “I would never dream of doing something so foolish. I think we both understand how important this is.”
“Then why, pray tell, have I heard reports otherwise?”
“I cannot imagine. Perhaps the boy simply got overexcited, misunderstood things.” Her eerie eyes fall upon Kai, who dares to stare back, just as boldly.
“Perhaps. Though I doubt-“ Pops stops in his tracks.
Your father still hasn’t let go of Chisaki’s arm, though.
“Where’s my daughter? I need you to tell me now, she can’t-“
“Be caught in the crossfire? She’s fine, I hid her away in the tunnels.” Kai shakes off your dad’s grip, glaring at him as he does.
Your father’s face goes pale. He sways on his feet, turning to the compound with an ill look in his eyes.
Every single face turns, almost of their own accord, in the same direction. One by one, the members of the two different yakuza’s go through stages of grief and rage.
Kai turns.
Saburo steps out of the entrance, his hands raised and shaking. All eyes are on him.
Blood drips from his shaking hands.
“I-Ichiro… my brother-“ he chokes, and Kai fills in the blanks.
Ichiro, who is guarding the south entrance to the tunnels. He’s-
Your father voice shakes as he whispers your name.
“No.”
Chaos descends behind him, members pulling out weapons or activating their quirks. It’s going to lead to a standoff, a gunfight if they’re unlucky. Kai knows this, and knows his quirk could help. He could use it to divide the people, or to lift the ground in order to create blockades behind. Your father, their one healer, leaves, rushing towards the vase the opens the doors to the tunnels.
He could save lives if he stays. He will serve Pops best if he stays. He’ll protect the Shie Hassaikai if he stays. He will save lives if he stays.
And yet the choice is an easy one to meet.
He rushes for the tunnels.
The steps get closer and closer, and for once you thank God for the fact these tunnels are so dark and dingy.
You can curl up in this far corner, as tightly as you possibly can, and no one will know. They won’t know. They won’t know that you’re hidden away here.
You alternate between squeezing your eyes shut and forcing them open.
(If something happens to you, if someone tries to hurt you, you want to be able to look them in their eyes. You want to see, so you can escape)
As they get closer and closer, you can hear your heart pounding in your ears. The beat rises slowly, your teeth running against your tongue as you hold it back.
You can’t let a sound escape. If they see you, if they hear you…
As the people approaching slows near your corner, the lights flicker. They stop.
You focus every inch of your body. If they’re going to try and hurt you, you’re not going down without tearing as much of them as they try with you.
One gives a nervous chuckle.
“You’d think, for all their wealth, the Shie Hassaikai would have a better cleaning crew.”
“Shut up, Gil.”
They continue, one person marching forward quickly, and the other half-stepping hesitantly behind him.
You wait. Your head feels light. The steps fade. You finally breathe again.
Thank God.
Before you can think, a hand grabs you, ripping you from your corner.
“I thought I heard something,” The man says, eyes like a periscope, zoomed in and focused on your face. He carries you to the other two, who hadn’t truly left, their ruse only done so he could sneak up on you.
You scream.
You scream and kick and scratch and throw your entire body weight around, writhing in the grip of the first man, who passes you to the second.
(You refuse to die without a fight. Not if you can help it. Not this time)
You activate your quirk, kicking it to as high a gear as you can to slip away, but a blunt fist against your head jostles you, sending stars careening in front of your eyes.
The one holding you laughs, tossing you back and forth. The others watching him throw you around, almost as if they’re unsure of what to do with you. You’re still yowling and screeching, praying that anyone will hear you.
That Chisaki will come back. That your dad will appear suddenly and save you. That you won’t die.
You swing wildly, your fist connecting with the one who’s keeping you in places jaw with a solid crack.
“Oh, yikes! You’re a fierce one, aren’t you?” He jerks you back and forth, causing you to blink thickly as you try to reorient yourself. His hands grow, wrapping around you like vines and restricting your movements. “You won’t be when we cut your neck, though. Leave a little present for dear old Hirayama.”
“Don’t do that,” the second says softly. He shuffles back and forth, eyes darting around.
“Shut up” The one who snatched you originally snarls, “We need a hostage. She’ll work.”
“She’s just a kid,” the second weakly protests again, his hands wringing back and forth like a noose.
“Both of you stop talking.” The periscope man, the one who seems like their leader, studies you, watching as you stare back. “Jesus. You really are his. I’d recognize that defiance anywhere. Kaneko had a kid.”
“If he had a kid, chances are she has his powers, right?”
“Even if she doesn’t, I owe him quite a bit.” His tone grows dark as he ruffles your hair, a twisted version of how your dad brushes it out of your face. “Maybe once we complete the assignment. Be good to have collateral till then.”
“But the deal-“ the second says, cut off by a gesture from the first.
“Forget about the deal. If an accident happened, tough shit. Who’s he going to call, Hirayama?” He barks out a laugh, “Unlikely. I hope you don’t mind, little girl. Sins of thy father and all.”
You stop struggling only for a second to spit out something muffled from through your captors vice-like grip.
“I think she just cursed at you, Boss!” The one holding you laughs, moving you so that you’re upside down and facing him. “Wanna say it again, brat?”
Your necklace falls through his fingers, the feather an inch away from your nose. You glare at him, stewing in silence as you try to plan a way to escape.
You know the statistics, if you get taken to second location-
“No, no, say it one more time!” The man seems stuck on the joke you make as you try to fight back, even as the other two scowl and sigh respectively.“Maybe you need a bit of motivation, yeah?”
You screech something unintelligible, the sound barely getting through. He laughs again, while their leader starts to make his way through the hallway. You try and active your quirk, but his grip is so vice-like that you can’t. All you can do is twist your neck back and forth, as though turning to beg for mercy from him.
The push under your skin that means your ability is active starts to recede as your desperation raises.
And like a flash through your nerves, you get an idea.
He holds you up higher, his eyes glimmering in humor.
You steel yourself, readying to active your ability again to make a quick get away.
“One more, kid!”
It twists and roils, waiting for your signal.
(You don’t notice, but the man holding you starts to slow, his grin creasing at the edges. Suddenly, he feels tired. How odd. As you twist it so your quirk is at your call, it doesn’t just push in expelling. It starts to pull)
“I’ve had just enough of telling you to shut your goddamn mouths.” The leader hisses, your captor turning to frown at him.
This is going to hurt like a bitch.
“It’s just a joke, boss, I’m-“ his words choke off you a shout of pain as you rear your head back, building moment to then drive your forehead into his nose.
Damn you were right.
He drops you, clutching at the blood spurting out of his nose. The others twist quickly to assist, but you’re already on the move, shooting out your ability from every part of your body.
You blaze down the hallway, your quirk streaming out from behind you.
You need to be quick, you need to escape, but how can you? You only came down here once with Chisaki- and God you wish he was here -and you don’t know where the exit is. Trying to hide won’t do anything for you, not if the leaders eyes do more than just zoom in, and you still don’t know what the third one can do.
You shake your head. You can just keep going.
(But you can’t. You’re underground. Your quirk will burn out on you)
So what do you do?
Just keep running. An idea will come to you. Either that or Chisaki will.
And so you do.
(You don’t notice that a new color has joined the soft peaches, golds, and pinks that make up your ability. It’s blue, and only there for a moment before it burns out of your system. The man you took it from, unintentionally as it was, stumbles in his chase)
As you twist around another corner, you slam onto a stop, the second, cowardly man standing there, arms spread as though to stop you.
You careen through the air, flipping onto your back and then righting yourself as you turn in another direction, but he’s there again.
No matter where you turn or which hall you turn down, he’s there, waiting for you.
His face is apologetic, but you don’t care, not when the first man grabs you again, arm wrapped around your neck.
“I’m sorry,” the second man stares at the ground, as though to avoid your furious gaze.
“You really are his kiddo,” the leader laughs, “Though I would’ve thought Kaneko’s daughter would be a bit better trained in fighting.”
You growl at him, clawing uselessly on his arm.
“I don’t think activating your quirk again would be a good idea, do you?” He asks, smiling pleasantly like he doesn’t have his arm around your neck in a chokehold.
(It’s a familiar picture. You’ve been held like this before, but now you don’t have your dad to hold you safe)
“You bitch! You broke my nose!” The man who held you originally finally catches up to the other two. You glare at him, about to shout something, when he hits you.
It’s not like a blow you’ve felt before. Nothing like messing around with your friends or running into a door, or even falling to the ground.
Nothing like a fight.
This blow is angry, vengeful, and hard on a three-year old body.
Your head snaps back, teeth cracking against each other, hair falling out of the deliberate and careful style Ms. Sato had so carefully set up for you.
And yet when you look at him, strands falling into your eyes as they blaze defiantly, his nose pouring out blood, you know you’re not sorry. Not sorry at all. You’d do it again.
You’re about to snarl as much when he bursts in a spray of blood.
You weren’t where he left you. You weren’t where you were supposed to be. Where you would be safe.
He put you there to keep you safe.
Your father stumbles only for a second. He closes his eyes. Then he nods.
“Split up. She can’t have gone far.” He says, “I’ll take the right, you take the left.”
“They might’ve-“ Kai’s voice shakes, and your father jerks his head sharply.
“They wouldn’t. Not if they know what’s good for them.”
The way he says it leaves little to the imagination, and Kai nods in agreement.
Though your father is confident in his belief they won’t touch you, Kai wasn’t as much.
And now, as he just watched one of them hit you- hit you, the unclean filth dared to touch you -his fury is a cold pulse through his veins.
“Get your hands off of her and I’ll kill you quickly.” Comes the low growl from his throat.
The man not holding you pales, his shaking hands raised. The other simply inclines his brow.
They’re not fools, though, they see what he did to their friend.
“Bold, kid, but I wouldn’t risk a threat. Not if I were you.” He shakes you like a bag, your eyes trained on Kai the whole time. “We do have a bit of an advantage, after all.
“Then you’ve made your choice.”
“Good grief,” your captor rolls his eyes, “Gil, kill this kid.”
“Him? But he’s just a child, I don’t really think-“
“You seem to really be having trouble following orders today. Look at him. he’s weak. He’s leaning against the wall. Now, I said kill him.”
“My apologies.” The man murmurs. He reaches out for Kai, who watches him carefully.
And then the wall reaches for the man.
You watch as the walls of the tunnel start to shift and fold, exactly like they did in the show when Chisaki was Overhaul and was trying to escape with Eri.
The concrete and steel spins and turns, spearing itself down upon the man, who twists and drops to the ground, rolling out of the way at the last second.
“Interesting,” The man holding you seems sick of your straining and fighting and screaming, leveling another solid blow at the rear of your head.
Black spots dance across your vision, your head lolling forward as you fight to stay conscious. Three blows in less than an hour isn’t doing you any good, and you might end this with a concussion.
(That is, if you even leave this alive)
A bead of sweat falls down Chisaki’s brow, the only evidence of any strain.
He’s not like how he was in canon, able to use his quirk instantly without blowback. He’s only ten. Of course he’ll struggle.
“Earth manipulation? Perhaps,” the man holding you ponders, “Thus the iron in the blood killing Inojin. Fascinating.”
It’s apparently not fascinating enough to keep his attention, as he walks away, leaving behind the man who came in with him to do battle with Chisaki.
It’s almost distant in your mind, the fight that’s still occurring like tv static at the edge or your consciousness. You can hear the sounds of the wall still shifting, faintly see the man who’s holding you hostage as he glance down at you, mouth moving in silent words.
What you do hear is Kai’s frustrated shout as you’re taken, and then a terrible shriek of pain, the wet squelched of flesh and bone spilling, and a crystalline silence.
“Give her back to me.” Chisaki’s voice cuts through the dark of the hallway.
The man turns, frowning.
“Is that the best idea?” You force your eyes open, hand raised and bouncing off the man holding you weakly.
“I will not ask again.” Blood drips from Chisaki’s hand as he reaches forward.
“You don’t have to. Obviously, she’s important to you, so you won’t do anything. Not if you want her to keep breathing.”
Chisaki grits his teeth as the man pulls a knife out, holing it against your neck while he pinches your face.
“I’m going to leave. This mission has gone pretty pear-shaped, if I do say so myself. But I need a bit of leverage. I’ll take her with me, and drop her off a few blocks away. Then you can come and retrieve your little girl. And we’ll each go our separate ways. Sound good to you, little soldier?”
You hear something click behind you.
He’s going to betray Chisaki, your mind, addled as it is by the blows, still puts two and two together.
Chisaki’s eyes waver, looking at you. You try and force your mouth open to warn him.
A soft groan comes out instead of words.
He lowers his hands.
“Fine. But you must swear not to hurt her.”
“Of course not. I’m not so terrible as to hurt a child.” He grins, inclining his head at Chisaki, who watches with barely held fury simmering in his eyes.
Another soft click, and you straighten as much as you can.
“I suppose it’s time for us to leave.” The man says.
No time not time, you need to help.
You falter for only a minute, before you clamp your jaws around his hand. Your teeth sink in.
He screams, his other hand dropping whatever he was hiding, the steel-like click against the ground echoing through the hall.
You hesitate at the blood. The warm metallic fluid fills your mouth, thicker than water and worse than anything you’ve ever tasted.
And then you thinks about how these men were going to kill you, or worse, and the way they were going to hurt Chisaki. You force yourself to hesitate no longer, sinking your teeth in until they meet bone.
He flings his hand out, doing anything he can to get you off of him, sending you sprawling to the ground.
You activate your quirk a moment before you slam against it, shooting forward towards Chisaki.
You’re free thank God.
You’re finally free!
“We need to-!”
Thunder rumbles through the tunnels, and you flinch back as you always do.
How weird… thunder, this far underground? And Chisaki’s face…. The relief at you being free is getting eclipsed by horror. What happened?
And then, as you watch your own blood arc out in front of you, you realize what it was.
You’ve been shot.
Again.
(Again?)
Your feet stumble against the ground, your body falling forward. Chisaki is against the floor, leaving bloody handprints as he sends the ground up and traps the man behind you.
You’re not aware of that, though.
Your senses are fading as you fall into his outstretched arms, your body limp and out of your control.
You’re going to die again.
(You’re scared)
He shifts you in his arms, his lips moving over and over again in a silent plea that you cannot bear.
(You want to help him. You do. You just… can’t get your body to respond)
And so you do the only thing you're able to, with every system in yourself going haywire and sending off whatever final signals they can.
You pull your bloodied lips back and smile at him.
As your vision grows ever darker, you see the faintest bit of his eyes.
Just like sunshine, you think, and then you stop thinking all together.
Agony.
Writhing.
Twisting and ripping.
It burns.
It blazes.
It tears through flesh, cutting piece by piece in surgical precision.
Thrashing back and forth, wailing and crying and forcing life into veins and heart into beating again.
You scream awake.
Your eyes fly open, Chisaki huddled over you with hands rattling and the true power of his quirk running through your nervous system, whispered words your ears don't register falling off his lips.
(It almost sounds like a prayer)
You move your own, finding your voice.
“Chisaki…?”
His eyes fly open.
As soon as they meet your own, his arms wrap about you, fingers burying in your hair and cradling your head against him. His shoulders are shaking.
Hesitantly, you return the embrace.
As soon as it hits you, the memories of what has just occurred falling back into place, your grip tightens and you tremble.
Silent tears fall, soaking into his shirt.
(His heart skitters like a rabbit as he keeps you in his embrace. The fear, the idea of losing you… it still haunts through him, making him hold you as tight as though he still expects you to slip away)
As soon as you’ve cried yourself out, eyes dry and nose running, he stands.
He helps you up to your feet, your knees weak.
Chisaki turns to the man.
His eyes are cold. Any trace of warmth, any mercy, any sunlight you thought rested there is gone. They are now vast empty pools of nothingness, clear in their intent and filled to the brim with void.
“Please,” the man begs, trapped in the stone that Chisaki placed him in, “Please.”
It doesn’t help.
Over and over Chisaki uses his quirk on the man.
At first, you don’t feel compassion for him. And then as you watch him die and be brought back again and again, and his words fill the halls before cutting off over and over, and he stares at you each time coming back and then he whispers please before dying and your friends eyes become colder and colder with each kill, and suddenly you can’t bear it, grabbing at his sleeve.
“Wait, Chisaki,” you blurt, “Wait.”
He doesn’t listen, and all you want him to do is stop.
“Kai!”
He pulls his hand away, looking back at you. For a second your clasp on his sleeve tightens as those same eyes stare at you.
And then they thaw, and he takes your hands in his own and you can see the regret and the pain and the penitence as he holds them as carefully as possible.
“Forgive me for not protecting you,” he murmurs, his tone guilt-ridden. “I- I apologize. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
The man is shaking on the floor, unable to form do anything beyond the fear inhabiting his eyes.
He begins to mouth something, and you clench your friend’s hand. There’s blood on them, and it spreads to your own as well.
“Don’t look at her.” Kai snaps, “She’s not going to help you. You have no right to look toward her.”
“I…” you croak. You don’t… want to help him, not really.
But at the same time, you can’t let him die.
(You cannot let your friend be what he becomes)
“Don’t hurt him anymore, please. Don’t kill him, please.”
“He deserves it. This is just.”
“It.. it’s not…” you trail off, clutching his hands, “Please don’t kill. I can’t stand violence.”
There’s a moment in which you fear he might continue.
And then he squeezes your hands.
“As you wish.”
Your dad finds you a few minutes later. He rushes to you, picking you up and holding you close against him. You can feel his shoulders shake as you reassure him that you’re alright, his quirk spreading around you with nothing left to heal.
You tell him everything.
He carries you out, his hand against Kai’s back as he leads you both back into the sun.
When you make it out of the tunnels, Pops is the first one to run up to you.
His eyes skim over both of you children, connecting with your father’s own as he questions him with his eyes.
Your dad shakes his head. Now isn’t the time.
Pops nods.
You, resting your head against your dad’s shoulder, watch the gathered members. Takdea stands next to Pops, ready to do anything in an instant should his leader order it.
All the rest seem worse for wear, bruised and scratched and bleeding here and there.
Kuua rests her hand on Saburo’s shoulders, and when you catch his eyes you try to smile comfortingly.
He can’t quite do it back.
“Sato,” your dad calls softly, “Can you please help my daughter wash up?”
She turns to you three, eyes widening as they skim over the blood on both you and Kai.
She nods, reaching for you, but you maintain your death-grip against your dad.
“I’m going to be right there,” he murmurs gently, “But wouldn’t you like to clean off? Everything will be ok. As soon as you’re done, I’ll be right with you. I’m not going to leave you.”
You weigh it over for a second. You really don’t want to be in these clothes anymore, and though the blood has long since cooled, it still sticks to your skin, mixing with your sweat.
“Alright.”
You let Ms. Sato take you from his arms, his shirt stained with crimson as you’re carried away. Kai stays on your tail, though he does go to another room to clean off himself.
Your dad explains to the rest what happened in the tunnels, that the blood isn’t all from you. Pops sends a few men to the tunnels to collect the man that’s left, and to… deal with the mess.
“How could this happen?” Pops murmurs to himself, “How could they not only have the gall to betray us, but also get in so easily?”
“We tried to talk to the last one,” another member pipes up, “From the tunnels, I mean. But he’s… he’s raving like a madman. I don’t know what the kid did to him, but when I look at what’s left of the other two… yeah. I don’t think I want to know.”
“I,” your father’s voice is grave as he lifts his head, “Would like to make an accusation.”
After your father’s announcement, Pops did as he usually does for an accusation. He calls the two quarreling to private quarters, in order to find the truth. It’s what he did for your dad all those times that Takeda accused him.
And he does the same now that Asahi is accusing Takeda.
“This is absurd!” Takeda attempts to defend himself, “I would never betray you, Lord Hirayama! I am loyal, loyal to my dying breath!”
“If that is true, then why did you leave Ichiro to guard the south entrance alone?” Asahi’s accusing finger continues to grate on Takeda, “And if that was true, how did they know where it was? And why were you absent from the entirety of the fight to defend our fellow members?”
“I had stepped away only to make a lap and guard the building! I swear it, Lord Hirayama, I would never betray you, not even in my thoughts!”
“Both of you, silence. No more until Jin returns.” Lord Hirayama orders. Kai looks up at him, watching the way he studies the two men.
Though the meeting is meant to be private, several members hang around the walls of the room. After such an iron-hot betrayal to the yakuza, all are looking for answers.
Should said betrayal have started from the inside, well…
The point is that no matter which side is right, this isn’t a meeting that will be missed if it can be helped.
Kai himself is accounted as one of those seated and listening, directly at Pops right-hand and waiting for you.
He had cleaned off quickly, wanting to be there the second you were done, though Sato told him to go. She told him that you needed a minute, and no matter how much he wanted to stay, she physically forced him away. He had walked in on your father laying his accusation against Takeda, who had very little to excuse himself.
The problem is that all of it is circumstantial. All including your father saying he saw Takeda accepting something from one of the members of the Warui Otoko-tachi.
Thus, Lord Hirayama suggested sending a man to in to investigate Takeda’s room.
Takeda agreed, of course. What would he say otherwise? No? That would be an immediate admission of guilt.
The door opens.
“Sir.” Jin, the man he sent, has his voice hard as steel when he walks in. “I did as you asked.”
“And?”
He approaches Lord Hirayama, whispering something in his ear. He hands him a bag and a piece of paper. Lord Hirayama’s face gets increasingly red as he reads what the sheet says, but when he speaks his voice is calm as a lake.
“Takeda. Answer me. What is the meaning of this?”
Takeda takes the paper, and, at the same rate that Hirayama’s face turned red his turns pale.
“I-I swear! I had no hand in this, I would never have anything, much less agree to a deal with the Warui Oromo-tachi! I would never betray you, I swear!” He drops the letter, and Asahi lifts it from the floor, eyes ghosting over it as he reads it aloud.
It starts simple. A letter of well-wishes from Hojo Yaeko to members of the Shie Hassaikai. It follows with hopes for peace, and then towards the end, thinly veiled promises. Wealth, prestige, power.
Vengeance.
It’s a tempting deal, and easy for those listening to connect his treatment of you and your father to a lust for revenge. A lust that might push him to make foolish choices.
“I swear it!” Takeda turns to the listeners, who have lost any compassion they once held for him. “I swear, I would never-!”
“All know of your feelings towards me and my daughter, but I never thought it would-!“ Your dad growls out his words, hardly above tearing into Takeda. Takuni steps in, a hand on his shoulder to hold him back.
“Enough.” Hirayama interrupts again. “Takeda. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”
Takeda’s eyes dart up, the evidence for his betrayal laid out in front of him. As soon as they connect with Asahi’s, they widen, and then narrow as a snarl overtakes his lips.
“No, no you’re a liar! You’re a liar and you’re the traitor, and I’ll prove it!”
He unrolls his rice paper, snatching up a knife out of it. As he charges up to your father, several men leap into action, though your dad looks perfectly calm.
As soon as he gets close enough, Asahi grabs a his wrist and snaps up, breaking the charge. He pulls Takeda close in portrayal of taking him down, but as his mouth passes his ear, he speaks, harsh and quick.
“I haven’t forgotten. Not you being cruel to my daughter, nor you trying to incur Hirayama’s wrath on us with her ability.” Your father leans back, though his lips keep moving, “I remember how you cut her when we were first brought back.”
Takeda’s wide eyes slump close along with his body as he’s hit by another members quirk. His body goes limp, fallen to the floor.
“I can’t believe he would just charge at you like that.” Takuni says, “I always knew the kid was a bit different, but not so wild as to make a mistake like that.”
Your dad looks down at him without a hint of emotion in his eyes.
“He believed me to be a threat to Lord Hirayama. Men do crazy things when faced when the task of protecting those they care for.“
Kai watches him get carried out, mind a thousand miles per hour. His eyes skim over your father, but when you burst into the room 4 minutes later, he leaves it be. He watches as your dad picks you up and spins you around, the relieved grin on your father’s face enough for him.
Your father couldn’t have betrayed them. No, that wouldn’t make sense. He’d be putting you at risk. And he’d never do that, even unintentionally.
You whisper something to your dad, who puts you down carefully, like fine china that will break if he moves too quickly.
You move closer to Kai, your dad right behind you before you gesture for him to stop. He clearly doesn’t like it, but agrees.
“Chisaki,” you say, looking down and then up and then away, “I...”
You can’t seem to have the words, and as he opens his mouth to say something that can’t seem to come he realizes he doesn’t either.
(He still feels the guilt of leaving you)
“I think that… you... and I…” he trails off, finding he can’t maintain eye-contact. “Are friends.”
“Right,” You nod, “We are.”
It doesn’t feel like enough, though.
His guilt for it all still sludges in his stomach. He resolves to say something, do anything to make you happy.
And he thinks he knows exactly what to say now.
“And since we’re friends…”
Your eyes flick over him, curiosity lurking in them.
“It would be… perhaps… appropriate to use personal names.
You stop only for a second before your eyes light up.
“Chisaki, are you saying that I can call you… Kai?”
“I am.”
“Ok,” a smile graces your lips, “Kai.”
(When you smiled in the tunnels, when you were- no.
That… that hurt. He doesn’t want that to be the first real smile you gave him. It won’t be, not in his mind)
He had mused for quite a while that when you finally smiled at him- a genuine one, not forced like the ones you gave him when the two of you first met -it would be a sight unlike anything he’d ever seen.
And he’s right, of course.
Your smile is magnificent.
“Kai, can I hold your hand?” You offer, yours held out.
(Of course you could ask to hold his heart, and in this instant he’d pull it from his chest)
Instead of going that far though, (and that thought is one that later he’ll forcibly dismiss as hysterical) he gives you his hand.
He slips his glove off, placing his in your own.
Nothing happens as he does. No rash, nor irritation, not even a twinge. Just your hand in his own, like it’s meant to be there.
(He thinks it is, actually)
You smile even larger, and then say something devastating.
“So, since you’re Kai now, you can call me by my first name too.”
Well. That’s… no. That’s a bit… too far.
“…”
“Right, Kai?”
“I will… it might be…” He trails off, and you raise your brow. “That is…”
You giggle lightly, shaking your head fondly at whatever face he's making.
“Baby steps, baby steps. Kai.”
You can’t sleep.
You’ve been tossing and turning all night, but it doesn’t help. Alone in your room, you’ve been watching the stars pass over.
Your dad had told you as any stories as he could, hummed your lullaby until you feigned sleep, and sat in here almost the whole night, only getting up twice to wash his hands.
You can hear him up again now, moving around the main room of your home. If you went to your window and opened it, you’re sure you’d see others unable to sleep as well.
You sigh, kicking off the blankets. There’s no point in staying in your bed. Your mind will just keep replaying what happened, over and over again.
You slip out of your room, your dad looking up from where he’s washing his hands in the kitchen.
“Still awake?”
“Couldn’t sleep.”
You join your dad, climbing up into the chair at the table.
“What are you doing?”
He thinks for a long moment, drying his hands. There are a few candles on the counter beside him, and he takes one, lighting it and placing it on the windowsill.
“When we were young, a friend and I thought that if you lost someone, you could guide them home with lights. Ichrio left us,” He glances at you, and you nod. Your dad had done his best to explain death to you, you being three and all, “And so I was setting up the candles.”
“Oh. Can I help?”
“Sure.”
He lights the rest of them, helping you drag over your chair so that you can put them with the first.
While you do that carefully, he washes his hands again.
“A little water clears of this deed,” he murmurs, though he cuts off whatever he was reciting and smiles when you look at him.
The two of you watch the candles flicker, the warm light a contrast to the moonless sky outside.
“Papa?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I talk to Tenko?”
“Sure.”
“I think this is for you, kiddo.” Moms phone is ringing, and it only takes him a second to realize it’s the tone he set up for you.
He takes it eagerly, excited to tell you about his day and his continued search for the answer over “The Big Apple”.
None of the Americans have answered his question, only giggling at him and calling him cute. He will not be deterred, though! He has you to report back to, and he won’t fail!
“Hi~!” He chirps, picking it up.
“Hey, Tenko.” Your voice is soft and tired. You sound… off.
Actually, now that he thinks about it, it’s really early in the morning where you are.
Why are you calling him now? Shouldn’t you be asleep?
“Are you ok?”
“Yeah… yeah, I’m ok. I just… wanted to hear your voice. Sorry.”
“No, no!” Mom shoots him a glance, his tone begging questions, and he waves his hands, shooing her away. It’s fine, mostly. Probably. “Let’s talk! What do you want to talk about?”
“Anything. Tell me about your day.”
He’s not sure what’s going on, or what’s making you so upset. He just knows he wants to help you, and so he does. He tells you everything he can think of, even the most inconsequential moments. And then when he hears you start to get quieter and quieter, he doesn’t stop.
He keeps talking until you start to snore softly, and still even then until the phone beeps alerting him to its low power.
When Mom takes back her phone, asking about you, he gives quiet answers. He knows something was wrong, but he can’t tell what. He wishes he knew better, or that he could cross through the phone and give you a hug.
At least he’ll be home soon. He can give you a hug then. And everything will be ok, cause you’ll be back together.
Still, though, the fact that he’ll be home eventually with you doesn’t end up making Tenko feel any better. Eventually isn’t now, after all, and you’re sad now.
He’ll bring you a gift back home, then. Yeah! Something to show that he cares about you, and always will. That will help make you feel better, won't it?
He hopes so.