As I sat on my thin cot in my small, dark room hugging my knees to my chest I tried not to think too much about what Tomura might have planned for me today on the "mission" he'd mentioned when he'd showed up outside my cell last night. I hoped it was just scouting or something of the sort and that we wouldn't be harming anyone. Unfortunately for me, my wishes seldom came true.

I shifted on my mattress so that my head lay against the wall, staring up at the concrete ceiling. I decided to try and distract myself by attempting to guess who would be sent to come gather me for today.

I hadn't seen anyone in weeks, the exception being Spinner, who would sometimes bring me food if he remembered and "felt up to it". Other times when he was too lazy I went days with little to no food, light, or human interaction of any kind. That last part bothered me less as I'd never cared much for people in general- with a few exceptions- though that could be because I hadn't exactly been surrounded by the kindest of people growing up.

The particular neglect I'd been receiving of late reminded me that I'd become of less and less use to the LOV over time, because they used to take me on all of their little "missions". Not that I was at all nostalgic for the awful things that occurred because of my aiding them in their villainy, but I'd hoped that if they had come to the conclusion that I was no longer of any use to them that they might release me. However, as they had reminded me, even if I was to be released I wouldn't exactly have anywhere to go, no home to run back to, and unfortunately I realize that if the day came where I was rendered useless to them, their solution wouldn't exactly be to let me go anyway. It'd more likely be a little more... permanent.

I sighed, deciding to focus on a little bit of a brighter subject. Like how today I'd be finally seeing the sky again. I wondered if it had changed at all. I presumed not. The sky didn't really seem to change that often. As I pondered the fluctuating of the atmosphere I suddenly heard the sound of footsteps echoing down the corridor. I tilted my ear toward the sound to confirm, then I grunted and dusted myself off, sliding off the bed before stretching my legs.

Even if whatever I had to do today went against my moral code, at least- for a few hours- I'd have something to do away from this hell of boredom.

I focused in on the light, bouncy footsteps that rang through the hall, recognizing the familiar gait of a particular hormonal vampire immediately.

"(Y/NNNNNN)~" Toga's singsong voice caused me to grind my teeth, putting me on edge, "Time to go!!" When I didn't respond I could hear her audible pout as her skipping slowed and she neared my door. The key turned in it's lock and it opened with a painful groan. Toga switched on the light from outside, half blinding me, and her figure was suddenly illuminated against the doorway, arms swinging at her sides, hip pressed up against the doorframe, head leaned back. As I took in her form another switch was flipped, my forehead burned around my horn as what's left of my quirk attempted to take control and assess the girl in front of me. I dismissed it, not really caring what it had to say, and looked up at her. She grinned at me, and her brows scrunched up when I didn't return the gesture.

I crossed my arms and turned my head to the side, sweeping my long (h/c) hair over my shoulder and trying to avoid looking at her as she skipped her way toward me, taking my wrist in both of her hands.

"Oh don't be like that bestie!" She cried cheerfully, now much too close for comfort. I shifted away from her, backing toward the wall, "Come on~ The longer you stall the longer it will be until we get back to the others," She whispered in my ear, pinning me further against the wall, "and Jin doesn't like to be left alone for too long, the poor sensitive little baby." Her bottom lip stuck out.

"I'm sure Jin will be fine." I growled, trying to conjure up an image of Twice in my minds' eye. Her grin stretched at my tone.

"Are you jealous?!" she shrieked, tightening her grip on my wrist and bouncing from side to side between the balls of her feet, "don't worry, you're still my favorite BESTIE!!"

I winced at her enthusiasm and managed to grumble out a few words in-between violent attempts to regain possession of my arm.

"Can we just- get going already? I want- I want to get this over- with-" I muttered the last word as I was finally able to jerk my limb free of her hold and huff out a forceful breath.

I pushed her away and straightened the rags covering my body as best I could before preparing to follow Toga out the door.

Ever since she'd begun to gain more control over her quirk and was discharged from the hospital, Eri had been staying with me. I lived in a stuffy, cramped, two bedroom apartment a two minute walk from UA, and I would've guessed it would be hell for any little girl to have to live in. However, the kid continued to surprise me, and -as long as I brought her to UA every once in a while and those two idiots Mirio and Midoriya visited often- she seemed to always be smiling.

She was older now, but in my opinion eight years old was still too young to be left home alone every day, so when the new school year started in two weeks she'd be accompanying me to UA. Principal Nezu and I had worked out that she could stay in the teachers lounge during the school day and staff would take turns watching her. I would've suggested that Eri stay with me and just sit in on my classes -that way she could learn a thing or two as well- but as Nezu had made an executive decision that resulted in me being stuck with the same class of loud morons throughout their second year, too, I thought it best to keep her away from the classroom.

I slid my spatula underneath the last misshapen pancake and figured by it's splotchy color that it was done. I then eased the pancakes off of the frying pan and onto a clean plate, simultaneously dumping some confectioners sugar and maple syrup over them. Then I stepped back to admire my creation. It wasn't the prettiest breakfast I'd ever seen, but I'd never cooked before Eri started living with me, and she'd certainly developed a sweet tooth since Midoriya had introduced her to candy apples so to her it didn't really matter what it looked like. I just hoped it tasted good, Recovery Girl had told me that for a growing kid a big breakfast was the most important meal of the day. It sounded stupid and cheesy at the time, but I did want what was best for Eri so I guess I could try being a cook for a while.

I walked over to Eri's bedroom door and knocked softly,

"Breakfast is ready." I mumbled sleepily. It was still way to early to be awake. Mirio had promised Eri that he'd take her on patrols with him once he got settled into his new agency, and though I wasn't particularly fond of the idea, it meant that I'd get to take a nap while the kid was gone, and Mirio had called me last night- way too cheerily might I add- to tell me that he'd be carrying out is promise later today. I just had to keep my eyes open until then.

When I didn't hear a response I turned the handle and looked around the side of the door to see if she was still asleep. When I realized that she was sitting up I walked in and stood at the foot of her bed, drawing her attention away from the window. "You okay kid?" I grumbled, watching the faraway look in her eyes fade away as she focused in on me.

"Huh? Oh, yeah!" She smiled, "I just had the weirdest dream-" The vacant look in her large eyes returned as she returned to staring out the window. I would've left it at that, but she was acting a little weird and I had to be the adult. I sighed at sat next to her on the bed, awkwardly patting her head, parenting was tiring,

"Tell me about it."

Her cute little grin returned as she giggled underneath my hand. "Okay!" She folded her knees under her and looked up thoughtfully, " It started out kind of scary. I was back with the Shie Hassaikai, except it was before grandfather got sick," Translation, before the little girl sitting next to me was handed over to that abusive imbecile Overhaul. I nodded for her to continue, barely able to hide my scowl, "It was just like my other scary dreams, the- the ones about father and that day. Except this one was a little less fuzzy, and this time, when it reached the point where everyone gets scared of me and I'm left all alone in that dark place, there was a new person there. I- I don't remember their face exactly," She paused and scrunched up her nose, trying to recall, "but I think it was a girl. She- uh- she held me when everyone else seemed scared. And she said all these nice things to me," she paused again, recalling more, "and then later, when I was with Kai and he was hurting me, she was there too. He- he hurt her too, but she was still nice to me- wait, no. No, that wasn't part of the dream, I- I don't think-" Eri's eyes started to water and her face contorted in confusion. I wrapped an arm around her small figure and pulled her close, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Tell me about the girl." I prompted.

"Well she- she uh-" Suddenly Eri's eyes widened and she began crying uncontrollably, "You- you have to save her! Please, you have to save her!" The sudden outburst frightened me and I held her shoulders, concerned.

"Save who? Who do I have to save, Eri?"

"My sister! Please," She sobbed, "Save (y/n)!"

It had taken a while to calm Eri down, and when she finally stopped crying she'd fallen asleep in my lap. While she slept I called up Mirio and told him that I didn't think she'd be able to accompany him on his patrols. He'd seemed concerned and wanted to come over to check up on her, but I told him that I had it under control and I'd call him if I needed help.

When the kid woke up I managed to coax a little more information out of her before I feared she might start crying again if I continued to push her. I discovered that what Eri had been recalling that morning wasn't all a dream, and that instead, some of her suppressed memories had resurfaced, and so had memories of some girl who was still being held captive by villainy somewhere in the world. A girl who- it seemed- I'd have to figure out a way to save before ever seeing Eri's precious smile again.