TW: Slime villain incident, minor burn

Started re-writing July 8th 2022

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"Iruka is that you?"

"Ya, it is Dad," Iruka traversed further into the house. Shouta was in the kitchen looking as tho he had been cooking or maybe looking for something.

"You're home later than I am,"

"Ya, sorry." She wasn't a liar but maybe this was one of those times where lying would've been better. Would Shouta even be mad about something like this? It is technically vigilantism though. "I- um- I had to save someone today," It came out shakier than she would've liked.

"You weren't part of the incident by Miss Heartfilia's store were you?"

"No no. This was different. I had to take the back alley routes because of what happened there and wanted to be home in time to make dinner but then someone was almost getting raped and I couldn't just keep walking so I helped them get away and then I brought them to the station to make the report and then they wanted to hear about what happened from me and-" Iruka looked at Shouta who looked as impassive as ever. "Are you mad?" He sighed.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes?"

"Did you use your quirk?"

"A little? I kind of panicked and he didn't really have a weapon. not one in his hands at least and-" Iruka stopped when she felt a hand on her head.

"You did good kid." A hint of a smile on his face.

"What?"

"I'd ground you had you had any other option, as much as I wish you didn't have to." Iruka didn't let her confusion linger and merely nodded. "Now come on and help me with dinner. Hizashi should be home in an hour."

"Ok!"

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Shouta rolled his eyes when Hizashi found out. Always so excited about anything involving Iruka. Part of him is definitely proud of her for saving that boy. Another part of him wishes he had been there with her. Wishes he could spare her the trouble. He also didn't want to encourage this.

"As much as we are glad you saved that boy does not mean you get to go out and play vigilante."

"Shouta is right. It sounds like the cops let you off easy but it was still vigilantism and could've been dangerous."

"Ya I know, but I couldn't have just left him,"

"We're not saying you should've. We're saying we don't want you to seek out these things. We don't want you purposely going places with the intention of playing hero because that is our job, not yours. If you stumble on something like this again, which I hope you don't, we won't be mad but don't go seeking it out,"

"I'm not about to go vigilante Dad."

"That's all we want to hear Listener." Hizashi clapped his hand. "Now go get cleaned up, I'll clean up the kitchen."

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She wasn't trying to find trouble. She just changed her route home from school to the back alleys. She didn't make it a patrol route or anything it was just becoming increasingly evident that crimes at that time of day were just way too easy to get away with. If she was really doing anything wrong then the cops down by the station, like Officer Kikiori, would've said something. She wasn't using her quirk. Not most of the time at least. even with the minuscule amounts of changing, she does when saving people Iruka has gotten better. Maybe it's partially from her reflexes getting faster as well.

In the beginning, she felt like she had to justify helping people. It's good practice for UA. It keeps stamina up. Really all she was doing was justifying the adrenaline rush. Justifying punching creeps who thought they owned another person's body. Who needs to justify helping people anyway?

It was fine though. She did what she had to do to help those she could. It was just simple mugging or attempted rape. The worse scenario she's found herself in is when the attacker had a weapon. A few cuts here and a gash wound there were worth it though. Granted that had been harder to tell her parents without freaking them out.

Her parents were another thing. She hadn't lied to them when they asked about her injuries. She'd seen the looks of disapproval they had on their faces. They'd warn her against doing it again but they had never actually done anything to stop it. Shouta always had a calculating look on his face whenever she came home most days, as though he was figuring out how illegal what she was doing is. She wonders sometimes why they haven't done anything.

As much as the pseudo-vigilantism helps her physical skills her school skills are mediocre at best. Entrance exams are getting closer and it's stressing Iruka out. Maybe that's why she starts to hunt for things to do. Perhaps that's why she stops telling Izuku everything. And maybe that's why Hound Dog can sniff out her worry.

She told him about what happened that day. He listened about her pseudo-vigilantism adventures. It was only from years of talking to and being with Ryo that Iruka learn she didn't have to tiptoe around any topics. It was freeing. Though every time she left for home Ryo told her no funny business, she'd laugh it off every time.

She had planned to go into town to do some grocery shopping. Iruka hadn't paid much mind to anything as she got off the train, intent on listening to her music. It was when a few blurs ran past her that she finally looked up. There was a crowd forming up ahead. Curiosity got the best of her as she walked toward it. Watching villain attacks had always itched Iruka the wrong way, always wanting to step in but it was good to be aware when they happened.

Iruka smelled the fire before she saw the way they lit up the surrounding walls, shadows moving wildly. She could sort of make out someone who looked vaguely of slime. There was an explosion from the slime. A flash of green moved forward.

It only took a second, but it felt like a second too long, before she recognised wh that flash of green was.

"IZUKU!" She shouted pushing through. She ran as she transformed into a lion. As she rushed towards Izuku another explosion burst from the slime. It wasn't from the slime though, Iruka recognised that explosion anywhere. She'd grabbed onto Izuku, not letting him go any closer to the slime and tossed him backwards. She looks back towards the slime and lo and behold, Katsuki was stuck in the middle of it.

Iruka didn't think about how there were heroes around. Didn't think about the fact that she might not have enough strength to pull Katsuki out. She didn't even think about the fact that the slime might have been sentient. Her hands and feet changed into wings and talons. It took no effort to fly above Katsuki but the same couldn't be said about getting him out.

The slime wrapped around her talons, pulling her downwards. Katsuki set off a few more explosions burning her. Iruka tugged and pulled, giving Katsuki some way to breathe. She saw a different pair of eyes blinking up at her. She yanked a talon out and scratched hard. It was reckless but with no other signs of a hostage, Iruka took the chance that it was the slime monster's. The slime moved and writhed. Iruka saw Izuku running towards them again, this time reaching and trying to pull Katsuki out. Iruka kicked her way out before she helped pull Katsuki out. All three went tumbling to the ground.

Iruka heard Katsuki and Izuku panting, she herself was too. The danger was still close by though. Everything in her told her to run. She grabbed both Katsuki and Izuku, not listening to the yells of heroes and bystanders alike. Iruka rushed through the crowd, running until all that was left was the sound of their feet against the ground.

"Iruka- slow- down-" Izuku wheezed.

She skidded to a stop to catch her breath making Izuku and Katsuki crash into her.

"You- You guys ok?"

"Y-Ya," Izuku looked like he was 2 seconds away from falling flat on his face. If it wasn't for that fact Iruka would've smacked him over the head for being reckless (she's being a hypocrite but no one would call her out for it). Iruka turned instead to Katsuki. He was quiet. He looked like he wasn't entirely there.

"You alright?"

It took a minute before Katsuki responded. He blinked at her confused before nodding.

"Ya fine," He thought for a second. "Thanks,"

Somehow the word itself made Iruka delirious. The Katsuki Bakugou, Izuku's bully of almost 10 years, thanked her.

"Uh, ya. Don't mention it." Iruka looked toward Izuku and Katsuki. "I'll walk you guys home. Come on."

After a while, they reached Izuku and Kacchan's neighbourhood. They had been walking in silence and it seemed the three just liked that better. Before making another turn there was someone in front of them. A blond man, he had almost a sunken-faced look. His shirt looked too lose for him. He didn't look threatening per se but considering he showed up from nowhere right in front of them Iruka thought better than to take his appearance lightly.

"What do you want?" She could've had more tact, it was the exhaustion.

Before the man could speak up Izuku answered her question. "Uhhh he's an old family friend of mine. Mum said he'd be in town."

Iruka's brows furrowed and so did Katsuki's. The man spoke up this time. "Yes um. I was on a stroll and I happen to bump into you. Come now young Midoriya your mother is waiting." He looked familiar in a way. She couldn't put her finger on it. Izuku said he was a family friend. Iruka doesn't remember Izuku having any other family friends besides her and Katsuki. Izuku looked like he recognised the man so surely they knew each other right?

"Ok. Call me when you get home Izu." She walks up to the man, "If he doesn't get home safe I'll find you and gut you alive." Izuku let out a squeak while the man nodded furiously.

Iruka and Katsuki continued their journey to the blond's house.

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"Was that a friend of yours Young Midoriya?"

"Ya. She'll make a great hero someday."

"I think you will too."

"You think I can be a hero?"

"Yes, I do.

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Hello hello!! I have returned from the dead!

I am so so so sorry this fic was left on hiatus for a while. Finally finished highschool and well that kinda kicked my motivation into a ditch.

But I am back now and I intend to keep this fic going to the end. As a treat an original chapter will also be posted. 

Thank you for your patience and thank you for coming back to read this fic. I always appreciate it.

As always, if you enjoyed this chapter a vote and/or comment is always appreciated.

Till next time, stay hydrated.

Bye Lovies~