Chapter Text
Author's Note at the bottom.
Regular Text
Character Thoughts
The sun was just starting to set as Izuku made his way back through UA's halls.
Hatsume really is excitable no matter the time of day. She didn't even have coffee today, but she still ran circles around me. I'm completely filthy and worn out. I promise this is the last time I give her a favor. Probably. Maybe. Oh, who am I kidding. She is not going to let me be. At least her gear is good… when it doesn't explode.
He dragged his feet along the floor, deep bags below his eyes.
At least, I can go home now. Mom's going to be making some nice Miso. Miso and a warm bed. Focus. Need to get home first.
He was brought out of his trance by the sounds of shouting to his left.
That doesn't sound good. I shouldn't, but
Longingly looking in the direction of his bags, he pivoted and headed towards the shouting.
"We still haven't found the traitor and it's been almost half the academic term," All Might nearly shouted at the two other teachers present, "It can't go on like this."
"All Might. Calm down. We still don't even know if there is a traitor yet." Aizawa grunted, eyes broadcasting his wariness over the given subject.
"But .."
"That is quite enough, All Might. Please, sit down." Nedzu tried to soothe All Might's nerves. All Might quickly deflated under his gaze and as he returned to his seat.
"I'm, I'm sorry sir." All Might responded, "My nerves have been a bit frayed as of late."
"I know that losing one for all permanently has left you in a bad state but I only ask that you try to be civil with us."
"Yes sir," All Might muttered, embarrassment clear on his face.
"Now have either of you noticed anything suspicious that you have not told me before?"
They both gave a definite no.
"Then we really don't have anything more to go off. But don't worry too much. I have a plan." Glee bleeding into the principal's voice. "I have everything ready by next week, and then we can put this whole thing behind us."
A slight chill went down their spines as Nedzu continued.
"Well, gentlemen, I will see you both tomorrow bright and early."
They gave their farewells just as Izuku rapidly backpedaled from the door, mind reeling from the information.
There is a traitor at UA?! Wait. I can hear them moving. I must leave right now!
Izuku bolted down the halls, quickly grabbing his things before fleeing the scene, mind too dulled to contemplate doing anything else but getting out of there as soon as possible.
He left deep ruts in the snow as he fled the building, breathing in the cool air and trying to calm down.
Okay. Okay. I need to calm down. Breath in. Breathe out. Okay, it's bad but I've dealt with worse.
His sprint slowed to a crawl as he gained distance from the source of his turmoil. Frantic breaths turned into low muttering as he walked to the train station more by instinct than paying attention.
The train was thankfully on time for once and the ride gave him time to mull over his turning thoughts.
Okay. President Nedzu thinks there's a traitor at UA. Does that mean a teacher? A student? The janitors? So little information.
His muttering grew louder as he continued but he was at least conscious enough to check his surroundings for eavesdroppers. He was alone.
His stop came quicker than he expected, he was barely able to make it out the doors before it started moving again.
The cool air felt nice on his skin, and the freshly fallen snow made for quite a beautiful scene as he made his way home, but Izuku was paying it little mind, glazed eyes barely seeing the sight in front of him.
I need to find out more before I do anything. There is no way there's a traitor at UA. All Might should have found them, not to mention Nedzu and the other teachers.
A figure rounded the corner in front of him, though he was too distracted to see them.
I can't do anything, and if it's true then it would explain so much. The break in, all those times we've been caught unaware. But who would it be? I have no idea where to even begin.
They got closer, with him still unaware of the person's presence.
All Might would be so ashamed of me if he knew I eavesdropped on them. I didn't mean to. It was an accident.
"Young man," the elderly man said, waving his hand in front of his eyes to get his attention.
I'm in so much trouble. I have to tell him. But how? Hey, All Might, I just so happened to hear UA's biggest secret. That won't…
"Young man," the man repeated, his elbow lightly nudging Izuku's shoulder.
"Um, what, yes? Hello?" Izuku stammered out.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but could you help me open my door?" the man replied while showing his arms full of bags. He then pointed his elbow to a door just to Izuku's right.
"Oh, right, of course. But wouldn't you want me to carry your bags instead?" His worry cleared after looking at how the bags were straining the old man's arms.
The old man smiled back before handing him the keys.
"No, no, I got enough juice left in this old frame to carry them myself. Besides, it's good exercise." He joked, looking down at the young man fussing over him.
Izuku didn't reply and the pair walked over to the door, with Izuku quickly opening it and respectively stepping aside. The old man walked past and Izuku heard the loud thunk of bags dropping on the floor.
"Here's your keys sir," Izuku said as he made to enter, only to abruptly stop as he viewed the interior. The entire house was completely covered in plastic sheets reminiscent of a clean room, and he felt a presence behind him.
"What?!" his cries got cut off as he was grabbed from behind, a slight prick felt on his neck.
Throwing caution to the wind, he smashed his fist into however held him, blowing him clean through the opposite wall, completely collapsing it on top of his assailant. The other one tried to close before a simple flick set him crashing to the floor.
He pivoted on the spot and ran at a full on sprint for the street, not once looking back at his downed opponents.
I need to get to safety now! That prick was probably a needle, and I have no idea what's in it! The hospital is four blocks away, so I might be quick enough…
As he tore through the street, he felt two shadows behind him, each rapidly gaining.
No. There's no guarantee of a hero being there. Too many people could get hurt. Think. Think.
The shadow wouldn't budge as he bobbed and weaved through multiple allies. In his haste, he accidently ran into a dead end. He realized his mistake too late as the shadows blocked the alleyway.
The only way out is up!
Pushing off the ground as hard as he dared, he shot into the air. Only, he didn't feel himself go as far as he should have, falling well short of the ledge he was aiming for.
Trying to recover, his foot slipped on the slick concrete and he plummeted back to the ground. Izuku fell with surprising force, pain lancing through his ankle as he landed.
No, no, no. I think my ankle is sprained.
He moved his foot around to access the injury, his eyes never once leaving the approaching figures.
Okay, not sprained, but I can't make it worse. Okay. Focus. They have me cornered, and I don't see another escape route.
"Kid, you're not getting away. Just make this easy so we can go home." the shadow to the left spoke, eyes betraying his annoyance.
Well, there is only one option left.
"If you don't we'll just have to take more, extreme, measures," the shadow continued before throwing him a phone which showed a feed of his house, with his mother in the kitchen. "Make the smart move kid."
No, no, I can't drag mom into this! Okay. Okay. Calm down. I just have to keep it together for a little longer.
"Okay," Izuku whispered, trying to sound defeated, bringing his hands up to show his submission.
The shadow approached, reaching for his hands while his partner stayed back, shuffling from one foot to the other.
"Now, you see, that wasn't that bad…" the shadow began turning his head for a moment as he approached. He never saw the kick coming before it was pulverizing his ribcage, sending him rocketing backwards. His surprised face was quickly obscured by the buildings he smashed through.
The other figure didn't seem at all bothered by the possibly grievous injury their partner just sustained. In fact, they squealed at the display doing a little dance, as their outside melted away.
"You're so cool Izu." Toga's voice rang out through the alley, excitement clear, "But I can't just let you get away."
Getting tired. Need to end this now.
Izuku exploded towards her, fist barely grazing her cheek as she slipped away. Toga hopping back a few paces to make distance.
"Come on, the sedative should be working now. Flowing through all your blood. Your delicious blood." Toga continued, predatory eyes meeting his rapidly clouding ones.
Izuku didn't respond and charged her once more, giving everything he had. Toga flowed like water around Izuku's assault, kicks and punches getting ever closer to landing a solid blow. But close wasn't good enough and he was rapidly tiring, barely remaining conscious through force of will.
Just a little closer. Just a little more!
He pushed her further and further into the alley, never once giving her room to breathe, never once letting up. Her playful smile twisted in surprise as her back hit the wall.
NOW!
A slight moment of fear flashed in her eyes, as the punch rained down on her, lightning crackling as the building shockwave tore at her hair.
The punch fully connected, shockwave shattering everything in its path.
Only, there was nobody there. Only shattered debris.
"You're so cool," Toga exclaimed, the sound coming from behind him.
"Though too slow. Don't worry though. Sensei said after he is done with you, I could have you all to myself. Isn't that just so great Izu?" Her hands drawing her signature knives as she once more closed the distance.
Eyes blurry and head pounding, Izuku made one last mad dash towards her, giving everything he had left into one final kick that was dodged effortlessly.
He barely made it back to the ground before finally collapsing, the long deep cuts running up his thighs ensuring this would be his final charge.
"Don't worry Izu. I'm gonna take good care of you." Toga grinned down at him, the last sight he saw before losing consciousness.
She got closer to his still form while licking the deep red blood staining her favorite knife.
"Oh, this is even better than I remember. Please, Izu, I need more," she whispered under her breath, with her knife licked completely clean. Her concentration was broken however when a shadow fell over her. "Oh, you're back and you missed all the good parts too. So fun. And tasty."
Dabi was limping back down the alley after getting himself out of the wreckage, the last building he'd gone through having completely gone up in flames.
"I was going to fucking kill that brat!" Dabi shouted, face pinched in fury while holding his ribs, with his flames already dancing in his palm.
"Sorry, sorry, Dabi but ya can't do that," Toga responded, voice cheerful but with a definite edge. "Shiggy wouldn't like it and we have so much to do together, just me and Izu."
Dabi continued to glare at her for a few more seconds before huffing and extinguishing his flames. "The kid will pay for breaking my ribs."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful. I wonder if his burning flesh smells as good as his blood," Toga exclaimed, practically vibrating on the spot. "Please, please, please let me be there when you do. It sounds so fun. Please."
Dabi paid her no mind as he went over to collect Izuku's limp form, trying and failing to not show discomfort as he lifted the limp body over his shoulder, agitating his ribs.
"Sure. Whatever. Let's get out of here."
"Kay, Kay." Toga sang, skipping alongside him as the pair made their way back to Spinner. Hopefully, he managed to actually get the van here in one piece this time. They were not taking the train. Again.