Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Izumi Midoriya  was, in what would be a shock to many, a lonely girl. Sure, she had people she was friendly with at her school, (the cycling club, for instance) but she’d never quite managed to make friends since moving to Nara she tried to ignore the phantom pains of burning and kicks. The name Kacchan turning to poison. Maybe it was her, her fascination obsession with plants and engineering turning people off. Maybe it was her single-minded drive to be a hero, coloring everything she did in a singular goal to get better, go faster, be stronger, until she could stand against everything and save people with a smile. In any case, this was how she found herself, riding home alone once more, taking a more circuitous route to enjoy the late spring afternoon. Something made her stop. Standing over her bike, she looked around for what had caught her subconscious mind’s eye. She finally spotted it... or rather, her.

A girl, maybe about her age, wearing a disheveled seifuku (from a school closer to Kanto, she thinks). Blonde hair up in a pair of messy buns. They look like spider lilies, the botany part of her mind supplies. Cute Face screwed up in an expression of fear and self loathing as she scrubbed tears and was that blood?! from it.

“A-are y’ okay?” Her feet moved on their own, carrying her towards the girl, bike abandoned on the curb. The girl starts. Amber catlike eyes wide with fear meeting her own green ones wide with concern. She’s surprised the girl hasn’t bolted. “A-ah saw y’ cryin’. Can Ah do somethin’ to help?” Her hands hold the other girl’s. who seems surprised at her boldness.

“I-I’m fine.. j-just a bad day” The girl smile, a hint of what looks like fangs before her smile narrows. Looking as plastic as Izumi’s figurines “I-I should go, I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“Wait!” Izumi is surprised by her own boldness now. “A-at least let m’ get y’ somethin’ t’ clean up with.” She drags the girl over to her bike, digging through her bag and pulling out a package of tissue. “We, my mom and Ah, tend t’ cry a lot, so Ah always have spares.” A weak, but more true, smile; progress! “M’ name’s Midoriya Izumi.”

“T-Toga Himiko, thank you Midoriya-san” A flash of… something, when she gives her family name. Grabbing the tissues and cleaning up. Izumi scrupulously ignores the red staining the tissue

“D-do y’ live far? Ah could give y’ a ride.” No she’s not deparate for a reason to keep talking to this cute blond girl.

“I-I don’t want to trouble you” Another flashes of that same something. Was that fear?

“It’s no trouble, Ah usually go for a ride after school so Ah don’ have anywhere t’ be.”

Toga Himiko notices the hint of bitterness, wondering what it is, but knows better than to ask. Good girls don’t pry. She registers what the cute girl, plant like hair looking like a softer than normal curtain of willows in variegated shades of pink, white, and green, Midoriya was saying, panic and fear flooding her system again. She can’t go back, doesn’t want to go back. Back to demon and locked doors and endless hunger hunger hungerHUNGERHUNGER. Her expression shutters, thankful that the other girl was busy with her bag and didn’t see.

“Th-thats okay Midoriya-san, you’ve already done a lot for me by stopping and checking I was okay. You don’t have to go that far for a demon me. You couldn’t ride all the way to Kyoto on my behalf. I-I’ll just catch a train in a bit.” She begs silently for her to not push the issue.

Izumi purses her lips, taking in the tenseness of the cute other girl . The way her slitted eyes have been blasted wide by barely restrained panic. And oh isn’t that a familiar feeling.

“Well, if yer sure. Would y’ like to walk with me then? That is, if y’ want? Ah know Ah’m just some Deku girl, but y’ seem nice and it’s a nice andAh’dliket’gett’knowy’bettercauseAhdon’treallyhaveanyonet’hang-” She claps her hands over her mouth, before it can betray her further, cutting off the incomprehensible stream of mumbles. Her face is bright red as she hears a familiar soft sound, followed by a surprised trill oh my gods she makes sounds like a cat, that’s adorable from her companion. Sighing she reaches up, plucking the flower from her head with a small wince. Handing it to the shocked blond. “Red lily?”

“Snrk.” A snort escapes Himiko before she can help it. The Togas’ would be mortified. She quickly regains her composure, giggling demurely behind her hand, hiding her demonic fangs, like a good girl should. She delicately takes the offered flower, tucking it into her hair, enjoying the aroma of it. Covering up the delicious smell of copper and life and ferns and steel. “Thank you, Midoriya-san, and I would lo-like to walk with you.” She already told the Togas her parents that she was staying at a “friends” house until late to work on a project. Thank goodness Miho had been willing to cover (though she could do without the knowing looks and hints at a secret love). She wishes she could just stay away for good. She’s nearly blinded by the smile suddenly beamed at her. A thousand megawatts hidden behind plump, kissable, lips.

They walk in silence for a time, shooting each other small glances when the other isn't looking. Toga is the one to break first, asking the willow haired girl some basic small talk. Hated Hospitality and decorum lessons finally having some worth. Surface level chat, the weather, idols (that one didn’t go far), favourite colour (Red and Pink for Izumi, Red, Black, Pink, and Green for Himiko), occupied their time for a while before, without realizing it, Himiko asked the question. She almost didn’t notice the variegated haired girl stop. She looked over at her confused by her friend companions stiffness.

“I’m sorry I shou-”

“D’ y’ really wan’ t’ know?” There’s a hint of fear there, of old wounds never fully healed. Voice and accent thick with it. A desperation for acceptance that Himiko knows all to well.

“Well… yeah. Why wouldn’t I?” Himiko’s confusion is audible.

“Jus’… promise not t’ laugh?” Somehow she sounded even more desperate.

“Of course! I would never laugh at you Midoriya-c-san” Good girls don’t laugh

“Ah wanna be a Hero.” There’s a wistfulness there, but below, a core of raw determination and will. A drive that sends shivers down Himiko’s spine. She wishes she had half her conviction. Maybe then she wouldn’t be trapped. Absently she realizes that she’s staring, but she can’t seem to stop. Something about this wonderful girl has captivated her utterly.

Izumi starts, blushing slightly. “A-Ah know t’s a silly dream, but Ah-”

“It’s not.” She shakes herself slightly. Tamping down on Desires to bite and cut to become this girl and release so much cute red red red red. “You… I think you’ll be a great hero.”

Izumi feels herself tearing up, it’s not the first time someone supported her dream. With the exception of her mother, though, it always felt like they were paying lip service. Better than actively stomping on it. Poisoning her dream with fire and pain. Hastily wiping her eyes with a tissue, hoping her friend she doesn’t mind her emotional nature. Like her last one.

She coughs a couple times to clear the frog in her throat.

“W-what about y’ Toga-san?” Her head tilted adorably inquisitively. Willow branch hair swaying in the gentle breeze.

Himiko, for her part, freezes. A thousand and one thoughts,  demon, worthless, only good to marry off, disgusting monster, spiraling through her head. She’s not sure how long, but finally she answers.

“Free. I want to be free.”

Chapter Text

The small, wistful declaration left them both stunned silent. Himiko was surprised at her unexpected honesty. Whenever her ‘friends’ asked she’d just giggle and answer like she was trained that she wanted to be a good wife for her future husband, sighing breathily at her imagined ‘dream girl guy’. She chose to ignore how the thought left her cold.

“Ah think tha’s a beautiful dream, Toga-san.” Izumi beamed at her through eyes shining with unshed tears, wanting nothing more than to bundle the cute, adorable, sad, like a kitten left in a cardboard box, girl into her arms and never let go. She wasn’t sure what was making her new friend acquaintance so sad, (she also was somewhat alarmed that a teenage girl desired freedom above all else; was she not safe at home?) but she knew that, whatever it was, she wanted to help her.

A pink blush coloured Himiko’s pale, anemic, bags under her eyes from sleepless nights and the pounding of blood blood BLOOD BLOOD face. Panic at being a demon set aside, she looked at the beautiful, lithe tall girl in wonder. “R-really?”

“O’ course it is! Part of why Ah wanna be able t’ save everyone is so tha’ they’re free t’ be themselves an’ happy. Ah think there’d be a lot less villains if’n people jus’ tried t’ understan’ each otha. Let people be themselves rather’n shove em inteh boxes, y’know?” She flashed a shaky smile at the other girl, worried that she came across too strong.

Himiko was floored. All her life she’d heard nothing but that she should be normal not demonic, monstrous, villainous never being accepted for who she really is. Yet this random cute stranger had managed to crack her mask, and said that what was underneath was beautiful.

She quickly had to avert her face. She was blinded by that smile and trying desperately not to burst into tears. Good girls don’t cry, besides, she’d hate you if she knew the whole truth. Luckily she seemed to be preoccupied with drying her own tears, so the blonde had a minute to gather her composure.

Of course Izumi had noticed the effect her words had on the other girl, how could she not? However, she felt it best not to call attention to her friends distress. Eventually turning back to each other, both now more composed. C racked masks hiding the loneliness within, c rying out to each other to save them. They stood in slightly awkward silence. Neither really sure how to continue after baring a piece of their souls.

A distant chime broke the calm, signaling the hour. Struck by an idea Izumi stepped over her bike. “Hop on.”

“W-what?” Himiko panicked, scared for a moment that she was being taken back to them the Togas.

“Hop on, Ah wanna show y’ somethin’.” Smiling softly, Izumi held out her hand to the gorgeous blond. Wanting to ensure that, at least for today, she got to know freedom.

Her hand trembling, want and fear warring within her, Himiko grabbed the hand, idly noticing the soft pads like a cats on her fingers sitting sidesaddle on the rear fender. She squeaked as Izumi had her hold on to the much stronger girl, oh gods were those abs?! not noticing how said young woman’s face was bright red. The delicious smell of ferns and steel filling her lungs. Powerful legs pushing them off and onward, till the houses and buildings just flew by.

Whilst Himiko had been to Nara a couple times, easy to get to when the cravings got to be too strong, far enough from Kyoto for the Togas to not catch her drinking from whatever animal she managed to catch, sobbing as the delicious relief warred with knowing that it made her a monster. she had never really explored, just arriving, hunting, and leaving. So she made sure to enjoy it, taking in sights like the famous Ukimido pavilion as they passed.

Eventually they slowed, hopping off the bike and locking it up, Izumi grabbing her bag, and Himiko’s hand and marching determinedly to a nearby vending machine. Himiko stayed silent feeling very confused, watching as the other girl bought a package of what looked like large crackers, before leading her towards a nearby grassy area.

Himiko gasped, free hand coming up to cover her mouth. Finally catching on as she spied what was waiting in the park. She absently took a cracker from the softly smiling Izumi, walking slowly as if mesmerized as one of the famous Nara deer approached, bowing politely before accepting a piece of the cracker. “This is one of the cutest things ever.” Her voice barely a whisper as she continued to feed them.

The girls spent a happy half hour or so feeding the deer in the park, giggling and cooing at the more pushy ones, and found themselves growing more and more comfortable with each other’s presence as they did. As they ran out of crackers, Izumi guided them back to her bike. They mounted up once more, and if Himiko held on a little tighter, well, no one had to know.

Taking off once more, Izumi led them higher up the mountain, eventually transitioning to hiking. Neither one caring that their shoes weren’t really made for it. Izumi delighting in sharing facts about the various flora around them, passion filling her voice, even if she descended into unintelligible mumble half the time.

For her part, whilst Himiko didn’t understand about one word in ten, she loved listening to the plant haired girl, enjoying the unmasked pleasure on her face and the way her eyes would light up as she pointed out a particularly ancient tree in this primeval forest. Could she do the same one day?

The trees lit up in gold as the hour approached. They eventually stopped at an overlook near one of the shrines. They watched as the world was slowly painted in shades of orange, the cloudy sky a symphony of light and shadow. Silently enjoying the other’s company, and leaning against each other unconsciously as they soaked up the attention that had been missing their whole lives.

Eventually Izumi broke the silence, “Hey Toga-san? Have y’ evah thought abou’ bein a hero?”

Jerking slightly in surprise Himiko turned to the cute plant girl, though Izumi herself was still studiously watching the sunset.

“Ah, jus thought… might be a good way t’ make yer dream come true is all. Not jus fer y’, but for everyone else too.”

Himiko didn’t answer yet, not that Izumi expected her to. For her part, Himiko’s mind was awhirl with the possibilities. A hero, both to herself and others. One to inspire and protect those like her. Demons, monsters, and freaks, the mental Togas supplied in weakened voice.

It felt like where before all that was in front of her was naught but shadows of madness and hunger, a path had appeared. Moonlit and tremulous, but she saw a way out, and at the end, for just a moment, she saw a vision of herself. Strong backed, with Izumi beside her and others in the shadows. That moment was enough however, and Himiko knew she needed to make it a reality.

Eventually they had to leave, quietly making their way back. Both dreading their parting, though for different reasons. If Himiko squeezed Izumi a bit tighter, and if Izumi rode a little slower on the way to the station, neither was going to mention it.

Now that they were here, standing in front of the station. Neither was in any real rush to go, though they both knew they were pushing curfew as it was.

“Here-”

“Could ah ge-”

Both girls blinked as they turned and spoke simultaneously. Holding out their phones to the other. They stared in surprise, before erupting into helpless giggles. Hiding the tears they both wanted to shed. Still giggling they exchanged numbers, promising to write. Turning to walk into the station, Himiko trilled in surprise as she was suddenly gathered into Izumi’s arms. Both practically melting into the embrace, before, face flushing furiously, Izumi turned to ride off. A small “Ah’ll miss y’” left behind.

Himiko sighed, her small smile fading as she walked into the station, and back to her personal hell.

Izumi slowly made her way back home. Texting her mom that she was on her way and wincing at the amount of unread messages and phone calls. While she had let her mom know that she was going to be late, she didn’t really let her know how late. House lined streets eventually gave way to wooded lanes, h er light cutting through the twilight. It’s beam eventually fell on a smallish house in the western style, though the large greenhouse and massive maple tree growing behind it were a little unusual. The tree itself dwarfed the others in the area, its branches spread far so that in sunlight the house would almost always be in dappled shade. The trunk was so thick and strong, you would think it was centuries old, and not the 5 years it actually was.

This was one of the longest running quirk experiments controlling the trees growth to be rapid, but not fast enough that the tree consumed itself like some other experiments she did. She shudders, recalling the letter she got thanking her for her contribution to the study of cancers in trees.

As she got closer the leaves began rustling in a non existent breeze as a slight groaning could be heard. Izumi couldn’t help but smile at the reaction of the plants to her. Her quirk reaching out as she mentally cataloged the health and status of all her experiments, though she would of course go over them more thoroughly later. Letting herself in after locking up, she winced at the sight that awaited her

Midoriya Inko was not a physically imposing woman. Small of build and stature, her daughter stood at least a foot taller, her physically active lifestyle encouraging her growth in other areas as well, resulting in a fuller figure than her mother. Though the move had been healthy for Inko as well. The myriad hikes and adventures she went on in the woods as her daughter grew leaving her in rather good shape for someone who wasn’t trying to be a hero.

“I thought you were going to be home an hour ago!” Izumi winced again, that tone of voice was a sign of nothing good, reserved for times like when she went hiking up the mountain alone, or blew up the part of the backyard trying to make an organic capacitor. (She was so close, she knew it)

“Ah was, but- OW” She cut herself off with a yelp of pain, her ear feeling like it was being tugged and even though Inko stood some distance away her hand was up as if she was the one grabbing it.

“Buuut?” More warning bells, she’d have to be delicate.

“Ah think Ah made a friend?” Immediately the tugging sensation was gone, replaced by Inko as she threw herself at her daughter, hugging the willow girl tightly. Tears of joy practically soaking them both.

“Oh that’s wonderful to hear! I’m so happy for you. You go get cleaned up and I’ll finish making dinner. Oh I wish you had told me sooner, I would have made Katsudon. We’re having Nasu Dengaku and Miso tonight. You can tell me all about them while we’re eating.”

Izumi stared after her, bemused by the change in tone, before making her way upstairs.

Her room was an interesting exercise in contrasts. Towards one side, the bed and myriad plushies were all fairly ordinary. As you turned to the rest of the room however, things got strange. First was the vast array of hero merchandise, All Might being the most prominently featured. Though others were present, most recently, judging by its position near the front, was Kamui Woods. He and other plant based heroes almost equaled All Might in her collection, if not quite in her esteem. Moving closer to the window in her room, a currently open curtain divided it not quite in half. Beyond said curtain was what looked like the unholy combination of machine shop and greenhouse, dozens of plants on benches interspersed with measuring equipment and tools. At one, (which she quickly rushed to turn off, blushing at the fire risk) what looked like a Jacob's ladder made of oddly shiny thin branches flashed.

Smiling, reminiscing on her first few tests of this aspect of her quirk, she took a cursory look at her various tests and prototypes to ensure nothing was going to blow up or catch fire she turned to her main desk. Depositing her bag she quickly doffed her uniform, changing into a brown maxi skirt with mushrooms and fairies around the bottom and a t shirt emblazoned with “dinner jacket”, and checking her phone to see if Toga-san had messaged her.

Dinner was a mostly normal affair, if you could call the constant teasing from her mother about her obvious crush new friend normal. She endured as best she could, but was quickly reduced to a flushing mess. Finishing her eggplant as fast as she could she practically sprinted to the back door, her mother’s laughter chasing her the whole way.

Leaning against the firmly shut greenhouse door she sighed in relief happy to escape her mother’s teasing. Even if she had a crush on Himiko, she barely knew her. Making the rounds checking on the various stages of growth she hummed quietly to herself.

“Looks lahk test five of mah pitcher plant Leyden Jars is progressin’ nicely, soon be ready t’ test their capacitance.” She pointedly ignored the scorch marks and replaced glass. “Current levels estimated at 1.17 nF” She makes some notes on her clipboard, before stretching out her hand. Green light emerged from the soft pads on her fingertips, enveloping and accelerating the growth of the plant slightly. The light fading as she sighed in exertion. “Need more sunny days to recharge…”

“Looks like th’ hydraulic vines are doin’ well, pressure vessels r’ holdin’ strong with no leaks yet. Carbon fibre tree test is continuin’ apace, as is non-Newtonion sap. Hopef’ly it will synergize well with th’ ‘Iron’ wood.” She mumbled to herself as she worked, making her way around the whole greenhouse. More vines, this time hooked up to a multimeter and a thermometer. A tree with hollow branches with a spiral groove. Berries filled with something incredibly sticky.

Eventually she finished making her way around, locking up and walking back to the house with a yawn she started prepping for bed. Laying down for the night, she was startled by the sound of a notification, and hastily grabbed her phone.

Toga-san: I’ll do it, I want to be a hero.

Izumi: I’ll be there with you. Every step of the way.

Izumi smiled, happy that her friend had been so affected by what she suggested. She idly noticed reports of a disastrous villain attack in Ise that evening that had been stopped by All Might. Making a mental note to research it and see what she could learn, she locked her phone and turned over to sleep. Knowing that she would do her best to make them both ready.

Thirty miles away, in Kyoto, Himiko matched her, smiling fully in her bed, unafraid of the Togas seeing for the first time in 10 years. Not that they ever entered her prison room. Ignoring the constant hunger for blood, she turned as well, eyes falling on the calendar on her wall, a date 10 months from now marked out. She was ready to take the first step towards a real future.

On the other side of Kansai, near Ise, a round cheeked brunette slept fitfully. The distant sound of sirens reminding her of a responsibility she wasn’t sure she was ready for., but determined to meet it head on and grasp the opportunity with both hands.

A single thought shared between them.

“I will be a hero.”

The next ten months passed in a blur. Izumi’s training didn’t vary that much, but she had a new drive to it. Spurred on by the new friend she had made she dove into it head first, strengthening her body and mind with a new found zeal.

Himiko meanwhile, had to be a bit more stealthy. Taking extra dance classes and a culinary workshop, staying beneath the Toga’s radar. Letting them think they had finally tamed the bloody feline. They easily accepted her reasoning for going to UA; after all it was the best in the country, not just for Heroics but in general. Besides, she may luck out and catch the next Number One Hero’s eye, and wouldn’t that be a boon to their standing in society.

In secret however, Himiko was practicing other applications. Ballet and cooking becoming refined into acrobatics and knifeplay. Running for fitness becoming parkour for mobility. Sneaking around the Togas becoming fading into the universe, becoming nearly invisible as she went.

This increase in physical activity was not without its drawbacks, as the hunger became worse and harder to ignore. Long evenings in bloody alleyways, struggling with guilt and satisfaction as she hunted vermin and strays. The relief when she finally breaks down to Izumi about her cravings and is accepted immediately. She wishes she could meet up with Izumi in person, but knew she needed to stay above repute.

Ten months becomes eight becomes five becomes one. Until finally two weeks remained before the exam.

Himiko wandered around school in a fugue like state. The cravings had been particularly bad lately. Unable to hunt for a month due to both the Togas and rain, her efforts towards training increasing as the date approached. She barely heard what her friends were talking about, and they weren’t sure what to make of her new drive anyway. A crash was heard in the hallway ahead of them, followed by a yelp of pain. She stared, entranced, all sounds fading into the background as she slowly made her way forward. A pounding in her ears as she watched Saito-kun keep pressure on the deep cut on his arm, the broken glass of an aquarium strewn across the ground. She grabbed her head, eyes narrowed into catlike slits. The pounding getting louder and louder. A hand touched her shoulder.

A feline yowl rent the air as she dove forward, tackling the bleeding boy to the ground. Mouth wide as she prepared to sink her fangs into his arm and drink all the delicious, mouthwatering, blood that she could. Fangs hovering over the wound, a face flashed into her mind. Green soulful eyes, a beaming smile, and hair that changed with the seasons. She reeled back, panting heavily as she looked around. Worry and concern Fear and disgust all she could see. Trembling, she stood, staggering backwards, before, with a rushed apology, she fled.

She blinks, and she’s running to her prison home.

She blinks, she’s on the train, bag for UA and running away beside her.

She blinks, leaving the station, its pouring rain.

She blinks, shivering, wandering Nara, looking for something similar to the photo’s Izumi showed, how long ago was that?

She blinks, and she’s in a semi familiar neighborhood.

Mindlessly putting one foot in front of the other, every step an effort. Shivering increasing in her absolute soaked seifuku. She had to get there, had to get away. An approaching car made her duck behind a tree. Mustn’t get seen, mustn’t get caught. Can’t be sent back. Have to get to safety, back to ferns and steel.

One more step, she sees lights. Another, that old well. Another, and then the ground. The shivering has stopped, she was so tired. The house, warmth and safety just out of reach. Were the lights getting dimmer? There’s something moving, she catches a whiff of ferns. Her hand stretches out as it fades in and out of sight.

She tries to speak, nothing more than a piteous moan.

She, had to make it, she… just needed to rest her eyes, that was all.

Her hand falls with her vision.

“MOM COME QUICK ITS TOGA-CHAN!”

Chapter Text

Uraraka Ochako was fairly certain that today had started as a normal day. Get up, take anticistamines, shower, brush teeth, skip breakfast, get dressed in the outfit she laid out the night before (a cute star tarot hoodie, skater skirt with poison apples, leggings and Mary Janes.), put on the barest hint of makeup have to make it last, then join her parents for their trip to Ise.

It was a sizable walk no point wasting gas if they didn’t need to into Ise proper from where they lived, but she enjoyed it none the less, chatting happily with her parents, talking about everything and nothing. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, her stomach was only aching with hunger a little bit, and her parents were hopefully going to be getting a new contract.

Ise was fairly normal as well. Her parents were busy meeting the potential client so she was left to her own devices. Idly window shopping on the Oharaimachi, well aware of the small amount of coins in her purse, (not that that stopped her from buying some discounted mochi, a girl has needs) happily munching keeping the hunger pains at bay as she made her way towards the inner shrine.

She heard yelling down the road, an odd whistling sound.

Loud cracks and bangs, like the worlds largest fireworks followed by thunder, rattling her chest.

Then the screaming started.

She runs, ducking down a convenient alley. Panting, as she tries to catch her breath.

She runs, the screaming and devastation. It was like something out of a nightmare. Buildings burning and heroes trying desperately to help. would that be her in 4 years?

She runs, away from the fight, towards safety in the woods. Heart pounding in her chest. that didn’t feel like fear making it beat

She runs, the fight gets louder. A sudden explosion pounding into her ears, almost drowning the small cry of pain behind her.

She turns, a girl with pink dreadlocks has fallen in the road.

She watches, almost in slow motion, as a section of road wadded into a colossal ball arcs through the air towards the girl. Her amber eyes were wide with fear, hand held out towards Ochako.

And Ochako? Her feet move on their own.

Her eyes never leave the falling mass of asphalt as she runs.

Faster, her purse dropped behind her, forgotten in the street.

Faster, Mary Janes flying off with broken straps.

Faster, leggings tearing as she digs against the pavement.

Faster towards the fallen figure, moving like she’d never moved before. Leaping desperately over her, arm outstretched, a flash of pink blinding everyone.

When the light clears, there she stands. Feet bleeding, down on one knee, arms wide and holding the balled up rubble on her shoulders like Atlas made flesh. A tremulous smile on her face. Panting as she holds the chunk of asphalt clear of the fallen girl.

“Are-are yeh okay!?” There might have been some desperation in her question, fear that she had been too late, despite everything.

Her stomach roils as she vastly exceeds her limit, andshe gently sets the rubble down to the side and releases her quirk. She stands fully as the girl turns and shakily nods, eyes wide in shocked amazement.

Only then does she collapse to all fours as she vomits profusely. The other girl appears to have passed out from shock.

It’s only after she cleared her stomach, dry heaving as she wiped her mouth, that she notices the silence. She looks up, straight at a pair of bright yellow boots, followed by a red white and blue outfit stretched over hard muscles, until finally she’s looking into the face of the worlds greatest hero.

“Young lady.” He was rather loud and boisterous.

With a choked off scream she scrambled onto her feet… before falling on her rear with a cry, her own mangled feet screaming now that she isn’t moving.

Fighting back tears of pain, she stuttered out a reply. “A-all Might, w-when did yeh, w-where did yeh- ?!”

“AHAHAHAHA, Well of course they would call me to defend our fine country’s most sacred shrine! Why, I arrived mere moments before your daring rescue!” If anything his grin gets even wider as he flashes her a thumbs up.

“Ah-ah’m sorreh All Might. Ah know Ah’m not suppos t’ use mah quirk in public an all. ah jus- She was going t’- She was in danger, and afore ah knew it mah feet...” The tears aren’t just because of the pain now. She knows the law, knows she probably threw away her future career. Still, she couldn’t say she regretted it. Being labeled a vigilante was worth it for the life she saved.

“Your feet moved on their own, right? Not to worry, I’ll speak to the police on your behalf!”

Ochako boggled, was the number one hero really putting his neck out for her?

The tears flowed fast and heavy now, the whiplash of emotions and adrenaline wringing them out of her.

“However, before that, what’s your name, young lady? And the name of your friend? We need to get you two looked at, and contact your parents.”

“W-well, Ah’m Uraraka Ochako but ah dun know her name Ah’m afraid.”

“Hmmm, I see. No matter, we’ll just have to ask when she wakes. Now then, lets get you both to the paramedics.”

Ochako didn’t even have time to squeak before she found herself swept off. Eyes practically spinning as she was deposited with the paramedics. To her shock he even managed to grab her bag.

The hospital was filled to bursting. So full, in fact, she had to have her feet bandaged up in the hallway. Wishing she had managed to get the name of the pinkette before she was whisked to the hospital, she fiddled with the card in her purse.

Lost in thought, she absently began chewing on her dark painted lips, which she nearly bit off as she was pulled into an unexpected hug.

“We were so worried! When we heard yeh was involved in a villain attack we thought the worst!” Her dad, tall, broad, and musclebound, was blubbering, tears in his eyes as her tried his best to smother her with love. Another pair of arms encircled her as her mom, short as her dad was tall, a little worn down, but strong in her own way, joined the hug.

Ochako’s heart melted, smiling through her own tears as she returned the hugs.

The initial meeting with the police had gone well. She and her parents were put up in a hotel nearby for a more formal meeting tomorrow where she would give her full statement. Her parents had long since gone to sleep, the events from the day wearing them out. Ochako, however, lay awake, unable to get her mind to rest. The whispered interaction with All Might after he took her to the paramedics weighed on her mind. Why would he want her to call? What couldn’t he tell her before he swept away to help with recovery efforts? With a sigh, she grabbed her phone before stepping into the bathroom and placing the call.

“Good evening, Might Tower, this is Yagi speaking. May I ask who’s calling?” The voice sounded tired, and familiar.

“Oh, ah was expectin… nevah mind. Mah name is Uraraka Ochako, um, All Might gave meh this numbah.. Tol me t’ call? W-would yeh mind lettin him know?” She was feeling more nervous by the minute.

“Ah, Uraraka-shoujo, All Might was telling me about you. I’m his secretary, Toshinori Yagi. He’d like me to meet with you to discuss both your future career as well as make you an offer. If you’d be amenable to this do you think you and your parents could meet with me at the Inner Shrine tomorrow around 8?”

“Well ah’d have t’ ask mah parents, but ah don think that they’d be apposed. Ah need t’ meet with the police again anyway and they had some business in town still.” She had to be dreaming.

“Splendid! I’ll see you there. You have a good night, Uraraka-shoujo/”

“Thank yeh, yeh have a good night as well Yagi-san.”

She stared at her phone. An offer for her from the Number One Hero. She could hardly believe it. What on earth would he want with a plain jane wannabe hero like her? It was no use dwelling on it however. With such a busy day tomorrow she needed her sleep more than ever.

Her parents were shocked and wary about the call to All Might’s secretary. Worried that their little girl had been the victim of some cruel prank. Still, they agreed to the meeting as their own was near the Shrine as well. Now they watched, amused, as Ochako paced before the gate to the shrine, hands twisting in her skirt. Ochako herself wishing that she had had a change of clothes with her, as she anxiously scanned around for any sign of All Might (or his mysterious secretary, though she wasn’t sure what he looked like), as people down the road sifted through the debris of the ruined district. Just when she was sure that this had all been a massive prank, a familiar voice spoke up behind her.

“Uraraka-shoujo?”

She jumped, barely stifling a shriek of surprise, parents stifling laughs as she whirled to face the voice. Only to jump again at the sight of the skeletal figure standing near her.

“Y-Yagi-san?” Surely this wasn’t All Might’s secretary?

“That’s correct, I apologize for scaring you. These must be your parents, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

After her parents exchanged their own greetings, the impromptu meeting proceeded as predicted. Her parents asked for some proof of his claim, which he provided though they weren’t really capable of vetting it beyond a cursory examination. Pleasantries were exchanged, before finally her dad got to the meat and potatoes.

“Now then sir, what’s this abou’ an offer for mah little girl from th’ number one hero?”

Yagi smiled, though it was a little unsettling on his skull like face. “Before I answer, I would like to ask her something first. Do you want to be a hero Uraraka-shoujo?”

An emphatic nod, gravity defying hair swinging rapidly. “Ah do, Yagi-san. Ah plan to apply t’ a few schools but ah hope to go t’ UA next year.”

His unsettling, though strangely reassuring grin seemed to broaden at that. “Then allow me to make you this offer. All Might was so impressed with your heroic acts yesterday that he would like to offer the opportunity to be trained by myself. I may not look it now, but I was quite the formidable hero back in the day. If you agree we would provide a training plan as well as All Might assisting with more specialized training on occasion. This would last the 12 months between now and the entrance examination.”

Despite Yagi’s genuine enthusiasm, her father looked troubled. “Ah’m not sure we coul’ affor’ that Yagi-san”

Yagi let out a laugh, accompanied by a rather alarming amount of blood. Though he brushed off their concerns citing it as a side affect of an old injury. “Uraraka-san we would never dream of asking you to pay. No this would be a reward for her brave acts yesterday.”

Now it was Ochako’s turn to look troubled. “Ah-ah appreciate it Yagi-san, bu’ there’s no guarantee that ah’ll get in, and ah’d hate to disappoint yeh like that”

“Uraraka-shoujo, fail or succeed, we would never be disappointed in you if you tried your best. Besides, I highly doubt you’ll fail. Did you know, Uraraka-shoujo, that there are stories about every hero? About how they became great? Most of these stories have one thing in common; that their bodies moved before they had a chance to think, almost acting on their own. Your actions yesterday were the same.”

Ochako’s eyes widened, almost unable to believe what she was hearing. how could someone with such a selfish reason be a great hero? Her mind jumping from conclusion to conclusion till there was only one real answer she could give.

“Ah accept.”

It took a while but they finally finished hashing out details with Yagi, with him recommending that she start waking up early and going for a quick half hour run. He would then meet her at the shrine, where they would begin her physical training. He would have a more detailed plan ready for her to take to her parents by then.

After they parted ways the rest of the day was a blur to Ochako. First, the meeting with the police, which went over fine, if a bit long due to having to be a detailed as possible for the official report. Then the meeting at City Hall for her parents, which she did not attend but they seemed incredibly pleased at the conclusion.

She was surprised when the took her out to a congratulatory dinner at one of the nicer budget restaurants in the area, where they explained that in addition to this being a celebration of her heroism, they were also celebrating their bid for not only their initial construction contract, but for being on the shortlist of companies for the rebuilding of the destroyed historic district.

Feeling overwhelmed by the events of the day, it was a relief to finally get home and clean off two days and a villain attacks worth of grime, before flopping into bed, remembering to change her alarm at the last minute.

At first she had trouble adjusting to the new schedule. Not being a morning person in the first place, waking up at five, throwing on her pink and black joggers and a tank top, and walking out the door was with the march of the condemned. Her first few attempts at running were... not great, leaving her a panting heaving wreck just a few doors down from her house.

As she went though, she found herself slowly improving, day after day going further in the same time.

The rest of her workout plan was a surprise to her, starting with the name.

“The Aim to Succeed American Dream Plan? Are… are ye’ serious honey?!” Her dad was incredulous to say the least.

“Ah think Yagi-sensei is really intah American culture is all, it’s kinda cute, really. He seems all serious but is really a big goof when yah really talk t’ him y’know?”

Later that night she carefully stored away the torn out meal plan portion of the plan in her desk.

The other surprising thing was the weight lifting portion of the plan, helping with clearing out the debris of the attack. After Yagi sheepishly provided gloves when she made the first piece of rubble weightless, he explained his reasoning that all the different size and shapes would work out different muscle groups for an even gain, which was a good practical reason, but his second reason really had an effect on her.

“Heroes these days are all about showing off and capturing flashy villains. Before quirks, a hero was someone who helped the community. Picking up garbage, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or even just helping someone when they were having a bad day. I feel today’s heroes could stand to remember and emulate that.”

She couldn’t help but feel a little guilty at that, remembering that her reasons for being a hero were selfish. completely ignoring that she had never once thought about the money for herself, but instead all on her parents behalf. Silently vowing to herself to live up to that ideal, and reaffirming her decision not to be a burden on her parents. ignoring the way her stomach crawled with hunger all the time, as well as the faint feeling that crept up whenever she worked particularly hard.

No matter how you try though, things have a way of catching up to you. One and a half months into her training, as she ran carrying a piece of rubble to help with endurance, it all came to a head. The first thing she noticed was the faint feeling coming back, which she determinedly ignored, until her vision started to fade and her knees buckled. The rubble falling with her as she collapsed to the ground. Yagi helped her sit up, gently holding her whilst slowly giving her water and granola. “Uraraka-shoujo, have you been overworking yourself? Did I make a mistake with your plan?” The concern in his voice was the last straw, as she threw her arms around him and burst into tears. “Ah-ah’m sorreh Yagi-sensei. Ah know yah made the meal plan specifically for mah trainin and t’ avoid any food tha’ raises testosterone. B-but ah jus' couldn’ burden mah parents even more. Th-their business hasn’t been doin' too well, this was th’ first contract in months, even. So they barely break even. Ah jus wanna make it easier fer em, yah know?” She's full on sobbing now, barely able to get the words out. “Ah even offered t’ help them with mah quirk yah know? Get rid o’ the spensive equipment. Bu-bu’ daddy jus tol' me t’ follow mah own dreams. S-so ah swore t’ become a good hero an make a lot of money t’ support them and give them an easier life!” Furiously wiping her eyes, she turns from the hero so she doesn’t have to see the disappointment as she confessed the whole truth. “Ah’m sorreh ah have such a selfish reason for wantin' t’ be a hero. Ah-ah’d understand if yah don' wanna teach me no more.” She trails off, already prepared to walk away as he declared her a failure. She was very surprised when instead, a gentle hand started rubbing her back.

“Uraraka-shoujo, please look at me.” As she turned to face him fully, the sheer compassion on his face and in his voice almost set her off again as she hiccuped softly.

“Uraraka-shoujo, why did you decide on heroics to help your parents? There are many other, safer, professions that pay just as well, and yet you decided on being a hero?”

A little taken aback by not being immediately dismissed, she hesitantly answered. “W-well, ah always admired them as a kid. Especially rescue heroes like 13, an’ the way they would make people feel safe and able to smile. Ah-ah guess ah jus’ wanted to be able to do that fer people.”

“You see, Uraraka-shoujo, while you may have a practical reason for being a hero, at the core of it is a desire to help. To make things better. Why else would you have such a drive and selfless desire to help your family, even at the cost of your own body? Don’t worry now, I’ll ensure you andyour family get enough food for you to fully follow the plan.”

Her hands waved in front of her. “I-it’s no problem really, Ah-ah promise ah’ll start eatin proper, Ah-ah’ll even take a part time job so mah parents don' have to pay extra.” She was cut off by a massive hand cutting though the air in front of her.

“Nonsense! You are my student, and as your teacher it is my responsibility to help you, guide you, and ensure that you’re training at your best. It is after all my training plan you’re following, so I insist on helping you follow it by paying for your meal plan.” And despite her further objections, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was a little unnerving. she’d never had a teacher care as much as him, and teachers in the past had definitely known she was skipping meals. she had never experienced this kindness outside of her own parents before

Emboldened by their talk and with plenty of food in her belly for once, Ochako dove into the training with a new fervor, determined to not let his kindness go to waste. Which almost had a similar effect when she nearly overworked herself trying to go above and beyond.

Things had improved for her parents as well. With most of the debris removed, they had won the contract to begin reconstruction. (when she subtly questioned Yagi about it, he assured her that they had won it of their own merit.)

As the second month came to a close she noticed that her teacher seemed to be struggling with something internally. Eventually it all seemed to resolve itself as he pulled her aside off the wood lined park she had been doing pull ups in.

She was initially worried that she had done something wrong, a worry not helped by him vaguely stating how honoured he was to have been training her. That worry was soon forgotten however when the man seemed to inflate in front of her, and instead of Yagi-sensei, her goofy teacher who occasionally coughed blood, there stood All Might, number one hero. She nearly screamed had she not covered her mouth in time, though this would have resulted in her floating off were it not for All Mights massive hand on her shoulder.

“I understand this is a shock, Uraraka- shoujo, but let me assure you that I am All Might. I apologize for the deception, but it was for the best that I not be associated with you in this form. For fear of compromising your safety and privacy. Now however, things have changed and I have an additional offer for you.” At this he seemed to deflate in a massive plume of steam. Ochako’s eyes, already wide with surprise, seemed to grow even larger in shock and horror as Yagi, no, All Might, raised his shirt, revealing a gruesome scar.

“Five years ago, I was in a fight with a powerful villain, a fight that was kept out of the media at my request. I was able to defeat them, but not before they did this to me. I lost most of a lung and my digestive system that day. Since then, multiple surgeries (and a refusal to rest and recover said a part of his mind that sounded like Nana) have resulted in my time as All Might dwindling to the point where I’m only able to work as a hero for about 3 hours a day. I had almost given up hope. But then... I saw you, I saw that rock headed for that girl, and knew I would be too late to save her. You, with no regard for your body or safety, ran in to help. You reminded me why I had become a hero in the first place, and for that, I thank you. That was enough that I decided to help you in return, by training you to be the best hero you could be. I was on a long hunt for a successor and having gotten to know you better over these past two months, I have decided that you deserve more than that however. Uraraka-shoujo, I would be honoured if you would accept my Quirk.”

This time she really did scream in shock. Or at least tried to, it came out more like a choked off squeak. Inherit his quirk? What on earth was he talking about.

“In-inherit?! Is-is that possible?! Ah’ve never heard of such a thang?!”

Yagi for his part let out a boisterous laugh. “Of course it is. You see, whenever someone asks me about my quirk I always dodge the question, ensuring that the Symbol of Peace appears as a natural hero, but there’s nothing natural about my abilities. I wasn’t born with this power. It’s a sacred torch that was passed to me by my master. Now it’s my turn to pass it on to you if you accept, the power of One for All.”

“One- One for All? Ah’m still having trouble wrappin’ mah head aroun’ th’ whole, inherit thing. Tha’ jus’ seems crazy!”

“Well you’ll need to adjust to new information quicker than that if you want to make it as a pro.” Yagi’s tone switched from serious to joking to back again. “Yes, One for All. One person improves the power, then hands it off to another person. Continuing to grow as it's passed along. This cultivated power is what allows me to save those who are in need of a hero, and the ultimate truth behind my strength. And now I’m passing it to you, if you accept.”

Ochako’s mind was awhirl with all the new info. A secret quirk, passed down from person to person, gaining strength all the while, and All Might wanted to pass it to her?

“Ah-ah yeh sure I’m the best choice?”

Yagi’s response was to gently poke her in the forehead, before ruffling her hair, eliciting a pout. “Maybe, maybe not, but you’re certainly the most deserving and more importantly you’re my choice.”

Ochako blushed, feeling herself tear up slightly at the confidence he had in her. Really there was only one answer.

“Ah accept!”

After that, her training intensified. She was a little put out that he explained that she needed to get even stronger than planned, in order to handle the sheer power of the quirk.

“Maybeh ‘splain the splodin’ arms thing b’fore ah accept next time!” Not that she really regretted it but the point must stand!

Diving into the enhanced training with gusto as she was determined to be a worthy successor. t hankfully he had put her worries to rest about the training interfering with her h ormone t herap y a while ago, and reassured her that the increase in intensity wouldn’t affect that

As the months progressed, they grew closer, Yagi-sensei becoming Yagi-shishou. Month bleeding into month, the rubble eventually being cleared and her training becoming more like something out of Star Wars. Running through the woods with Yagi on her back like a massive blond Yoda. Yoga to help with flexibility and balance. Asking about his teacher and the tears that resulted as he shared the one photo he had. Strength training with rocks and logs. Wooden obstacle courses and more. Her frame becoming beefier, though she never quite managed to lose that last layer of fat. a pparently nearly starving herself all the time had something to do with it

Until, finally, on the morning of the exam, it was time. Meeting at the mostly deserted train station before they left for Mustafu she stood, facing her master.

“Yagi-shishou… ah wonder if ah deserve this. Yeh spent so much time an effort helpin’ meh an Ah’m just some kid who got lucky.” She could feel the tears prickling at the corners of her eyes as she smiled up at him as he inflated into All Might. s he never did manage to conflate them as the same person, Yagi-shishou just seemed so different from All Might even after she knew they were the same person.

“Are you really worried about that after all this time? You put in the hard work to deserve this, luck had nothing to do with it. Now, it’s time for your reward, Uraraka-shoujo. Nana-shishou told me this, once. There's a difference between being lucky and deserving. One's an accident, the other a reward. Never get the two confused. Take that to heart, young lady. You’ve earned this gift through your own efforts and heroism.”

Ochako was fully crying now, smiling broadly, unable to stop or even care to stop as he reached up and plucked one golden hair.

“Eat this!”

Hours later, Ochako was still shooting disgusted looks across the train at Yagi as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

“I did explain that to inherit my power, you've got to swallow some of my DNA, that was just the least gross way.”

“Don’ care, that was still one o’ the most disgusting moments of mah life.”

“I said I was sorry.”

She just pouted as they pulled into the station. Later, as she stood in front of the gates of UA, attempting to calm herself, watching all the other applicants, did that girl next to the blond with cute buns have willow branches for hair? that’s so pretty. she almost imagined she could feel a familiar comforting hand on her shoulder as she recalled what he said at the station before they parted ways.

“Uraraka-shoujo, I know you haven’t had much time to get used to One for All. I just want you to know... that I think you’ll do wonderfully. Knock ‘em dead, kid.”

She took a deep breath, slapped her cheeks, and stepped towards her future.

Chapter Text

When Himiko next awoke it was to an empty room. Panic took hold briefly until the sounds of someone singing softly and the running of a shower met her sensitive ears. The events of the previous... day? week? it’s hard to tell time when nothing feels real, time passing in flashes came back to her. She’d attacked Saito-kun, she’d tackled him and nearly bit him like the monster she was. Her legs drew up to her chest as tears flooded her eyes. her parents were right about her, demon, monster, villain, f r e a k. She buried her face in her knees, not registering the sound of water turning off as she cried softly. The sound of the door opening, her head whipped towards it, naked fear on her face as she prepared to face… who, the Togas? The police? maybe they called a Hero for a villain like her. What she got instead was petrichor accompanied by the smell of ferns and steel that had haunted her dreams for months as Izumi stepped through the door, willow hair dripping with water, wearing a fluffy bathrobe. She stopped and stared at Himiko. Neither said anything… before Izumi burst into the most tears Himiko had ever seen in her life and rushed to the bed mildly terrifying Himiko in the process.

“Ah-ah though’ y’ were deahehehehehd” If anything Izumi’s sobbing intensified, “an then, an then, y’ wouln't' wake uhuhup, ah was s-sohohoho worried Himiko.”

Himiko sat stunned, before her own tears returned as she hugged the hiccuping plant girl back.

“I-I was so worried you’d hate me. I attacked someone Izuchan… I wanted to bite him and drink his blood so badly. I… my parents are right… I am a mon-”

“NO” Izumi cut her off, nearly shouting. “Y’re not a monster, if anyone’s a monster it’s them. Y’ member what ah told y’, when y’ finally confessed what y’d been doing when we met?”

“Yes, but-”

“No buts, let me tell you again missy, yer quirk don make you a monster anymore than mine does. Doesn’t matter what it is, yer quirk is special, so what if it makes y’ crave blood. An if y’ happen to need human blood well.” Izumi pulled back, thrusting her arm under Himiko’s nose. “Then ah’m willin' t’ give y’ mah blood for the rest o’ mah life.”

Himiko’s eyes widen, red and puffy with crying, slit pupils expanding as the smell of ferns and steel inundates her nose. Her mouth salivates a little. Before she shakes her head. “I-I can’t it… it’s not nOrMaL” Her voice warbles oddly, her parents voices in her mouth.

“It’s normal fer y’ an that’s what matters. It’s y’r quirk, y’r life, an they don get to have a say anymore. An if you wan blood then dadgummit ah’ll give you summa mine, gods dammit.” She shakes her arm as if to emphasize this.

With that, Himiko’s last shred of resistance fades. She gently grabs Izumi’s arm, running a finger up it slowly as if she can’t believe it’s real, (eliciting a shiver and a blush from the taller girl the smell of ferns and steel getting even stronger, making Himiko’s head spin.) Slowly, she brings it up, and, with a small gasp from Izumi was that pain or something else , bites down.

Immediately ecstasy floods her as the most delicious thing she’s ever tasted fills her mouth. Nothing compares as the taste of Izumi coats her tongue. She sucks on her friends arm like it’s an oasis and she has been lost in the desert. Unknown instinct bursts to life as she coats herself in something sticky and warm, her perspective shifting higher as she opens her eyes to stare into an identical, equally shocked pair.

Himiko pulls back from Izumi, lapping slightly at the punctures like a cat as they seem to close before their eyes. Leaving behind small bruised looking marks where the wounds had been. Two identical plant haired girls turned at the sound of a cough at the door, staring up at the hitherto unnoticed form of Inko.

“You know dear, when I said you could give her some blood. I meant we would pick up a carton from the butchers, not that you should perform quirk experiments in your bedroom. Unsupervised. Again.”

A plant haired girl stood in the bathroom, green eyes roving her face in the mirror. Turning her head this way and that, as if she was bewildered by what she saw. Mouth opening and tongue running along straight normal teeth, little pauses when it runs into the canines. She closes it again, leaning closer to the mirror to more thoroughly examine her eyes.

“Himi-Toga-chan, ah brought y’ some clothes.”

The soft knock and alto voice of Izumi at the bathroom door startles her, so much in fact that her skin appears to start dissolving, much to her horror. Quickly jumping into the tub she watches transfixed as the form of her crush friend sloughs off into a scintillating mass of iridescent purple and blue slime.

Blinking in shock, she didn’t register the door opening. She did, however, look up upon hearing the high-pitched squeak as Izumi stepped in. Neither said anything, Himiko blushing lightly, covering herself as much as she could with the translucent curtain . Izumi a colour more likely to be found on a tomato stammering, unable to get a word out .

Growing concerned, Himiko, managed to ask. “Y-yes Izumi?” Hoping to break the pause the other girl seemed to be under.

“P-p-pretty” Izumi’s eye’s widened as she clapped a hand over her mouth with a squeak. Her face, if anything, grew even redder.

Himiko’s own complexion darkened to match, even as she felt her heart ache for some reason. i t’s not like she meant it that way.

“Th-thanks, you’re… you’re pretty cute yourself.” She looked away, feeling incredibly bashful all of a sudden.

Izumi squeaked again, closing her eyes as she deposited the clothes on the counter.

“S-sorry, a h got worried when y’ didn’t answer an’ thought a h ’d check up on y’. D-did y’ figure out more o’ y er quirk? Did y’ turn off the transformation or is there a time limit? Maybe it’s based on how much y’ drink, do y’ think y’ could use m ah quirk? Maybe if in y’ were given enough blood so that y’ could photosynthesize like a h do to make th’ internal resource a h need. Ah wonder if in y’ can store blood for later in a similar manner.” Himiko stared on in bewilderment as her small hysterical rant descended into incomprehensible mumbles.

“Uh, Izuchan, while it’s super cute cool how into quirks you get. I need to get dressed. We can figure everything out later ok? Assuming the police aren’t about to come haul me away…” She trailed off at the end, worrying her lip with her teeth.

Izumi jerked as if struck leveling a heated glare into the wall. “They better not, don’ y’ worry none Himi-Toga-chan. Ah’ll fight fer y’ if they try. Ge’ dressed an’ come on downstairs, we’ll get y’ some grub and figure this all out.” With that she walked back out, still noticeably pink.

Being shocked was becoming something of a theme for Himiko this morning, though she guessed she shouldn’t be. After all Izumi was there being heroic from the first moment she met her till the day she confessed her cravings. Shaking her head ruefully, she grabbed the, thankfully plain, t-shirt. Idly enjoying the lingering smell of ferns and steel present on it as she got dressed and ready to face the music.

Izumi meanwhile, was screaming internally as her Mother sent her conspiratorial looks and far from subtle winks. She knew she should have waited for the blood to drain from her cheeks. Now she had to deal with even more teasing about Himiko Toga-chan and when did san become chan than she already did. Sure, she may like girls, and sure her friend was cute, and adorable, and sexy, but that did not mean that she had a crush on her.

Thankfully her racing thoughts were interrupted by the subject walking down the stairs. She looked, kinda odd to be honest, wearing a plain t-shirt and shorts. There was just something so… un-himiko about it. Unsure what to say, mind still flashing back to the encounter in the bathroom. Izumi foundered for a moment untill her mom took pity on her and took charge.

“It’s so good to finally meet you dear. I’m Midoriya Inko, Izumi’s mother. Izumi couldn’t stop talking about you all summer.”

“Thank you, S-sorry for the intrusion Midoriya-san I just didn’t know where else to go”

She walked quickly over, offering and wrapping Himiko in a most accepted hug. “Don’t you worry dear, with how much I’ve heard about you you’re practically family already.” Izumi could feel her soul leaving her body. “Why don’t you sit down and get yourself some lunch, OK dear?”

Himiko sat, nervously nibbling at the, admittedly very good, sandwich placed in front of her. No one was saying much of anything beyond Inko checking that she had all she needed. Unable to bear the rising tension in her gut any longer, she voiced the main question on her mind this morning.

“W-when are the police coming to arrest me?” She didn’t look up, staring at the plate like it was the executioners block.

“Arrest you? Why would they arrest you dear?” Inko was genuinely confused.

Himiko’s heart sank, of course, she didn’t know. No wonder she w as being so nice to a demon her.

“W-wel l, I-I attacked Saito-kun… and… and…” She couldn’t continue, bursting into tears.

Inko immediately wrapped her in another hug, this time joined by Izumi who practically leapt across the table to join in.

“Shhh… Shh..” Inko comforted her, rubbing small circles in her back. “No one is getting arrested dear, you just rest for today. Tomorrow we can go down to the station and explain everything. I’m sure we can get it all straightened out.”

A wave of emotion slammed into Himiko. s heer terror hidden behind her mask. Going to the station meant talking to the police. Talking to the police meant that she would be arrested. Or worse, if she weren’t arrested, they would make her go back there . Memory after memory flashed through her head. Of being called a monster for finding that dead bird, for kissing a bruise, for drinking blood. Being locked in her room without food if she ever even mentioned blood. The endless hunger no matter if she ate or not. The constant fog as she desperately tried to be normal, to win her parents love. Never smiling, w hat a monstrous smile. Never enough. you wont be able to win a husband that way. Never safe. a lock sliding across her door, as she begged her parents to explain why, why couldn’t she like red, why couldn’t they love her.

Externally she kept her well practiced closed lip smile. Nodding her head as she answered. “Sounds like a plan, Midoriya-san.”

Izumi was practically bouncing in her seat as she waited for Himiko to finish eating. Almost as soon as the last bite disappeared behind those kissable lips she was out of her seat and over to Himiko in a flash.

“Come on. Ah wanna show y’ mah greenhouse!” Dragging her crush friend up and out the back door.

“Don’t scare her off before you even have a chance sweetie!” Her mother couldn’t help but send one final teasing shot her way as she started to clean up, chuckling ruefully.

Tripping in her shock. Izumi nearly brought both of them crashing to the ground, both girls faces a bright crimson as she quickly regained her footing and kept going, determined not to give her mother the satisfaction.

Ignoring what Inko implied. She did not have a crush on her best friend, thank you. and besides, there’s no way someone as wonderful as Izumi would be interested in a demon like her. Himiko instead took the opportunity to look around the back of the house. She had seen photo’s of course, but nothing compares to seeing things with your own eyes. Placed on the edge of the woods as they were the Midoriyas had a fairly large parcel of land, enough for their needs. There was Izumi’s ample greenhouse, with several new scorch marks it seemed. Beside that was the garden, blooming magnificently as bees worked industriously in it. Flying back and forth from the several apiaries that were Inko’s honey business.

A s they walked towards the greenhouse, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “I love how super cute your house is, a ll lovely and picturesque” Himiko was as smitten as the first time she saw the photos.

T his, naturally resulted in another round of blushing and spluttering from the foliage headed girl. Stumbling once more and very aware of Himiko’s hand still clasped in her own.

“Th-thank y’ Toga-chan. (Himiko hid a wince at the reminder of them) Ah try mah best to keep evrythin’ growin’ well. Come in, Ah wanna show you mah hero stuff!”

Izumi hadn’t shared as many photos of the interior, worried about boring her friend, so Himiko was practically bouncing from excitement, darting in as soon as the door was open. Now the one being dragged around, Izumi watched, befuddled and flattered, as Himiko gushed over things she wouldn’t expect; hydraulic vines, prototype wooden air rifle and beanbag cannon, 8 bit computer tree singing daisy softly to itself, pitcher plant Leyden jar test number 157.

Bending over a specific patch of the regular garden, Himiko turned to her crush friend.

“ I think they’re super cute, but why do you have a planter of spider lilies?” Her head cocked to the side like a confused cat.

Izumi turned as crimson as the flowers, stammering out something incomprehensible as she tried to fish for an answer that wasn’t the truth, that she grew them because they reminded her of her crush friends hair buns when they met.

After the tour, after dinner, after setting her up in the guest room, A pair of amber eyes snapped open, flashing softly in the low moonlight as their owner crept with catlike tread to the door. A bag slung over their shoulder as they carefully made their way to one of the other bedrooms, opening the door softly to reveal a figure with red and pink willow branches for hair, slumped over a desk and notebook, a potted queen of the night flower glowing and throwing light onto the desk. Breathing out to fade into the world, Himiko made her way in, grabbing the blanket from the bed as she gently covered the softly snoring figure of Izumi.

“I’m sorry Izuchan, but I can’t go back to them. I’m scared I’d never escape again, never be allowed to be me, until I went mad from it. So… I have to go, I can’t risk meeting the police. I’ll see you at UA Izuchan, I… I think I love you.” Himiko gently placed a note on the desk, promising to be a Hero with her. Pressing soft lips to Izumi’s forehead, eliciting an adorable little sigh from the sleeping girl. Fading once more, Himiko left the house, disappearing into the night. Unaware but expectant of the chaos in the morning when Izumi found her note, of the tears as she went to Inko and begged to go find Himiko, of the fliers posted around Nara, of the interviews with random strangers, of the longer and longer bike rides, hoping to catch a glimpse of golden spider lillies .

For the next two weeks though, Izumi would see neither hide nor hair of Toga Himiko.

Chapter Text

Her knee wouldn’t stop bouncing anxiously as she sat on the train to Mustuafu. Would she be there, or was that the last time she would ever see her crush, first love friend again. As the train stopped, she went with the flow of the crowd, looking around anxiously for a familiar glint of golden hair, her feet carrying her all the way to the gates of UA without conscious thought. She stopped, scanning the crowd of students filtering in, worrying her lip with her teeth. A sudden voice behind her startled her out of her thoughts.

“Get out of my way, now, before I set you on fire.” She jumps, startled, heart pounding as she stares wide eyed at entirely the wrong blond.

It had been 8 years, but Kacchan Bakugo looked exactly the same as ever. Slouched, scowling at the world as if it had personally offended him. His red eyes narrowed as he caught proper sight of her, before passing without comment, save for a muttered. “Shitty Deku” as he passed.

She flinched instinctively at that, before sighing, shaking her head as she turned to follow him in.

“Well he seems pleasant.” For the second time in as many minutes Izumi felt like she was having a heart attack, whirling again she felt vaguely like a top to face… Her. Same short stature, same seifuku though a little worse for wear under her KamuiWoods hoodie she knew Himiko had taken it, same shadows under her gorgeous sharp amber eyes, Golden unkempt hair up in duel spider lily buns, face wide in the cutest smile in the world a beaming fanged smile.

“Hiya Izuchan. You know, it doesn’t bode well for your dream of being a hero if little old me can sneak-” That was as far as Himiko got before she found herself trying to fend off the rolled up newspaper that Izumi had pulled from… somewhere.

“What. Were. Y’. Thinkin’.” Izumi did not let up her assault, each word punctuated by a further strike. “D’ y’ know how worried ah’ve been?! Ah was convinced ah would read abou’ yer death any day! Why’d y’ runnoft like tha’?! We was gonna get it all worked out! All y’-” She was cut off as the blond wrapped her arms around her.

“Awwww, I missed you too Izuchan. Don’t worry, I got a plan. If I get into UA then there’s no way they can keep me locked up anymore see?” She nuzzled greedily into the familiar smell of ferns and steel.

Izumi felt her anger drain out of her as she returned the embrace, melting into the cat eyed girls arms. “Ah missed y’ Toga-chan. Look, iffin yer not gonna come back to Nara wit meh, A’ least tell meh yer safe an’ have a way fer meh t’ keep in touch? Ah tried yer phone but it said it were disconnected.”

Himiko pouted at the chosen form of address. “Only if… you call me Himiko!” She purred. Smiling somewhat predatorily up at the taller girl. “Surly you can do that for me Izuchan. Just three syllables... Hi-mi-ko?”

Izumi felt her face turn red hot, stammering as she tried to back away from the blonds suddenly iron tight grip. “D-d’y’ have s-some way o’ reachin’ y’ H-himiko-san?”

Said blond giggled happily she had time to work on the san as she finally released Izumi, bouncing in place as she held out a cheap red prepaid flip phone, which Izumi hastily copied down the number for into her own.

“I knew you could do it Izuchan, and don’t worry, I have somewhere to stay. assuming a managers office in an abandoned cannery counted. Come on, we should go or we’ll be late!” Grabbing the still blushing foliage haired lass by the hand, she marched her way towards the main entrance.

“R-right” Izumi was barely able to respond before she was dragged after her. Concentrating as she was on getting her head in the game and keeping her balance, she failed to see the raised brick in the path until her foot bounced right into it. Hand slipping from Himiko’s grasp as she plummeted to her doom, her final thoughts were of apologizing to everyone for failing her dream. She never hit the ground though, instead, she felt a very soft hand tap her shoulder, and then the oddest sensation of vertigo as she started to rotate in place.

“Sorry about using my quirk on you like that.” A bubbly voice said in a slightly stilted accent as Izumi felt herself being righted in mid air. Gently placed on the ground, she finally got a clear look at her savior.

Rosy cheeks in a tanned face, slightly chubby, wearing black tights over thick muscular legs, a black skirt and brown jacket with a five striped blue pink and white armband, and a similarly striped scarf, brown slightly floaty hair, a gap toothed smile almost too bright to bear as her really attractively buff arms she brought her finger beans hands together, and with a pink flash, Izumi felt herself return to terra firma.

“I figured it’d be bad luck if you fell.” All Izumi could do was nod absently feeling her face flush again. “Well we should get to the exam, good luck you two” Waving happily at them as she ran off towards the entrance. Himiko waving just as enthusiastically.

“Well she was super cute wasn’t she Izuchan?” Himiko turned to face the, currently bright red, other girl. “She’s right though, we need to get moving. Let’s go, we can talk about cute girls later.” Izumi squeaked slightly at the thought as she followed her.

Even after finishing the written exam and making her way to the auditorium. Himiko was still pouting over the fact that they couldn’t sit together. She had had to wait two whole weeks to get a love charge and she wasn’t anywhere close to full. She hoped that brunette got in, she was super cute as well and seemed really nice. If only she was allowed to hold onto that cute knife she had found. It had been extremely helpful whilst on the streets and she had grown attached to it. Who knew knife skills for cooking could be repurposed for self defense? and maybe a little vigilanteism against some muggers but she had to get blood somehow . She shook her head a little as she focused on what’s his name the giant cockatiel at the front.

Elsewhere in the auditorium, Izumi’s mouth was going a mile a minute, her seat neighbors leaning away from her slightly fearfully as she scribbled just as fast in notebook. not noticing a similar scene taking place a few rows above her around a girl with pink dreads. She was shaken from her fugue state by a blue haired student interrupting Present Mic as he was explaining the point system for robot take-downs.

“Excuse me, sir, but I have a question.” Said student asked rather perfunctorily

Present Mic responded by firing finger guns at the student. “Hit me!”

“On the printout, you've listed four types of villains. Not three. With all due respect, if this is an error on official UA materials, it is shameful. We are exemplary students. We expect the best from Japan's most notable school. A mistake such as this won't do.” The student suddenly turned towards Izumi, glasses flashing in the light as his brows furrowed into a stern glare. “Additionally, you two with the pink hair. You've been muttering this entire time. Stop that. If you can't bother to take this seriously, leave. You're distracting the rest of us.”

Izumi sank into her seat, mumbling apologies from behind her hands as the girl above her cackled instead and started saying something back, but was drowned out by everyone else laughing as Mic resumed speaking.

“All right, all right. Examinee number 7‐1‐1‐1, thanks for calling in with your request! The fourth villain type is worth zero points. That guy's just an obstacle we'll be throwing in your way. There's one in every battle center, think of it as a hurdle you should try to avoid. It's not that it can't be beaten, but there's… kinda no point. I recommend my listeners try to ignore it and focus on the ones toppin' the charts.”

The blue haired student bowed stiffly. (Izumi swore that she could take a level to his back and find it perfectly parallel to the ground) “Thank you very much. Please, continue.”

“That's all I got for you today. I'll sign off with a little present. A sample of our school motto! As General Napoleon Bonaparte once laid down.

‘A true hero is one who
overcomes life's misfortunes.’

That's why, and lemme hear ya, we go beyond”

“PLUS ULTRA! ” The auditorium practically shook with the roar of the students.

“Good luuuck~ Have fun suffering.” And with that, rather ominous dismissal, the students made their way to the fleet of buses standing by for them.

After arriving, Present Mic came on the loudspeaker to give them another rundown of the challenge ahead of them. Most were mulling around in the general vicinity of the door. Most, but for Izumi herself, now dressed in a fairly durable dark green jumpsuit, hair tied back in a yellow bow, tails sticking up like bunny ears. or a certain number one hero’s hair She breathed deeply for a second, before bending down, toe beans finger pads lighting up bright green as the ground beneath her split. This would almost entirely drain her reserves, but it was worth it.

Trees erupted from the ground to encircle her lower legs, adding to her already tall hight. She absently noticed that the stern student from earlier marching her way, but she ignored him in favour of focusing on what she was making. The trees shifted to two trunks on either side. Following the back and front of her legs and making a sort of armored skirt around her lower body, continuing up her back along the contour of her spine. Branches reaching out to shield her abdomen and chest, more branches following just above her arms before becomeing a massive pair of clawed arms that followed her movements, finally capping off with a helmet in a slightly hellenistic style that kept her eyes and mouth visible.

“Excuse me!” Izumi turned to face the stiff young man. Tree trunks uprooting themselves with each step. “You really should have finished any preparations earlier. “All of us are trying to focus on the trials ahead. What are you here to do? Distract us and ruin our chances to succeed?”

Izumi was rather taken aback by this. “W-w-what?! No, I-”

“START! Get moving! There are no countdowns in real life. Run, run, run, listeners! You're wasting airtime here.”

Shaking her head, Izumi turned and raced towards the battle center, her longer strides letting her catch up to the others fairly easily as she resolved to figure out his deal later. Right now…

She had a competition to win. even if it wasn't her idea

It was absolute chaos and Himiko was reveling in every second of it. She had worried at first that she’d not be able to score any points. (And thus lose the bet she had forced on made with Izumi) But it turns out the bots were fairly fragile. After managing to beat one one pointer down, she had managed to repurpose parts of its frame as a pair of makeshift knives, tearing through the subsequent bots with relative ease. Turns out that the bots and muggers shared a lot of the same weak points, who knew! Izuchan probably, she seemed to know everything when it came to heroics. As she took down another pack of totally uncute bots, choosing to ignore that she had been chasing a targeting laser towards them idly noticing that they had been cornering a rather ill looking blond clutching their stomach. Ignoring whatever it was he was saying it sounded foreign anyway, she never did have an ear for language in favour of flashing him a fanged grin and a wave as she ran off.

She had lost count at some point but she thought she was doing well. Still, better to be Plus Ultra about it! what did plus ultra even mean anyway She was just about to go cut down some more when she felt the ground shake violently. Looking around bewildered she was shocked to see a robot the size of a building, a large zero on one side.

Deciding that discretion was definitely the better part of valour on this particular occasion, she quickly turned to run. Before a sudden crushing weight on her legs bringing her painfully to the ground dissuaded her of that notion.

Turing to look back, she could only whine in shock and pain as she found herself completely pinned. The Zero Pointer drawing ever closer.

Ochako was in a minor state of panic. Sure she was doing well with her own quirk, but she hadn’t felt a thing from One For All all day. Surely the hair was long digested now right? Maybe Yagi had decided that she was unworthy after all. Slapping her cheeks gently to get her head back in the game, she pressed her finger beans together, smiling slightly at the memory of her favourite bedtime story. another load of robots dashing themselves to pieces on the ground. She breathed out slowly as she gripped some pressure points in her wrists to soothe her roiling stomach, when the world lurched around her. Stumbling backwards to the ground, she looked on aghast as the largest robot she had ever seen pulled itself to its full, building sized, height. Other applicants ran past her as she scrambled to her feet to follow, resolving to do as Mic-sensei said and ignore it.

Until she heard the, oddly feline, cry of pain behind her. Turning, eyes wide with shock, she spied that someone had fallen and was pinned. Distantly she recognized her as that blond girl with the cute smile she kind of met at the gate.

And for the second time in her life,

Ochako’s feet moved on their own.

Izumi had been shocked as anyone when the Zero Pointer appeared. While she did think of a few things she could do to try and slow it down, she elected to ignore it like Present Mic suggested and everyone else was doing as well.

She heard the soft exhalation of someone hitting the ground behind her.

Turning, Izumi spotted a girl with fairy wings wincing as she pushed herself up, only for her eyes to widen in terror as a chunk of building fell towards her.

And Izumi’s feet moved on their own.

Reisen closed her eyes as the piece of building fell towards her... only for the expected end to never come. Instead, she felt herself get swept into what felt like tree branches, accompanied by a sudden sensation of movement. Opening her eyes again, she stared into the helmeted face of her saviour. Startling green eyes above freckled cheeks stretched into a slightly shaky smile visible through the front slit. The branches that were holding her were part of a larger exoskeleton that framed her limbs and made her already tall form that much larger.

“Ahr-ahr y’ ok?” Her hero stuttered in a surprisingly southern drawl.

Nodding she felt herself set gently on the ground. Her rescuers eyes literally glowing with determination.

“Keep headin for the exit, Ah’m gonna make sure it can’ hur’ nobody else.”Nodding again, she fled.

Izumi turned to face the Zero Pointer, the right arm of her suit folding to her back as she knelt, her real arm touching the pavement as she erupted in green light. The ground cracking beneath her as a large tree formed and grew up, before detaching from the ground and falling sideways, the arm of her suit unfolding and grabbing it as it did. Now holding a massive wooden rifle, she shifted her position untill she was shouldering it. A small flower at the breech opened to reveal an oculus which she carefully sighted with a small branch at the other end.

“Alright Izumi, jus like y’ practiced” she softly muttered to herself.

Inhale

Exhale

Inhale

Hold

A mental command sent into the linked firearm, the trigger pulled, followed by a colossal roar and burst of fire from the muzzle.

The crack of a 42lb acorn the size of her head and as hard as iron hitting Mach 1.5.

Followed shortly by adeafening shattering sound and scream of tortured metal as it colliding with the head of the zero pointer. Another loud blast as it detonated inside followed by the robot staggering back.

And a series of deflagrating explosions continued down its body as it collapsed.

Exhale

Throwing away the now burning cannon as she stood, turning to meet the wide, shocked eyes of her fellow testers as the wind carried away the cloud of smoke surrounding her.

Ochako ran with no plan in mind, all her focus on the trapped blond and the Zero Pointer bearing down on her.

One step

Then another

An unknown instinct from deep within her caused a maelstrom of power to erupt from her legs, shredding her shoes and the bottoms of her cheap jogging pants as she crouched and jumped.

Dancing lights of green and red followed her as the dust was blown away.

Her right arm pulled back as her finger beans glowed a bright pink. A small ball of… something forming in front of her open palm. Which she thrust towards the Zero Pointer in, palm outstretched, with a cry of “Gravity... Smash”

The vaguely ball shaped something hurtl ed forward, l ensing the light around it in a way that made her head hurt, slamming into the “face” of the Zero Pointer. The entire thing caving inwards as it reared back, b riefly erupting into a series of explosions before there was a massive rush of air, and the shrieking of rent steel as the head collapsed inwards even more, followed by the rest as it was compressed into a ball the size of her family home, c rashing into the street with an All Mighty bang, cratering it on impact.

She hung there for a breathless moment, palm out, arm and legs purple, bruised, bloody, and visibly broken.

Before physics reared its ugly head after being so wantonly defied, and she began to fall.

Himiko watched, stunned, as the cutie from earlier flew up and single-handedly took down the Zero Pointer. No longer in mortal peril, she quickly got her head back in the game.

Taking the form of some kid who had been following her and looking up her skirt a few days ago, before she took some of his blood and threatened to call the cops on him. the disgusting taste of his blood like sour grapes as she slipped from the debris and her clothes and just as quickly shed his form in a slough of grey slime accompanied by her gagging.

Looking up again at the brunette who saved her left her breathless. The girl was now falling like a stone, screaming in both pain and fear, obviously very broken arm and legs flapping behind her, streaming beautiful blood from many small splits in the skin. Himiko couldn’t believe that this almost complete stranger would so thoroughly destroy herself for her. It was one of the most attractive things she had ever seen. She watched, heart in her throat, as said rescuer seemed to grit her teeth and slap herself with a pink flash, her rate of decent slowing somewhat but not enough to get her out of danger as she retched and gagged above Himiko.

Looking for something she could do to save her beautiful bloody buxom saviour she quickly formed a plan.

Ochako was not having a good time.

On the one hand, she definitely had confirmation that she had One For All. Though the way it apparently was interacting with her quirk was… interesting.

On the other hand, she was now plummeting towards the unforgiving earth like a Soviet moon rocket with three shattered limbs.

The pain was unbearable. Tears pouring from her eyes as she screamed and fell headfirst towards her certain demise.

Images of her parents, of All Might Yagi-shishou, of everything she had done to get her flooded her mind.

With every ounce of willpower left, she used her remaining hand to slap herself. The familiar pink flash of her quirk followed by the familiar feeling of nausea and then the unfamiliar feeling of something that wasn’t zero gravity washing over her.

Sure, it tickled her inner ear in the same way, but it felt both more and less floaty than Zero Gravity usually felt. Though her fall was arrested. It was no where near slow enough as she continued to fall at a decidedly unsafe speed for her continued survival.

Before she could dwell on this too much, her stomach decided it had had enough. Gagging and retching she could barely keep her meager breakfast down. Yagi-shishou had told her to eat more, but she was so nervous and old habits die hard. Barely focusing as she thankfully continued to shed speed, not fast enough, no where near fast enough, oh gods she was going to die. she was therefore understandably shocked when a adorably cute and alluring naked blond girl with slitted eyes, covered in some sort of slime, slammed into her and pushed her sideways into a broken chunk of building.

Himiko turned so that she took the impact, making sure to avoid jostling the brunette’s super cute broken arms too much. Grunting as her back made contact, feeling a few ribs break as her back was rubbed raw by the, thankfully sloped, concrete as they slid to the ground, ending up at the bottom with a grunt of pain from both her and her hero.

Who proceeded to smile at her thankfully and with some amount of awe, an emotion that Himiko shared before violently heaving herself to the side as she rather messily emptied her stomach, thankfully avoiding hitting Himiko before passing out in her arms.

Surprising herself by giggling at the rather revolting display. She gently stroked the girls hair as she herself drifted into unconsciousness from the pain and adrenaline crash.

The last thing she heard was a bell, followed by a deafening,

“TIME”

from Present Mic that cockatiel from earlier.

Chapter Text

Eight suns beat down upon the empty beach, the waves moving soundlessly in and out as Ochako looked around herself. She felt strangely at peace as a figure seemed to come closer, shimmering like a mirage, as the beach itself grew dimmer and dimmer. The last thing she could make out was the smiling form of a woman shrouded by a bright purple light as she faded once more into unconsciousness.

A gasp interrupted the still air of the infirmary. Cat-like amber eyes blown wide, before shutting against the harsh white light of the room. Himiko forced her eyes open again, pupils a thin black line against the glare. Sitting up slowly, she cautiously scanned her surroundings. Mostly medical devices she couldn’t name, curtained beds, the girl who saved her, a computer- wait, what was that last one? Her head swiveled back around, cheeks flushing as she took in the occupant of the bed next to her.

Light auburn hair spread angelically on the pillow. Face and arms bandaged, sadly hiding all that gorgeous delicious red, slightly pudgy cheeks dusted with a slight permanent blush.

She felt her heart quicken as she took in her angel hero, biting her lip as she recalled the other girl's appearance when last she saw her.

“I’m afraid she’ll be asleep for a little longer, deary.”

Yowling in surprise, she practically leapt off the bed, spinning to face the door as her hands reached for her knife, only to come up empty as she discovered she was clad in a hospital gown.

“If you’re looking for your clothes, they’re on the chair on the other side of the bed.” The somewhat hunched old woman in front of her seemed more amused than threatened, as she slowly made her way to the chair in front of the computer, syringe cane clacking with every step.

Cautiously making her way around the bed, never taking her eyes off the old woman, Himiko discovered her words to be true, and she snatched up her threadbare yellow cardigan and skirt and the knives that were thankfully still in the hidden pockets she’d sewn into them.

“Feel free to close the curtains while you change. I’ll be waiting to talk and see how you’re feeling after.”

Ochako cracked her eyes open and almost immediately slammed them shut as they were assaulted by the bright lights of the infirmary. Cracking them open again, her first thought that she was still dreaming though her dreams of late had been more confusing than anything like this as she was met with the sight of a creamy expanse of skin that she had last seen saving her from an almost certainly grisly fate. Drowsily she happily took in the sight of the girl in the next bed getting dressed for a moment, before her eyes opened wide again as full consciousness took hold. A strangled cry left her lips as she tried to get up and turn at the same time, getting tangled in the sheets as she found herself crashing to the unforgiving ground for the second time that day. A groan of pain filling the air when her recently broken arm and legs are jostled by the action. To add insult to injury a faint giggling comes from somewhere above her crumpled form as the now fully dressed girl she saved poked her head over the side of the bed, face flushed and split by a wide, fanged smile, blonde hair hanging loose and messy.

“You okay there cutie?~”

“J-just peachy.” She could feel her own blush darkening in embarrassment and something else, she felt she would give anything to see that painfully cute smile for the rest of her life.

Making her way around the bed the nameless attractive blonde reached out a hand to help her up.

“You know, if you liked the view, you should have said something rather than fall out of bed.” In truth Himiko was feeling rather embarrassed for forgetting to shut the curtain that separated their bed, but as usual she hid it behind a mountain of bravado.

“Sh-shut up, ah-I’d like to see you react calmly to seeing a very attractive naked girl firs’ thing when yah wake up.” Accepting the hand as she was pulled, wincing at her sore limbs, to her feet.

“I dunno, you might be right there. Why? Is that an offer to help me test it.~” Winking at the now bright red woman. Himiko turned to go talk to the patiently waiting (and texting) nurse, an extra sway in her hips.

Ochako was left speechless and gaping like a fish. a s she appreciatively watched her walk away.

Izumi frowned down at her phone. Still no word from Toga Himiko. She sighed, putting it back in her bag as she made her way to the next exam, mentally reviewing the notes for her presentation.

Support exams at UA Conservatory of Heroics were fairly unique. Where some schools with a Heroics Support program just expected you to pass a written and oral exam and save the hard stuff for after you had matriculated, UA also wanted either a presentation on a support design, analysis, or item that you had produced, along with the usual exam while being more in depth about how you would solve a particular problem.

Thus, Izumi sat, fiddling with her chosen support item. A proof of concept exoskeleton arm from her, if all goes to plan, more permanent Hero outfit. The waiting room itself was filled with support hopefuls. and the slightly unhinged cackling of that one girl she recalled being at the Heroics exam as well. As they slowly filed in twos and threes into the rooms beyond, ne’er to return, She may be being a bit dramatic but she was very nervous. idly she wondered what Himiko was up to.

It was a rather shaky Himiko that waited outside of the infirmary for her new crush, friend acquaintance. The school nurse, (Recovery Girl, her brain supplied) had been rather frightening in how she explained how, exactly, her healing quirk worked. Himiko was rather alright with not being healed to death thank you. Shaking herself slightly, she turned at the sound of the door opening, a smile and blush coming to her cheeks once more, she wondered if she might have a cold, only Izumi had made her feel this way before. calling out to her apparently equally shaken hero and appreciating the cute squeak of surprise she made as she turned to face her.

“I hope you weren’t planning on running off before I could thank you for the super cute way that you saved me~” Himiko’s words appeared to have an instant effect on the other hero hopeful, what with the way her permanent blush spread to encompass her whole face in a way that Himiko really appreciated, it was like a small teaser of the beautiful blood inside filling the hallway with the smell of raspberries and petrichor.

Ochako wasn’t sure what to say, unused to such bold teasing. Still, her parents hadn’t raised her to be impolite.

“W-well, yer welcome. Though I’m not sure how cute it was, I broke both my legs and my arm doing it.” Ochako was frowning by the end, the memory of how One for All had overwhelmed her body sending phantom shocks of pain down her sore limbs.

“Besides, I seem tah recall you savin me right back?” The blush returned with a vengeance as she recalled exactly how the other young woman had saved her. Remembering her manners again she realized that she’d never introduced herself.

“I’m Uraraka Ochako by the way, it’s very nice to meet you.”

Himiko couldn’t help herself. Pulling the, now spluttering, shorter girl into a hug as she introduced herself in kind.

“That’s exactly why it was so cute! Nice to meet you Ochako-chan, call me Himiko. A cutie like you who saved my life gets to use my first name.”

Ochako felt a bit like she might explode from all this teasing. “O-ok Himiko-chan” (Himiko frowned slightly at that) “We should probably go though, I need to get back to the hotel to pack and I’m sure you need to get home as well.”

Himiko hummed slightly at that, releasing the hug and grabbing Ochako’s hand instead. (Eliciting another squeak from the bright red girl.)

“Well, I don’t have to be anywhere, but I’ll gladly help you pack if you’d like? Oh! Or maybe we could get dinner first? I dunno about you but I haven't eaten since lunch and I’m totally starving. I know a place nearby that has cheap ramen.”

Ochako was about to refuse but then Himiko said the magic word. “Well I wouldn’t mind getting something small.”

Himiko let out a small cheer, “It’s a date!” And so she led the way, dragging Ochako behind her and studiously ignoring the other girls' spluttered denials.

Shaking her head, Izumi decided it wasn’t the time to speculate as she heard her name called. Leaving the still cackling where did she get the air student and the remaining hopefuls as she walked through the door to her fate.

Eyes adapting to the darker room, she was surprised to see only Power Loader a fact that was making her hands itch for her autograph book as she resisted the urge to start geeking out standing by a workbench. She focused as she heard the hero speak however.

“Midoriya right? Come on over here. You’re just applying to minor in Support right? More focusing on how to make your own support equipment than on being a full time Technician right?”

Izumi nodded, not trusting herself to speak yet.

“Fantastic, get a few of you every year so don’t worry about it seeming abnormal. You already know how this works. I’ll just add that I am not a judge and am just her to keep track of time and ask questions. Sound good? Then begin.”

“R-Righ, Um, well. This is mah proposed support Item for indoor close combat. Usin mah quirk, ah slowly grew an exoskeleton ahrm. Similar to the one ah grew for the power suit ah used in the Heroics exahm but by growin it slow like it’ll be hardier an won’ decay rapidly like that one did.” She paused while she put on the arm, using a vine as a makeshift harness. “As you see, ah retain full range of movement without much impedance, though that will ultimately depend on the armour that ah attach to it. For now it increases my strength by several factors through the use of hydraulics. In addition it is useless without my quirk meanin’ even if it does fall into a villains hands it’s fundamentally useless.” She started off shaky but quickly hit her stride, going on to answer several questions about materials and time of manufacture before their time eventually ran out.

“Very good Ms. Midoriya. Your results will be delivered in a weeks time. Please bear in mind that if you do not pass the Heroics exam then your results here will not matter unless you put General Studies or Support as a backup. Thank you for your time and good luck.”

Bowing to Power Loader and resolving to get an autograph next time she made her way to the indicated door, a different one than she arrived in. Stepping through it into the dazzling by comparison hallway. Checking to see if Himiko had replied she figured shed wait and meet her here. That is until a small explosion and some maniacal laughter in the room behind her convinced her to move on and wait elsewhere.

Walking out the front door a few minutes later she was surprised by a text notification from her phone, followed by several more in rapid order.

Slightly bemused, and worried about the “saved each other” part, Izumi put away her phone. Only to pull it out again with slight embarrassment to look up the directions.

Ochako was sure that she had died and gone to gay heaven. First of all, this cute pretty gorgeous girl had saved her. while naked her traitorous mind supplied. And now, after talking to her for all of five minutes she was dragging her off on a date to dinner. Never having done something like this before. the words freak, pervert, man echoed in her mind she had defaulted to blathering, going on about her favourite hero, Thirteen, her newfound motivations for being a hero the nights she still went hungry out of habit, and her worries that she was being selfish and what if her parents business started struggling and. Eventually though they stopped at some random alleyway (Ochako was kicking herself for not remembering the route, she supposed she’d just have to hope that they both get into UA so she could ask the other woman the way.) Shaking her head slightly, she realized that not only had Himiko released her hand she missed its presence immediately she had asked her a question.

“Sorry what was that, I was miles away.” Ochako sheepishly rubbed her neck, her head at an angle. A gesture that Himiko found impossibly endearing as she repeated her question.

“Well, You remember that girl you stopped from falling on the way to the exam?”

Ochako did, if only distantly. She was cute, exotic with her plant-like hair a little plain. Regardless, she nodded in response.

“Wellll, I hope you don’t mind but I invited her to eat with us as well. I kinda scared her a few weeks ago and was hoping to make it up to her. Sorry for not asking you, that wasn’t very cute of me.” Now it was Himiko’s turn to look sheepish.

Ochako felt her heart sink for some reason, even as she smiled and answered, “Well of course I don’t mind, I’m sure any friend of yours is just as nice.” She was rewarded when Himiko’s face split into a smile. That had to be illegal as she was sure her heart stopped when that fanged smile was directed at her.

“Great, I know you’ll get along, you’re both super cute and have similar views on heroics.”

Once more Ochako felt her face flush. The urge to hide her face almost overwhelmed her not that there was any chance she was that cute, or that the girl with the cute freckles was as selfish about being a hero as she was. Before she could descend into a spiral of embarrassment and self recrimination she heard someone call out behind her.

“Himiko-san! You’re not getting away this time missy!”

Izumi wasn’t sure what was going on with her emotions lately. On the one hand she should be incredibly annoyed with Himiko though that might be because she was just relieved to find her alive instead. At the same time she felt this odd twisting sensation she spotted her crush friend standing very close to the admittedly very cute nice girl she met at the gates. Shaking off the weird feelings she instead stalked continued walking down the alley grabbing a rather worried Himiko by the shoulders she was half tempted to shake her and pulling her into a hug.

“Ah’m still so worried bout y’. Ah know y’ said y’ can take care of yerself but… An’ then, y’ go and nearly get yerself hurt in a stupid school exam. Jus’ promise meh you’ll take care o’ yerself.” She pulled back from the hug, looking into Himiko’s face for any sort of a lie.

Himiko was rather taken aback. She knew, abstractly, that Izumi cared about her. But the depths of her emotions took her entirely off guard why on earth would anyone care about a monster like her?

“I-I promise Izumi-chan. Don’t worry, I won’t let anything jeopardize us going to UA together… all three of us.” Turning suddenly, Himiko once more grabbed a blushing and feeling vaguely out of place Ochako by the hand, “Ochako-chan, you have to promise to do your best to go to UA with us as well okay? OH! Ochako-chan, this is Izumi-chan. Izumi-chan, Ochako-chan” Himiko stepped back, giving both girls a subtle push towards each other.

Ochako’s blush, if anything, deepened as she was suddenly face to face with the girl “H-hi '' She winced at the scratchy low rasp of her voice, clearing her throat before trying again. “Hi, I’m Uraraka Ochako. It’s good to meet you on your feet this time.” She felt herself gaining confidence as she spoke, her usual bubbly style coming through more and more. “You’re name is Izumi right?”

Feeling vaguely like she would die if she had to deal with anymore pretty girls today Izumi realized that the pause had gone on a little to long as she managed to squeak out a reply. “Th-thas right, Ah-ah’m Midoriya Izumi. N-Nice to meet you Uraraka-san.”

“We should probably go and find a table, but wasn’t that exam just totally crazy?” Continuing to, somewhat incoherently, go over the exam. The trio went to get some food. Ochako gesticulating impassioned as she regaled Izumi with the tail of her and Himiko’s valiant mutual rescue. Himiko smiling broadly as she watched her two favourite people friends, occasionally interjecting with her side of the tale. Izumi slowly getting over her embarrassment at the proximity of the two cutest other girls in favour of pulling a notebook from… somewhere (Ochako and Himiko both trying to figure out where she was keeping it) to take notes on their quirks and the way that they used them.

Conversation over ramen had been light and flowing, all three girls finding that they enjoyed the company of the other two immensely. When they had exhausted the topic of the entrance exam, (“I can't believe you shot it with a cannon! That must have been insane!”) they had moved on to simple things, favourite foods, (Mochi for Ochako, Katsudon for Izumi, and Himiko had been oddly silent though Izumi had a good idea why before answering that she liked dark chocolate.) colours, bands, and so on. The conversation had gotten a little stilted when family came up, Himiko being as vague as possible even as her breathing quickened and smile became fixed., before Izumi took over, enthusiastically espousing about the bees her mother kept. (Ochako wasn’t blind, and noticed that Izumi didn’t mention her father, nor did she miss Himiko was on the verge of a panic attack.) Unfortunately, all things must end, the end this time was heralded by the ringing of an alarm from Ochako’s phone. Interrupting her before she could share her own family. Her eyes widening as she glanced at it.

“Shoot, I have to run and get my stuff from the hotel. I’m sorry but I’ll miss the train otherwise. It was super nice meeting you Midoriya-san. Thanks again for saving me Himiko-san!” Waving as she dashed off to a beaming smile from Izumi and a small pout at being san’d from Himiko. “Hope to see you both at UA! I know you two killed the exam.” With that final word, she vanished around the corner.

“See, I told you you two would get along! I’m so spoiled, I have two super cute besties to keep me company at UA.”

Izumi, who was about to resume scolding her, instead descended into blushing splutters as Himiko giggled.

“Come on, admit it, you think she’s cute as well.” Cajoled Himiko, nudging the nearly comatose form of what had once been an aspiring hero, now reduced to a bright red shell of plant girl. “Rather than scold me for my brilliant plan more, you should go get your stuff and catch a train as well.”

A small squeak greeted her as Izumi checked the time. Eye’s widening as she sprang up. A hurried “Gotta go” trailing behind her as she ran for the main road.

Watching her go as Himiko made her own unhurried way towards her “lodgings”, she was confused as her crush friend stood ramrod straight at the alleyway entrance, seeming to fight with herself, before dashing back and throwing her arms around the shorter girl. Himiko was just about to say something when all thought left her.

Blood rushed to fill Himiko's cheek as a soft sensation left it.

Then she was gone, a whispered, “Be safe Himiko-chan” in her ear, the lingering smell of ferns and steel in the air, and phantom lips on her cheek.

Chapter Text

It occurred to Himiko, a few days too late, that she probably should have spent the week waiting at Izuchan’s house rather than try and make her way back to Nara with whatever money she could scrounge up. She sighed, morosely counting up the few hundred yen she had managed to make by digging through the garbage for recycling. At this rate it would take several weeks to get the money she needed. Maybe a different strategy was needed…

“Hello, and welcome to Purrfect Beans where we’re cuter than kittens~ My name is Hikari, may I take your order?” Himko’s rosy cheeks were rapidly approaching full on blush levels. She resisted the urge to fiddle with the white apron on her uniform, the headband with orange cat ears slightly itchy.

She honestly wasn’t expecting to get a short term part time job when she walked into the small cafe. Help wanted ad or not, she wasn’t exactly flush with legal documentation at the moment. The Hostess and Manager, however, had taken one look at her and hired her on the spot. They weren't even all that concerned about paying her in cash, though when she told the manager that she was only going to be there a week he looked so forlorn she thought he might cry.

“There’s no way I can convince you to stay on after that?” The Manager looked about half a second from getting on his knees to beg. “It’s just that, your eyes and fangs, they’re purrfect for our cafe.”

Feeling more and more embarrassed and slightly flattered by the minute Himiko proposed a compromise. “So your cafe is super cute, I just don’t know if I’ll be able to come back after a week. How about, once I’m sure of my schedule I come back and we work out something?” Flashing him a winning smile.

She wasn’t sure how to feel when he nearly burst into tears.

Working in the cafe was an interesting experience for her. On the one hand, she had discovered that she liked coffee (or at least super sweet lattes), looked super cute in the outfit (the Manager had even given it to her as a sort of bribe), and was a hit with the customers (Most were surprised when she told them she didn’t have a cat mutation quirk). On the other hand, she kept tripping in her heels, was terrible at steaming milk (“You’ll get better with time.” Haruka had reassured her), and was still living in an alleyway down the road (thank goodness the changing room had a shower). All in all, Himiko enjoyed her time at the cafe, it helped that the Togas would have been disgusted with her working there and was sad when she finally had to take the train to Nara.

Soft panting was all that could be heard on the snowy wooded path. Ochako’s workout routine, whilst nowhere near as intense as it had been for the previous 10 months, still demanded a certain amount of her free time, as well as a good way to quieten her rising anxiety levels as the week drug on and on. Had she done enough? Would Yagi-shishou be ashamed of her? Would she get in would she see Himiko and Izumi again? Her thoughts continued to spiral even as she made her way back home, the familiar miles fading behind her.

She sighed as she hung up her sweater. It didn’t help that her dreams had been increasingly cryptic of late. The same image over and over again, a tropical beach with a storm far out to sea. Eight suns of increasing size and colour above a coalescing nebulae of pink and blue. She always woke up with a sense of being watched, and the sensation of being deep under the ocean. Honestly the whole thing should have been tremendously unnerving, yet… she never felt scared. If anything, she felt comforted by the dreams. It was only their recurring and mysterious nature that wore on her mind.

She shook her head, noting the time as she fished a container of trapezoidal blue pills out of her coat pocket, swallowing two as she made her way into the kitchen, the delicious smell of okonomiyaki guiding her steps.

Inko sighed as the window to the backyard vibrated. A small rain of dirt pattering against the glass. She shook her head and took another sip of tea as a distant “Ah’m alright!” reached her ears. She understood that Izumi was worried. Who wouldn’t be? What she was less sure about was that she had chosen to channel that worry by experimenting. Frankly, she was a little worried about the experiment as well. She didn’t understand the whole thing but the words “railgun” and “high levels of electricity” certainly raised an eyebrow when her daughter had asked permission though Inko was beginning to regret that, three explosions later.

Sitting in her temporary bunker, Izumi took notes on what went wrong this time. She knew her mom thought she was worried about the exam, and she was she was also fairly certain that she hadn’t done enough to pass, not with people like Kacchan being there. What she was mostly worried about, though, was Himiko. Sure they were chatting occasionally on the phone, and sure Himiko had assured her that she was eating enough, but there was always that little voice though that constantly had her checking the news app for Mustafu, Always the worry that she would open it one day, and hear that her crush, first love friend was dead gone. Always the relief when there was nothing. (apart from All Might being amazing and Kamui Woods dammit, Himiko still had her sweater doing something with his wood that gave her ideas.) She hoped she’d passed, that all three of them had, really. At least she was able to text that cutie Uraraka-san. Texting her about their mutual friend and their shared worry over her safety really made it easier to bear. It didn’t hurt that she was a supremely nice girl to talk to, sharing all kinds of stories about Mie that made it seem far closer than the 30 miles it was. They would have met up, but it was hard to find time with how busy they both were, the end of the school year and graduation fast approaching.

A few people were looking at her askance as she skipped her way from the station. She happily ignored them though, so intent was she on licking the delicious blood on her hand. She hadn’t meant to break his nose when he started harassing her on the train, but when opportunity knocks, and all that. Besides, served him right for trying to look up her skirt. Just cause she forgot to change out of the maid uniform when she left on her last day does not make it okay. She was just so excited to be seeing her crush first love friend after a week of only being able to talk via text that she had rushed to the station! By the time she realized she was still wearing the black midi skirt maid outfit, complete with orange cat ears on a frilly hair band, and swishy orange striped tail, she was already on the train and well on her way to Nara. She’d just have to change when she got there, that’s all. Besides, she looked so cute, surely Izumi would love to see her in it.

“It’s hard to say what’s worse, waitin’ for results or the fact that Himiko hasn’t texted me for the past two days.” Izumi muttered as she prepared a pot of sencha. “On the one hand, they say no news is good news, but thas hard advice to take when-” She was shaken from her musings by two things; the timer for her tea going off, and the doorbell. Carefully pouring the tea into a separate cozy covered pot to stop it steeping, she made her way to the front. Her steps quickened as she spotted a yellow blob of hair through the frosted glass, her heart pounding inside her chest please please let it be her as she threw open the door.

“Himiko-chan ah was so- what on earth ahre y’ wearin’?” She had been thoroughly derailed by the unexpected sight of her crush first love best friend standing there, duffel bag in hand, in full orange cat girl outfit, complete with lacy choker and bell. She could feel her face flushing as she continued to stare. Her friend looked criminally cute in that getup and it was making her all hot under the collar.

Himiko for her part just laughed, dropping the duffel bag in favour of throwing her arms around the bright red girl.

“It’s super cute right? I missed you too, Izuchan. I would have kept texting you but my prepaid phone plan ran out the other day and I needed the money for the train.” Himiko stepped back, beaming as she looked her over, appreciating the sight of Izumi after so long not seeing her. …even if she was wearing a t-shirt that said ‘sleep shirt’ over a pair of soft looking pajama bottoms and an apron.

Izumi shook her head, smiling back. “Let's get y’ all squared away, and no running away this time missy! Yer stayin’ here till we move for school. Ah just made tea ifin you’d like a cup.” Both girls entered the house, happier than they’d been for weeks.

“Breathe in for eight, breathe out for four, breathe in for eight, breathe out for four.” Repeating the mantra to herself as she followed those instructions. Ochako no longer felt that she was on the verge of a panic attack as she stared at the innocuous red envelope sitting before her. She had retreated to her room as soon as it had arrived, too nervous about what it might say to open it in front of her parents. She slapped her face a bit, grabbing it. No use worrying herself to death. She just had to open it and face the music that she had failed and Yagi-shishou would be so disappointed and demand OFA back and- She shook her head vigorously, tearing open the letter and dumping out the contents onto her desk. Including… a small metal cylinder, She looked over curiously, before letting out a small shriek as a holo screen was projected.

“ BOOYA! I’m here as a projection!”

Izumi stared open-mouthed at the projected image of All Might. Their reunion over tea, which Himiko had declared ‘very tea-like’, much to Izumi’s consternation, had been interrupted by Inko flying in holding both letters. After a round of tearful hugging where Himiko was told in no uncertain terms that she would be staying and that she was always welcome in their house, Izumi and her had retreated to the bedrooms, too nervous about what they might say to open them in front of Inko, let alone each other. After building up the courage to open the letter at all, and accidentally sending papers flying everywhere in her haste (perhaps grabbing opposite ends of the envelope wasn’t the smartest idea), she was now wondering if this letter was from UA at all.

“Young Midoriya, I must say, we were quite impressed with your written exam , n ot to mention the ambition of wanting to attend support classes as well ! My hat’s off to you, young lady.”

Izumi’s mouth was going a mile a minute, too fast for anyone who might be listening to catch anything apart from “But All Might doesn’t wear hats!” at the very end as All Might continued.

Himiko wasn’t sure what to think, given her… upbringing. She had never had that much exposure to the number one hero. She was obliquely aware that he was the ‘Greatest Hero of All Time’, if Izumi were to be believed, but other than that, she had never really thought about him. Her parents the Togas, had never approved of heroics as a career, and she herself hadn’t ever thought of doing it till Izumi brought it up. Either way, she should probably pay attention.

“Young Toga,” She winced at that, making a mental note to update her records as soon as possible. “Please be sure to watch this all the way through, as we have some information to share after we go through your results.”

“My apologies, young lady. The reason I couldn’t contact you this week was because I had a tremendously large amount of paperwork to finish. You see, you’re looking at the newest UA faculty member!” A peace sign flashed at the camera as he smiled.

Ochako didn’t think she could be more shocked. Her mentor, teaching?! At UA, no less! She had to get in now. She tuned back in just to catch Yagi-shishou arguing with someone gesturing from off screen.

“Hmm, what’s that? Who’s showboating? Oh, sorry, I’ll wrap it up, but I have to tell her something first.” The hand was spinning in a ‘Hurry it up’ kind of fashion. “Wait, I have to do how many of these things?” Yagi-shishou sighed in a very put upon fashion. “Right, so, moving on. You did fairly well on the written exam. I imagine what you really want to know is how you did on the practical.” The screen shifted to shots of her letting gravity take care of bot after bot. Ochako blushed at the almost feral smile on her face. “You made very good use of Zero Gravity, earning yourself a respectable 28 points. However, I’m sorry to say that that’s just barely not enough to pass, I’m afraid, putting you in 42^nd place.” Ochako felt tears gather in her eyes. Frustration and self recrimination filled her head as she clenched her fists. After all she had done, ten months of hell, all for nothing. She couldn’t imagine how disappointed Yagi-shishou was in her, not to mention her parents. Her head bowed in shame.

“Ah knew it… Ah’m a failure.”

“Fortunately.” She felt like she was going to get whiplash as she jerked her head up to stare at the once again smiling visage of her master. “There were other factors. Before we get to that, I have another surprise. A short clip for your viewing pleasure.”

“Your written exam was at the higher end of the 99 ^th percentile , m aking you a shoe in for General Studies. In addition, you definitely impressed at the supplemental support exam and Power Loader would be delighted to have you as a student full time if you so cho ose . Naturally, for heroics. we need to look at your practical exam.” Here All Might turned to another screen in the back, the view changing to what was on it. Showing a montage of her at the exam. Izumi blushed at the almost feral smile on her face as she tore through the robots. “As you can see, you made exceptional use of your quirk. In a somewhat unorthodox fashion , h andily earning you 36 Combat Points. Just barely earning you a place at our conservatory and placing near the bottom of accepted applications.” Izumi felt her heart swell, she had barely done it, she was going to UA. Only for All Might’s next words to almost give her a heart attack.

“If, however, that were all.”

“To start, while your written results were a little low, I’m happy to say that you passed, if only just. So I hope to hear about you studying hard at school, Young Himiko.” Said girl pouted as projection Might went on. “As for your practical exam, check out the second screen!” Short clips played of her dancing and stabbing her way through the robots. A feral smile on her face that the current time Himiko mimicked as she watched. “Unfortunately,” Himiko’s smile dropped with her stomach, eyes widening, “whilst a score of 30 is very impressive, we had an exemplary group this year, and it unfortunately put you in 41^st place, not enough to pass.” Himiko could feel the start of a panic attack coming. All that, living on the streets, worrying Izumi and Mamadoriya Midoriya-san, for nothing. “If we didn’t take other things into consideration.”

“OH COME ON!” Himiko didn’t think her heart could take this many swings from panic to excitement.

Ochako was shocked to see Himiko knocking on the teachers lounge door. “While you were getting checked out, this little lady came by to see us. Why, you’ll have to stay tuned to find out.”

“Um.” On screen Himiko seemed nervous, talking to Present Mic now. “You know that really cute girl with the blush and the brown floaty hair? The one with the super cute quirk that hurt her!” Ochako felt she might self combust, she was blushing so hard. “I was wondering. Would it be possible to give her some of my points? She would have had a better score if she hadn’t had to save me. She saved me and it would be so uncute if she didn’t pass because of it. So it’d be super cute if you gave her some of my points. Please!”

“You see Young Uraraka, more than your quirk, more than anything else. It is your actions that inspire others. That’s why I am Here. You see, the Practical Exam was not graded on combat alone.”

“Take another look at the screen.” This time Izumi was surprised to see it showing all the moments where she had helped someone. A shouted warning, taking a shot on her stronger defensive equipment. Shoving someone out of the way. Ending with the climactic moment when she saved that girl and destroyed the zero pointer, making her blush.

More blushing was happening in the other bedroom as Himiko was treated to a montage of her doing the same. Small acts that helped the other applicants out of danger. Ending with the dramatic, and embarrassing, shot of her crashing into Ochako nude. Sending them both into a gentler fall.

“How could a Hero Course reject someone who is committed to saving others, no matter the consequences to herself?” Seriously, how had she not immolated herself at this point? The montage of her pulling people out of the path of robots or floating debris off of them was bad enough, but it just had to end with the, somewhat frightening, shot of her absolutely destroying her limbs to save Himiko. The glowing eyes and weird light bending singularity giving her an almost otherworldly appearance. “After all, that is what makes a Hero, and that’s what my Alma Mater is all about. Training those who would risk their lives for the greater good. For this reason, we have Heroism Points, awarded by a panel of judges for Heroic acts beyond just fighting villains.”

“Uraraka Ochako, 50 Heroism Points. Tied for first at 78 Points.

“Midoriya Izumi, 42 Heroism Points. Tied for first at 78 Points.”

“Toga Himiko, 48 Heroism Points. Tied for first at 78 Points.”

“Welcome, Young Lady, to the Hero Academia.”

Chapter Text

The month before the beginning of term marked a turning point for all three girls. Paperwork, final and makeup exams, court appearances, paperwork, apartment hunting, graduations, packing, moving, not to mention piles of paperwork.

Himiko held the results of one such pile in her hands as she swayed slightly with the movement of the train. She stared at it as if it was a lifeline. Her eyes never strayed, almost fearful that it would disappear the moment it left her sight. The Despised Female Child 卑身子 that had hung around her neck like a millstone, weighing her down and choking the life out of her, was gone through the selfless kindness of one beautiful young woman who happened to find the girl beneath the mask and reach out a hand. Her vision grew blurry and Izumi held her as she buried her face into her new ID and sobbed, free of the last of her parents' influence.

The tears ran out as they arrived at the station, back home at the Midoriya’s. She reverently placed her ID in a place of pride on the bedside table. She returned to her tasks with renewed vigor, though she looked occasionally at the plastic card propped against the lamp.

The photo of the Beautiful Crimson Flower 緋美花 proudly smiled out to the world, fangs on full display.

They had moved into their new home almost before they knew it. Living with Izumi was wonderful , and they quickly established a routine of prepping for UA, where their workout clothes were more than a little mutually distracting , phone calls with Ochako, yet more paperwork, and chores.

Himiko, though she had been forced to take cooking classes, wasn’t all that good at simple foods, and so had quickly been shunted to prep where her knife handling was on full display (and only occasionally terrified Izumi). Meanwhile Izumi was a disaster when it came to organization and cleaning, usually stopping in the middle to write something down in one of her mysterious and ever-present notebooks, often accompanied by a storm of muttering. Meaning that Himiko had taken over the lion’s share of cleaning (though there was something more fulfilling about it than there had been when she was doing it for the Toga’s). The routine was almost like being married comfortable. Lulled them into a lazy few days, until the phone call.

Ochako had been having an alright month, all things considered. Sure, she missed her new friends, making her acutely aware of how lonely she had been before meeting them, but she had reconnected with Yagi-shishou after the radio silence between the exam and getting her results. She smiled softly, remembering how proud he had looked as he had embraced her. Though this was tempered by the reminder of his… less than stellar advice on wrangling One For All. Her fingers twitched at remembered pain. Shaking her head, and marveling at how much lighter it was now, she continued unpacking her few kitchen items, stepping back with a satisfied sigh as she surveyed her new domain, humble though it may be.

...Now what?

She frowned, nose wrinkled and brows furrowed, hand holding her chin in an L shape. She’d already eaten for the day, and she’d just finished unpacking. Her eyes lit up as her face opened, a light-bulb flashing into existence in her mind as she snapped her fingers. She could call her crushes friends. See if they also were finished unpacking, or if they needed help! Reaching into her purse she pulled out her (new) phone, it’s bright yellow colour (the only reason she was able to talk Yagi-shishou down from the most expensive smartphone on the market) always managed to make her smile. The bottom snapped out, giving it an appearance not too dissimilar from a banana as she hit the speed dial.

Izumi severely questioned her decision making at times. It seemed like such a good idea at first; Himiko needed to go to UA for a physical, and Ochako had called to hang out. Why not combine them? That was before she realized that it meant an hour or so of her, on her own, with one of the most adorable girls she’d ever met.

Things had started well enough. Izumi had decided to wear a simple purple maxi skirt decorated with lavender flowers along the hem and a simple green hoodie. Walking to meet Ochako at the station with Himiko, who seemed determined to keep her legs unencumbered and was wearing a much shorter skirt and stockings paired with a dark brown coat and red scarf, had been nice, even if she had to endure Himiko teasing her about her blush, and even if the blush was made worse by Himiko grabbing her hand like a girlfriend to pull her along.

That all changed when they spotted Ochako at the station. Izumi and Himiko had been unable to speak for a moment. (Izumi for far longer than Himiko, it must be said)

Seeing her outside of a school uniform or workout clothes was certainly an eye opening experience. She wore a long black skirt, presumably to ward off the cold, decorated with pixelated purple flames along the hem, heavy dark boots with many straps, a very worn, black hoodie with The Star Tarot card on the front and a pair of pins Izumi thought looked familiar. Two rectangles of five bars, one with blue, pink, and white in a bilaterally symmetrical pattern and another with dark orange, light orange, white, pink, and rose. In hands clad in artist’s gloves she carried a dark parasol that would have been more appropriate for the height of summer, and wore striking black eye makeup and blood red lipstick that nearly had Himiko biting her own. Most shocking of all, however, would have to be her new haircut. She still had the twin locks framing her face, but the rest was all new. A very flattering undercut leaving longer hair atop her scalp and pulled back into a short ponytail; when she saw them and her whole face lit up with her smile, both girls were convinced they were about to go blind.

Upon recovering, Himiko had been the one to ask about the new haircut. (Izumi was still a stuttering flushing mess and had barely squeaked out a hello)

“Well you see,” Ochako had explained, bashfully rubbing the back of her head just under the small ponytail. Her parasol twirled in a nervous habit and perpetually rosy cheeks darkened as she looked bashfully to the side. “I figured that, since we’re going to be heroes now, that I should shorten it to keep villains from grabbing it.” under her breath she had added, “besides I’ve always wanted a lesbian haircut.”

Izumi, upon recovering more, awkwardly stuttered out compliments at a rapid pace. Himiko giggled, and grabbed both their hands (which made Ochako blush nearly as hard as Izumi) and dragged them both to the train, egging on Izumi and giving her own stream of compliments on the gravity girl’s new look. They split up at the gates of UA, Himiko blew a kiss and waved as she left, which left both girls looking like they could have steam coming out of their ears.

Izumi blushed as she snuck another glance at her friend. It was almost unfair how adorable Uraraka-san was, especially with her new haircut.

Brunch had been awkward at first, with both still getting over Himiko’s flirting teasing, but soon conversation resumed as they sipped their drinks. Both had tea; barley for Ochako, iced chai for Izumi, and snacks. Izumi was a little worried at the way Uraraka-san was picking at her croissant… maybe she had just had a big breakfast, though?

“Ah mean Thirteen is great, don’ get me wrong.” Izumi was gesticulating wildly with an eclair. “But Ahll Might is the best, he’s… Ahll Might.”

Ochako giggled slightly, studiously ignoring how cute the other girl was when she was impassioned. “Yeah, All Might sure is… something alright.” She made sure not to bring up the time he almost got arrested when he had had her doing swimming training, and decided to hide behind some rocks to ‘avoid drawing attention’.

Ochako’s barely hidden smirk softened into a small smile, her gaze turning wistful. “It’s just that… while I think it’s totally cool the things he does, I’ve just always admired the heroes who are out there rescuing people over taking out villains. The way people would smile when they realized that they were safe. I’ve always wanted to make people smile like that.”

Izumi was lost in the moment, caught up in staring at the girl across from her, catching a glimpse of the Heroine she’d become. “...beautiful”

Ochako turned bright red as her head snapped to face the botanical heroine while she tried not to choke on thin air. “W-what did you jus-”

“Hey guys.” a surprisingly subdued voice interrupted before Izumi had to come up with some excuse. Never had Izumi been more thankful that she had met Toga Himiko than at that moment as she turned to face her.

“Hey Himiko, how-” Izumi took it back, the world seemed determined to make her die of internal hemorrhaging at this rate. Her face once more took on a colour more suited to road signs as she took in the changes to her first crush friend. She barely noticed Ochako’s own blush redoubling as her coughing fit got worse.

“So, I found out something at my examination...” Himiko sheepishly explained as she scratched at her neck.

Himiko severely questioned her decision making at times. It seemed like such a good idea at the time, Ochako had called to hang out, and she needed to go to UA for a physical. Why not combine them? That was before she realized that meant an hour or so of her, on her own, with one of the scariest women she’d ever met.

It had started well enough, some guy in a gas mask had met her at the gate and escorted her in. The trip to the infirmary had been uneventful (though there had been some worrying sounds of explosions in the distance). After being handed off to the little old nurse, who called herself Recovery Girl, she had then been subjected to the familiar (Apart from the abuse to her shins whenever she was a little rude) battery of tests familiar at least until the Toga’s had given up on her .

It was when the nurse started checking her eyes that things had gotten weird.

“Have you always had a tapetum lucidum?”

Himiko blinked at the seeming non sequitur. “Have I always had a what now?” She winced as her shins were once more abused by that cane.

“A tapetum lucidum. It’s a reflective layer behind the retina in many mammals, including cats, that improves night vision.”

Himiko blinked again. “Maybe? I could always see pretty well at night, but this is the first I’m hearing about this. Lucidum… thingy?”

Recovery Girl snorted at that and made a note in Himiko’s file. All whilst she muttered invectives under her breath about quack doctors and medical ethics. Himiko unconsciously leaned away from the increasingly blue air around the nurse. Just as she wondered if she should leave she was distracted by a sudden clamour in the hall. She jumped as two student’s burst through the door calling for Recovery Girl. Himiko watched them curiously as they started explaining what happened. However she quickly lost track of what they said, too distracted by what she saw, despite a voice that sounded like them in the back of her head telling her she was a monster for it. She couldn’t help but be entranced by the wounds both students had. One with a heavily bleeding head-wound supporting the other with a broken wrist. A number of lacerations between them as she quickly grew entranced by the sight of all that red. Then, her eyes widened as Recovery Girl worked quickly and efficiently, bandaging the less serious wounds before giving them a kiss each to deal with the wrist and head-wound.

To Himiko, this was like that thing that Izumi said the other day, Cooper Niko Revelation? Well, she wasn’t sure who Niko was or what she revealed, but Himiko knew one thing for certain. She looked up at the sound of a cane as Recovery Girl walked over, speaking just as she opened her mouth to resume the check up.

“I want to heal people like you do.” She couldn’t help beaming brightly, still a little flushed from all the cute wounds, fanged grin on full display. “Well, not exactly like you do, cause I don’t have a kissing Quirk, but I want to be a Hero who helps make people better.”

Recovery Girl smiled as well. “That’s wonderful dearie, I’ll be sure to talk to your homeroom teacher about field medic classes. First, however, we need to talk about getting you some glasses.”

“...what?”

Later several students swore to their friends that they had heard an angry cat in the infirmary when they walked by.

Izumi (and, she distantly registered, Ochako) were still gaping at their mutual crush friend, both lost to the adorable figure that was an embarrassed Himiko with her hair down, and her golden cat eyes framed by sanguine cat's eye glasses. Himiko, for her part, was growing more and more flustered by her crushes continuing to stare without speaking. Eventually the silence got to be too much for her to bear.

“I look awful don’t I? I tried to pick the cutest pair but-” She didn’t get very far into her self defacing statement before being interrupted.

“No y’ look great-” Izumi started to exclaim.

“You look so cute-” Ochako said at the same time.

Both girls turned to look at each other, before turning back to their crush friend.

“We were just shocked, is ahll” Explained Izumi.

“You really do look great in those.” Ochako said with a firm nod.

Himiko was now beaming. “Aw, thanks you guys, I really ap-”

“Besides,” continued Ochako obliviously, hand rubbing the back of her head as she blushed anew. “I’ll be wearing my own more now that we’re going to U.A. Contacts are a bad idea in the field after all.”

Izumi’s head whipped around as Himiko’s eyes widened, shocked by what Ochako had said.

“Y-you need glasses too?” There was a nervous cast to her voice, as if Himiko wasn’t sure that what she heard was true.

Ochako was blushing harder now, staring at the ground as her hand continued to move. “Yeah, my parents think it’s cause ah was reading too many books in poor lighting. ah didn’t turn on my bedroom light, see, to save m-” Ochako interrupted herself, eyes widening. “A-anyway, I used the light from the street lamp outside, and strained my eyes too much.” She forced a laugh, finally turning to face them again, a guilty expression on her face as she remembered that her attempts to save money and electricity had ended up costing more in the long run, what with the cost of eye exams and glasses.

“...oh my god y’ must look adorable.” Izumi slapped her hand over her mouth, a high pitched keening filling the cafe terrace as Himiko, feeling like she was in a tennis match, whipped her head around to stare at her, Ochako doing the same.

“Ah don’t suppose there’s any way y’ both could forget ah said that, right?” The other girls shook their heads slowly. “Didn’ think so.” Izumi sighed as her head hit the table with a thunk, as a crown of gardenia and red lilies bloomed around her head.