"Eh? Nighteye? Who the hell is that?" Izu's eyes went wide and his mouth dropped. "He was All Might's sidekick! I've told you this before!" He complained.

Eh? Is that so? Well, it doesn't really matter. If he worked under All Might he can't be that useless.

We were in the lounge area of the dorms with most of our classmates, discussing these internships. "So are you going to work with Midnight again?" Ochako asked.

I leaned against the couch and closed my eyes. "Maybe. She's the only one who wanted me anyway, and it doesn't really count since I'm already her responsibility. I'm still on probation."

Kirishima's brows furrowed at that. "Eh? Still? But you have nothing to do with Stain."

I sighed, opening my eyes and looking ahead with a bored expression. "Try telling that to the authorities." While they're still weary of me, I only have to meet the officer a couple times a month thanks to Midnight, Aizawa, and the Principles efforts.

"I'll probably just not do the internships, I'm really not feeling it." I stated with a shrug.

"Although I don't think anyone should do them, it's not my decision. You'll have to pick someone Nozomi."

Huh? We all looked over to Aizawa who leaned against the wall lazily. "Sensei!" Kaminari exclaimed. When did he show up?

"Tokoyami, you've got an invitation for a work study from one of those real Pro's. It's frown Hawks, who works in Kyushu." He told our quiet classmate. At the mention of the Hero, Kaminari, Sero, and Sato were the first to express their amazement and disbelief.

"Hawks?!" Kaminari exclaimed excitedly. "Ranked third in the Hero Ranking?!" Sero added. Third huh? Must be really good at his job I guess.

The boys praised Tokoyami who accepted the request. "Very well. I'll give you the work study paperwork later. Let me know when you figure out when you'll be going to Kyushu. I'll authorize your absences for those days. Also Kirishima, Amajiki from the Big Three wants to see you. Also Hado wants to talk to Uraraka and Asui. And Nozomi, you have an offer from Kitsune."

At this my face twisted in disdain. She's a Hero who does undercover work. And she doesn't like me. She really hates my ties to Villains, and she was also in charge of me for a little while when I was in Primary School.

Kitsune is a Shapeshifter Hero. She can take on any form for brief moments of time. She's a long con kind of Hero, not a battle in the now kind. That's why she doesn't get much recognition. You don't want your enemies to know that you're an undercover Hero.

But if she's reaching out to me, a person she detests, she might need me. Which means she's onto something revolving around Kei.

Kei who is with the League of Villains. They have a hit on my friends. I can't let that slide.

"Alright, tell her I said yes." Now this surprised my classmates and even Aizawa, although he didn't show it as much. "Who's Kitsune?" Mina asked with a tilt of her head.

The others seemed just as confused, but Izu was staring at me with furrowed brows. "She's an Undercover Hero. She infiltrates gangs and Villain groups."

Of course he knew of her. And he's confused why she asked me and not Toru, the girl no one can see.

I stood up and yawned. "I'm going to take a bath then go to bed, night." I headed off, leaving before they discussed their internships further. I wasn't really in the mood to take part in their discussion and I wanted to ask Midnight if she knew of any assignment Kitsune is on.

If she knew anything on Kei, she should have told me. The two were classmates and good friends back in the day. Their friendship is a little strained though.

Because of me actually.

While Midnight took pity on me and wanted to help me get on a good path, Kitsune hated me and resented my blood.

She's set on me being just like all the other Villains.

The two aren't really happy with the other. But twenty years of friendship can't break that easily. So she must have spoken with her. So why hasn't she told me anything?

As soon as I made it to my room, I pulled out my phone and dialed her up. She picked up on the third ring. "Oh, Kiri! You don't call me often. What's up?" She asked.

She's in a good mood today. "The Witch wants me to intern with her." I told her flatly.

Of course she was quiet, probably thinking about who I was talking about. But there aren't many women I call 'Witch' nowadays.

"Kitsune?!"

There she goes, she figured it out.

"What-but-why? Oh no she doesn't. No, no, we told her no. You said no, right?" So she does have an idea why.

"Actually I said yes. So. What's she onto, Nemuri." Very rarely do I ever call her by her given name. But when I do, it means business.

She sighed from the other end of the line. "You know we've been trying to get them, Kiri. We've been on the case for years. Reina's been dedicated to it for years." I knew this. She hates them the most.

Well, after me at least. "So is she on to them?"

The other line went silent for a minute. "She spotted Claude. He's back in Japan."

My breath caught in my throat and my phone nearly dropped from my hand. My blood went cold. "When?" I questioned her quietly. "Kiri-"

"When?!" I shouted, feeling my aura flare slightly. "Two weeks ago." She admitted.

During the License Exam, huh? "She only spotted him once, at his old house, but she hasn't seen him since. So she's been trying to find Kei. Ever since he joined the League, he's become easier to find, but it's never very long. She wanted to have you study under her to help find him faster. I told her not to though."

I sighed and fell onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. "So I'd be seeing Kei sooner, but not him? Right?" If there's even the slightest possibility of seeing him, I won't go.

I won't.

"No, you won't see him, I promise you that." Her words were harsh, but not towards me. "But Kei . . . if you take it, you probably will see him again."

As long as it's Kei, then I don't mind. He keeps on popping up everywhere recently, so I'm not bothered as much. I'd prefer it if I never saw him again though. But that won't happen. He knows about the boys.

"Kiri, I'm against you going to intern for her. But I do understand that you have your own reasons. Just . . . be careful. Reina is a good girl, but when it comes to Claude and his organization, she doesn't always play by the rules. Do not let her use you dangerously."

I can't guarantee that. But I don't intend to get caught up in that organization. I honestly prefer the League. "I'll try. I gotta go. Bye." She said a quick bye and I hung up.

I'm cold.

I turned onto my side and grabbed my blanket, covering myself with it. I'm tired. I'll take a bath in the morning. I'm too tired to do it now. Luckily my curtains blocked out the setting sun.

I gripped my sheets tightly and closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. "I think . . . my time's running out." I whispered to myself.

I glanced over at my desk and the photos and music box on it. The picture of the two of them smiling looked at me, but instead of offering me hope, it acted more like a reminder.

A reminder that the deadline is coming up. And this life I've built is about to come to an end.

"Izuku. Katsuki."

~

It was early morning, and I finished packing my duffle bag. About a week's worth of clothes and my Hero Gear. I made sure to stash a good amount of wires in, just in case. Of course there were others hidden in the clothes I wear and in my hair.

Today I'm supposed to meet Kitsune, and the train ride is going to be at least an hour. Besides, I want to leave before anyone gets up.

I'm not in the mood to talk with anyone. At least with Kitsune it's business. And hostility, but mostly business.

Once everything was packed I slung the bag over my shoulder and headed out. Before I could leave though, Aizawa stopped me. "What's up, Sensei?" I asked, confused by his appearance.

He was staring down at me with his usual tired eyes, the bags under them noticeable on his pale skin. He's always tired, he never really shows his emotions, and he's really brutal at times. But he's a good person.

Always looking out for us and worrying about our well being. He's actually rather pleasant, I can see why mom talked so highly of him.

Not too sure why on Present Mic though.

"You know, I understand why you don't wanna say bye to your classmates, but I'm your teacher and I'm responsible for you and your intern studies. You need to keep me updated." He said lazily with his hands shoved in his pockets.

"What's to say? Today's the day I'm heading out." I shrugged. He's such a busybody, it's nice, but also annoying. "Make sure not to overdo it."

I closed my eyes, walking past him. "Yes, yes."

Overdoing it? Psh, who does he take me for? If I don't want to do something, I won't. That's why my grades in Heroics suck.

Although recently I've been partaking in classes so my grades have gone up.

I quickly made my way out and to the station, hopping on board. As I settled into my seat I opened my phone, looking through old messages.

I've been keeping contact with the underground, the small time Villains, ever since the whole Iida and Stain thing. Now I've been using them to track Kei.

It's been hit and miss since no one wants to risk invoking his wrath, but I'm also a force to reckon with.

However if he's here, there's no way Kei hasn't met up with him. Faithful little dog that he is.

I've called a few people, but none have seen Kei for a while or the other one. And I'd know if they were lying because Claude is the most terrifying man to walk on Japan's soil.

That's a fact.

They'd be too terrified and lie, but it would show. Then again he wouldn't associate with low beings, that's what Kei and I were for.

He left the country to look for her, but he's back. Does he know where she is?

No, that's impossible. Kazuya made sure to hide her where he'd never look. He probably couldn't find her so he returned to get information from Kei. I.E. through me.

No doubt he's aware I'm attending U.A., but he can't simply come crashing in. And we have amazing security. Of course they could do what the League did during USJ.

If Kei's a part of the League, he would have access to their warp, Kurogiri. So why hasn't he come for me yet?

Is he being careful?

Lost in my train of thoughts, I made it to my station in no time. As I exited the train, there she was.

Kitsune wasn't wearing her Hero gear for a change. She wore simple skinny jeans and a large, stylish, blouse tucked into her pants and black heel boots. Her orangish brown hair is up in a ponytail, leaving some to frame her face. Her caramel still seemed to glow in the fluorescent light, and her golden eyes were narrowed on me.

Kitsune is really an easy going woman who can be serious when she needs to be. She's genuinely nice to people, and she has a righteous sense of justice.

But I'm the only person who's the exception.

Aside from the Villains, I'm the only one who doesn't get her easygoing attitude. "You're late." She stated, her hand crossed over her chest.

No I'm not. "I had to check in with my teacher before leaving." I answered instead.

She made a humming noise before turning and walking off. Resisting the urge to make a sarcastic remark, I quickly followed after her.

She led me out of the station and to her dark blue car. I tossed my bag in the back and took the passenger seat. The moment my seatbelt clicked she took off, staring at the road ahead.

"Midnight called. Told me to take it easy on you. I won't." She simply stated. I nodded, looking out my window as the building passed by. "You don't need to. We're looking for Kei, right? I have no problem helping with that."

She didn't say anything. Silence fell over the car but I didn't mind, just simply looked out the window.

If I can help take get them, even a little bit, I'll do anything. Claude is a monster and he needs to be taken down.
The only way to do that will be through Kei. I can handle that much.

"Have you looked into the Yakuza groups that are still running?" I asked. Kitsune gavea curt nod, turning onto a business street. "Yeah. I've narrowed it down to the Abegawa Tenchu Kai or the Shie Hassaikai."

I see. Most of the Yakuza are extinct because they're always under close investigation. Apparently during the Quirkless time in life they had a bigger impact and were viable threats. However now they're not really much.

Organized Crime Syndicates are basically nothing. That's why he often bullies and uses them like lowly pawns. They're his favorite because they know the rules, they don't snitch, they do everything quietly, and nobody cares if they live or die.

Unfortunately he's used a few groups too much and that led to their demise.

There aren't that many left nowadays, so it's a good thing she's already done this. We soon made it to her Hero building and we headed to her office.

There were a few sidekicks doing work at their respective guests, only looking at us curiously for a moment before going back to work. I imagine she doesn't take many interns.

As soon as we stepped into her private office I winced.

Her walls are plastered with photos of Claude, Kei, Hitomi, and a few other familiar faces. Locations, dates, notes were posted around and strings connected things together.

This is years worth of data and hard work. But there was one photo that made my heart hurt the most. It was still in pristine condition. It was a picture of a younger Midnight, Kitsune, and another woman in the U.A. uniform.

The woman was beautiful, she had long black hair and brilliant blue eyes. She stood in the middle and all three were giving a 'peace sign' to the camera.

Yeah. That's the reason why Kitsune became what she is today. Because Claude took away her Senpai and ruined her life.

That's why I don't fight back with her. I pity her. Look at this room. It's become a shrine of her obsession with Claude. Her anger and torment is so palpable it's saddening. So many years of her life have been wasted by the hatred that plagues her heart.

Of the mess are newspaper clippings of murders, corruption, and man made disasters that she's linked to him and his organization.

There are even a couple photos of me. One of which is connected to one of a photo of Stain in handcuffs.

So she thought I had gone to the other side? Well she was always so sure I would. That instance would have proven her theory correct.

If it was true. Just because we share the same ideals doesn't mean we share the same way to express them.

He killed Heroes.

I just ignored them.

No one really believes me though. Heroes, police, random civilians, they all think I'll become just like him. Everyone expects me to become a Villain. It's getting really annoying in all honesty.

People have never really expected anything out of me, but the fact that they're all so sure I'll go down the wrong path is really aggravating. What the hell man?

"Despite everything, you do have some similarities to Kanako-Senpai." Kitsune's voice sounded melancholy, which took me off guard.

I turned away from the picture to see she was staring at the photo with sad golden eyes. No matter who I meet, those who've come across her always have that look.

Because she touched the hearts of everyone she met. Be it Midnight, Kitsune, Aizawa, she had wormed her way into their hearts.

She and Kitsune interned with the same Hero, so she's always had great respect for her.

Yet despite being so loved by everyone around her, she fell at his hands and her existence became pitiful.

Kitsune stripped of her clothes and put on her Hero Costume. It was a skintight body suit, orange, white, and with a skirt like cape to resemble a tail. With fox ears clipped into her hair and a mask that only covers her eyes. This way she looks just like her name.

It's specially made so when she transforms into objects or other people, her clothes will remain. "You change too, you can't be wearing your uniform. We're going downtown. Way downtown." So the shady parts where the underground is, huh?

I tossed my bag onto a small couch on the other side of the room and dug through it, pulling out a pair of white shorts, fishnets, and a black band t-shirt.

Kacchan bought this for me last year on my birthday. I've said it once, I'll say it again. Kids got style.

Stripping, I quickly changed into the more casual attire, shoving my feet in some black boots. Kitsune's body began to morph before taking the form of a teenage girl with half her head shaved and long blue hair in the other part. She wore ripped skinny jeans with fishnets underneath and a horror t-shirt. Her septum is pierced and she wore thick eyeliner.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Is that how you imagine my friends?" I mean it's a good look, but kind of predictable. For me at least.

She narrowed her now heterochromia eyes at me. "Shut up. Let's go."

Whatever. That's not my problem, besides, she can't go by herself. So with a shrug we headed out on foot.

Downtown is where you can find all the bars and clubs which are more often than not, filled with scumbags.

Not everyone of course, but there's nothing they enjoy more than getting all liquored up. Besides, I do know a few people in this part of the city, and one of them frequents a club. He should have something, if not on my brother, then on the Yakuza.

I glanced at the transformed Kitsune. Taking a High School student to dig up dirt on the Yakuza, I imagine that's not something a Hero should do with an intern. Not to mention we didn't inform any of her sidekicks or workers that we left.

Actually, they didn't even seem to notice us, probably her doing too. She'll get in a lot of trouble if anyone figures it out. But she's getting results, so I'll go along.

~

Music filled the empty club. It's still early in the day, so no one was inside, but the music played nonetheless. It's dark inside with the exception of the blue and purple lights that gave us a decent visual.

Despite it being empty of customers, there was a couple of men in tacky suits at the bar, speaking with the bartender.

The one in the center looks to be in charge, as the seats on either side of him are empty and the other men seem to be on guard.

It's not Giran, but he looks like he knows a thing or two.

We approached him before taking a seat on either side of him. Kitsune tossed a fake ID to the bartender. While she's 31, she can't exactly have her real ID for when she's undercover. So she has many different ones. Apparently one for this creation as well.

"Makers on the rocks." The bartender looked over at the man quickly before making the drink.

A burly guy who was sitting on my other side looked at me carefully. "No kids allowed. Get out." I ignored him and stared at the bartender. "Patron. Chilled."

The bartender looked at me wearily before shaking his head. "You have to be twenty years or older to drink." I didn't look away, just kept staring at him. "Patron, chilled." I repeated.

The man beside me grabbed my shoulder roughly and I quickly snatched his wrist and a part of my hair hardened and turned into a blade, pressing against his throat.

"I suggest you don't touch me. And I expect my tequila by the time I turn around." I said a little louder.

The man I held hostage glared at me dangerously, but my blade pressed into his neck harder, drawing blood. The sounds of pouring and shaking sounded and I looked over to see a shot sliding my way.

The guy in the tacky suit laughed, amusement clear in his dull eyes.

He seems to be in his forties, deep wrinkles on his forehead and the corners of his mouth. His hair is shock white and slicked down, it kind of smells like dye. On his fingers are some gaudy rings and an expensive looking watch. His suit jacket is left open to reveal a magenta shirt that unbuttoned at the top to reveal a tattoo on his chest.

"Well now, aren't you a feisty young thing?" I didn't say anything, just released the man and took the shot. The familiar liquid burned at my throat, but it quickly warmed my insides.

This isn't the first time I've had alcohol, and it certainly won't be the last. I don't like to drink too much though because it messes with my senses.

Kitsune giggled and leaned on the bar, playing with her near empty glass. "Don't mind her, she doesn't take well to authority." The man looked over at her, the amusement still in his eyes.

He leered at her a bit before a sly smirk made its way onto his face. "Understandably so. So what are you two ladies doing here at this time of day."

Her eyes glinted but she looked away, taking a long sip of her drink. "Hm, what is it, I wonder." She said thoughtfully. The man's sly smile remained as he watched her.

I glanced around discreetly, counting four known threats, not including him. But there could be more around here somewhere. And there are only two exits, four if you count the windows that are in the bathroom. A design familiar with this type of club. Only two of the men appear to be carrying guns, but they could all be carrying knives or other weapons.

"Awe don't be like that sweetheart. Tell me." He wrapped his arm around her slender shoulder and brought her closer to him.

She looked at him briefly before taking another sip. "I'm looking for someone, I thought he'd be here. But maybe you could help me?" She batted her lashes and leaned more into him.

He seemed to be enjoying it. "Maybe I can. But it'll cost you. Who are you looking for?"

Ever so quickly I slammed my elbow into the throat of the man next to me, catching him off guard as he let out a strangled noise before crumpling to the ground.

I tore out three blades from my hair, throwing two at the man across the way and one at the one beside Kitsune.

They struck the legs and arm of them and they fell. The last one went to pull out his gun but I snapped my wrist towards him and the wire wrapped around his arm and I pulled him forwards, leaping off my chair and slamming my knee into his face. Blood gushed from his mouth and I lunged back at the man at the bar, pulling a knife out and pressing it against his throat as I stood behind him.

He had moved his hand up a bit, off of Kitsune who had taken his gun and pointed it at the man on the floor, whose leg is bleeding.

He pulled out his weapon, but because we had taken the boss hostage, he couldn't do anything about it.

The bartender stood there with wide eyes as he tried to comprehend what had happened.

Kitsune smirked maliciously at the man, eyeing him like the prey he had become. "Well now, I need to know which gang has been in contact with Nozomi Kei. I do hope you'll be able to help." I dug the knife harshly, feeling it dig into his skin.

He was sweating a bit but I could feel his resistance. "You're making a big mistake." He growled.

She scoffed, tilting her head to the side. "Am I now?"

The mans shoulder began to move as laughter rumbled in his throat. "Yeah. You are." His voice got deeper and Kitsune's eyes widened. "Nozomi!"

But it was too late.

Something sharp hit the back of my neck, and something in my body just snapped. Something felt way off.

The knife that I had returned to strands of hair and a gun went off.