Chapter 3

Two hours had passed. Satoko was stirring from her sleep. When she woke up, she saw Hawks sitting in a nearby chair.

"I bet you're feeling better than before." He hummed.

Satoko sat up with her face turning into a grimace. Her arm had an IV planted into it. She definitely was feeling more hydrated than she's had for years.

(Did he really just stay with me? Bet that's looking really good for his credibility.) She felt annoyed at the thought.

As she's adjusting to waking up, the doctor came in to talk to her about her condition.

The doctor came in with a tray. He sat it down for her and smiled. "Well...it could have been a lot worse. You're doing pretty well, all things considered. Your ankle was able to be reset fairly easily, so that should heal quickly. Recovery Girl may be able to come in again tomorrow and get you fully healed. We focused on having her heal that gunshot wound of yours tonight, which possibly saved your life. The only reason she didn't heal you completely is because you were already fatigued when you arrived."

Recovery Girl was a well-known hero. Instead of focusing on fighting or rescue, she chose to work at UA in order to heal the students. That allowed for more dangerous training activities. Any injuries could just be healed by her. Due to her type of quirk being rare, she often made visits to hospitals to help those who were hurt. Satoko must have been lucky enough to arrive on a night when she was visiting.

"When can I leave?" Satoko didn't feel very comfortable being here. It's hard for her to fathom being taken care of like this. Thinking everyone is always in it for something.

Hawks didn't let the doctor answer. Instead, he waved him to leave the room. He turned to Satoko. "Either tomorrow or the next day. Whenever Recovery Girl comes, that is."

Satoko stared that the food in front of her. It was some baked chicken with vegetables on the side. She's so used to stealing junk food, food from the trash or cold leftovers from other people.

"Go ahead and eat." Hawks encouraged. "It's nice and hot. Plus, it's my favorite so I recommend."

"So you eat your own kind?" She scoffed at him being 'bird-like'. Hawks snorted like she was joking, but she wasn't. She meant it as an insult.

"I'm sure you're hungry. This should get you back on your feet." He pressed for her to eat. She really was, but his presence being there made her irritated.

(I can't believe I became in a weakened state.) She took her fork and cut into the chicken. It was nice and soft to cut through. How long has it been since she's had a proper meal?

She couldn't even remember. It made her sad to even think about as she took her first bite. Hiding her expression how good it tasted, she glared at Hawks watching her.

"You can go away now." She talked with her mouth full.

"A simple thank you would be nice." He teased.

"I don't like being watched while eating. You got me here so no need to babysit me." She remarked.

"Alright, alright." He got up. "I got it. Don't give the doctors trouble here. You'll be out as soon as you know it."

As Hawks was leaving, she started thinking about Dabi. She hated seeing any bloodshed. Ironic, since she does fight too. But the thought of causing deep wounds always bothered her. No matter who it was. Strange enough, she was wondering if he was ok.

It's hard enough that she couldn't really remember. Did he survive?

Oh, whatever. It doesn't matter now, does it?

She didn't bother asking Hawks. Leaving her own sight, he kind of looked towards her. He noticed that she was really chowing down now. He tried not to chuckle at that and left the room completely. He felt satisfied that she was able to eat something better.

That's the thing about meeting strangers. He's come across many people in his life, but would never come across them again. There was something in him hoping he'd see her again. And the fact that the League of Villains wants her... That was another issue at hand.

A problem that is hopefully resolved and that she isn't found again.

(She doesn't seem like a villain type...) He thought. Despite her attitude problem, he can feel that she's a good person.

...

After two days, Satoko was a bit sick of staying in bed. Not listening to doctor's orders, she ripped the IV out of her arm. She felt good enough to get out of bed.

It was bothersome staying any longer. She saw her clothes on the side and grabbed them to change into. It looks like they cleaned them.

Whatever.

She went into the bathroom to change out of the hospital gown, and left the room promptly.

As she was walking, she bumped into someone. There was a man in front of her with a girl at his side.

The man was so skinny that he looked like a skeleton. He looked worn and tired. His eyes were dark with a blue light shining through them.

The girl had semi-wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. A pair of glasses rested carefully on her nose. She put her hands to her chin and gasped. "Uncle Might! Are you ok?" The girl rushed to the man's side and put her hands on his shoulders to make sure that he was alright.

"Yes," All Might responded with a smile. "There's no need to worry."

Instead of being rude, Satoko halted. She knows better not to apologize when she's in the wrong. "Sorry about that..." But she realized something.

"Did you call him... 'uncle Might?' He doesn't look like All Might." She was curious, of course. She isn't sure how she feels about All Might honestly.

All Might had a dumbfounded expression. He thought everyone knew about his appearance by now.

Melissa looked surprised as well. She looked towards All Might. "I thought you said that everyone knows about that now?"

"Not everyone has that luxury of knowing." Satoko grumbled.

All Might caught on. Looking at her appearance, she looks like she's a bit sheltered. He didn't want to assume. "Sometimes word can spread less fast in some areas. Would you like to hear my story then?"

"I guess." Satoko replied. The least she could do for bumping into him like that. He didn't look like he's in a good condition either.

All Might kept the story brief and short. He talked about the fight with All For One. Satoko tried to pay attention, but with hero stuff.. Hard to believe everything with her.

She zoned back in when Melissa started speaking.

"It was really great how you managed to rescue that student too," Melissa said with a smile. She focused back on Satoko. "I actually don't live here in Japan. I came from the United States because I heard that UA has a great support course. I'd like to test out my abilities with them! It would be a great opportunity to get to know the students too."

She poked her chin as she went through the names in her head. "Let's see...I know all of them, but it will probably be nice to get to know some of them better. And it will be especially nice to see my good friend Deku again!" Her cheeks turned a pretty pink color.

Satoko noted her blushing. (Must be nice to be in love... Too bad love isn't actually real.)

The only kind of love she had felt was from her grandpa. She had tried to gain love from others, but they always let her down. Proving her trust isn't worth anything.

She didn't know what to say nor how to respond. "I see, well..."

"Melissa truly is something." All Might praised. "Such a talent for a young girl who doesn't have a quirk. That doesn't stop her. She's always had her job support heroes!" His face beamed talking about her.

Satoko's face went pale. "Quirkless....?"

As in someone actually needed by heroes?

Melissa hummed in response as she nodded. "My father has a quirk, but it doesn't allow him to be a hero. So he found other ways to help out. I also wanted to be a hero when I was younger, but I guess life doesn't always work out like we would want, huh? I was really fortunate though! I have my dad who supports me in whatever I want to do, and I also have friends. If you think about it, the people who work behind the scenes do a lot too. They're like the heroes for the heroes! So that's exactly what I want to become!"

Fortunate.

A father that supports.

Every word of Melissa's put a stinging pang to Satoko's heart.

Jealousy was arising. She felt bitter and angry. This wasn't fair. No, she refused to believe such a parent figure exists.

Doting parents... That didn't seem real to her. While Melissa finished her statement, Satoko already started walking passed them.

"Must be nice." She said through her teeth. She was ripping off the hospital bracelet to take out her negative mood on. It hurt even saying that. She hates to feel envious and wanted to break that ugly feeling. She leaves before Melissa or All Might could say anything. The hospital bracelet fell out of Satoko's pocket.

All Might caught a glimpse of her name. He wanted to say something, but he doesn't know who this woman is.

Melissa frowned. "I think that something I said upset her. Did I come off as trying to brag?"

"It could be a number of things," All Might replied. "We don't know her story." He picked up the hospital bracelet on the ground. "Just her name."

From the distance, there was a familiar freckled face approaching. It was Izuku Midoriya waving as he walked. "Melissa! All Might!" He greeted. "Sorry!! Am I late?"

"Deku! I've missed you!" Melissa's eyes immediately lit up when she saw him. She opened her arms to offer him a hug.

"U-um." Izuku started to blush as he slowly went into hugging her. His face was beet red from feeling her delicate warmth. "I've missed you as well."

It was no brainer that Melissa was on his mind a lot since their last encounter.

All Might coughed a bit to make his presence known, and to also tease these two kids with their PDA.

"Oh!" Melissa took a step back. Her face wasn't red before, but All Might coughing made her more aware of how that looked. "So Deku, how have you been? Are classes going well? There haven't been any more villain attacks, have there?"

"Things are calm now, it seems." Izuku stated. "We have heroes training us at the moment." He paused for a moment. "Were you upset about something? It looked like you were sad before I got your attention."

"There was a girl that we ran into. She seemed upset about something," Melissa explained. "I wish we could help her, but...she walked off."

"What did she look like?" Izuku tilted his head.

"Her hair was a bit colorful. She looks like she's in her 20s." All Might noted. "Satoko Takanashi is the name we got, but only from this bracelet."

"Could there be something going on?" Izuku asked.

"Let's not jump to conclusions." All Might waved his hand. "She could just be having a bad day."

"I see." Izuku pondered. Now that Melissa is here, he wanted to spend more time with her. The thought of it fluttered his heart.

The three of them got off topic eventually and made their way with their day.

...

The place that Satoko was staying at wasn't the best. It was extremely dirty. The only thing she had to rest on was a torn up and stained mattress. If she wanted shelter from rain, there was a wooden shelter a few minutes away. She could go there to rest. She typically avoided it though, due to the fact that she wanted to avoid running into other people.

(So that's where she's been staying,) Dabi thought.

And, of course, Dabi had found out where she was.

Satoko spotted him from the distance. There was no way.

Absolutely no way. (How on earth did he find me?)

Was he really that desperate to search for her?

"Of course, I should have known you were stalking me!" She went on guard. "Get out of he-!"

He charged at her before she could finish her sentence. His hand went over her mouth roughly, causing her to stumble back and hit a wall. Dabi had a lazy smile. "I think I figured it out. Don't tell me what to do. I've seen what happens when you order people around. I just want to talk about something for now."

Satoko gave him a hateful glare. She couldn't seem to bite him the way his hand was forced upon her. She stomped super hard on his foot as an indicator to get him to move away from her.

Dabi scoffed. "Nice try. You're pretty much useless without being able to use that power of yours. You can control people, right? By speaking to them? That's what I think. It's obvious that you aren't quirkless. You would have to be a moron to actually believe that."

He slowly moved his hand away from her. "I know your weakness. Anyone else would be unable to kill you unless you lost your voice or something. So why don't we make a deal? I will help you accomplish whatever goals you have...if you help me to accomplish mine."

Satoko looked at him at disbelief. Her fists were shaking enough that she punched a wall next to her. It broke its surface a little bit.

"How dare you say I'm useless!" She looked up towards him with such anger. Something snapped inside her.

Unwarranted flashbacks kept trying to resurface from her head. "It's a lie!"

She stomped forward towards him and got into his face without an ounce of fear. "You act like you know me, but you don't! How could you understand what I possibly feel?! Ha...Deal?" She started to bitterly laugh.

"Why would I want to have a deal with you? When you can toss me away like my parents did?" Her anger kept intensifying. "Being quirkless made me abandoned because I wasn't a use to them!"

She kept going on about it. Like so much of this pent of emotions was just pouring out.

Her parents were in an arranged quirk marriage. Her father has sound-time bending78 quirk and her mother has healing quirk. Apparently, it could make a powerful quirk. She was the first born.

As she grew older. Around preschool years, her father would often yell at her. Things like how she was useless.

At her age, she should have had a quirk already at four years old. He knew what that meant. That she was a lost cause.

"I was nothing for them. I couldn't be used by him. So he'd..."

There were days he'd come to beat her and her mother up. Her mother was abused as well because she couldn't get pregnant.

But finally, one day, she got pregnant. Unwillingly, of course. But when she gave birth, their other daughter was born with a quirk.

Because of that...

"I was dumped here! And-!" She stopped. She was shaking. She said too much.

"Quirk marriage, huh?" Dabi narrowed his eyes. "So you have been hurt by those so-called 'heroes' as well. Yet you won't do anything to stop it? You're too scared to step up? How does that make you any better?"

"You wouldn't understand." She looked away. "You have powers. I don't. I trained myself to have this physical strength to survive. Whatever goal you have must oppose mine. All I want is a better justice system... But heroes hide stuff like this under the rug." She then folded her arms and shook her head with a sigh.

"Of course, you're assuming things like I haven't tried to speak up. Not everyone listens to me, you know. Because I'm not fit for society. Who would listen to someone quirkless?" More bad memories came to her head, but she brushed those thoughts aside.

"My offer would help get a better justice system." He took a step back, relaxing a little bit. "I want to get rid of one of the most corrupt heroes of all time. You would be doing the world a favor by working with me. But if you don't agree...I will have no reason to keep you alive. I can rip out your vocal cords so you can never speak again. Then, even if that isn't your quirk, you will have to suffer and die a slow death."

Dabi didn't give her a chance to speak. He wouldn't let her get her words in. He needed to make it perfectly clear to her that he didn't need her to accomplish his goals. He wanted her.

"You see, we actually aren't that different." He started. "I was the result of a quirk marriage too. My father is a famous hero, but he was always second choice. No one would want him as number one. Even now that he is the number one hero, I doubt he has many fans. I was the first born too, but unlike you, I had a powerful quirk. But guess what? It still wasn't enough for him!"

Dabi continued smiling as though what he was talking about wasn't traumatic. He was burying those feelings deep down.

"It's ironic, right? I had a powerful quirk and all, but I still ended up being neglected. It was because my brother was born that it happened. HE had what they really wanted. If he had never been born, I might not have been neglected. But it's not like they actually love him anyway. He's just a tool. Not even human."

Dabi pointed to himself. "I'M human. This is what it looks like when heroes get what they want. All burnt up. It's an ugly truth, isn't it? I have seen the corruption up close. Quirk marriages. Abuse in the home. THAT'S what heroes are really about. Not saving people. But you know all that already, don't you?"

"This is the only way to stop them. You say that talking doesn't work. So why do we keep doing what we know will fail? Only those who have experienced the truth first-hand have the means to stop it. They call us villains, but we're our own heroes. Someone has to be fighting for themselves in this world."

Satoko had a hard time having that sink in. His story was almost believable even.

No. Perhaps he's only saying that to lure her in. Even if it was the truth, it didn't matter. The threat is what bothered her the most.

"How can I possibly feel at ease when you threatened to kill me?" She remarked. "As if you would possibly kill me." She put on a cocky smile. She used it to force any anxiety she felt trying to come out. "You can't because you need me. Like you're an obsessive stalker."

"You think I won't kill you just because I want to work with you? You're really stupid, you know that?" Blue flames started to appear from Dabi's hands.

"Yeah, I am foolish for even worrying about you when your arm got cut!" She argued, not being intimidated the slightest. "But it doesn't matter. You want to kill. I don't! You're just the same amount of corruption as heroes!!"

"Shut up." Dabi cursed as he aimed an attack towards Satoko. There was something strange about it though. The amount of fire he produced wasn't as much as he typically used. The look in his eyes was different. He seemed stiffer.

Whether it be because he still wanted her to join him or some other reason; he was holding back. Satoko could see that.

"I won't, you jerk!" She continued. "I don't need you or heroes!" Her voice kept getting louder. She was getting ready to dodge and fight.

She was getting tired of this process. Tired of fighting. She just didn't want to do that today. But she won't hold back this time. It felt like nothing she said mattered. This was always the case. No one listens. This is why she doesn't like talking about herself. It didn't matter if it seemed like he was holding back. It must be her imagination. Her own stupid judgment.

She started to scream at him. "Go back with your people and leave me alone before I-!"

He immediately froze. His fire faded before it ever made contact with her skin. His eyes went out of focus as he gazed at her for a moment. When his eyes weren't full of hatred, they were actually really beautiful. The blue seemed to have a constant glow due to its hue. Without saying another word, he turned around and walked away.

She stood, dumbfounded, but waited to make sure he was completely gone. The tenseness of her body loosened after she saw that left. Not that the tenseness was from fear, but due to her own nerves of other emotions.

Her throat felt like it was on fire. This happens a lot over the years. (Dehydrated again.)

All that yelling must have done it. She went to grab a jug of water she had foraged.

Chugging it didn't make her throat feel any better.

Weird.

She tried to say that aloud, but nothing came out of her mouth.

(What?)

She kept trying to talk, but no sound came forth. Not even a little squeaky voice.

(My voice... it's gone?)

...

Dabi came back to his senses after he reached the hideout. He didn't remember making the trip back there, so it was obvious to him what had happened. (Her parents must have had a decent amount of money. I bet they're a hero family too. Why haven't I heard of her before?)

He sat down. He pressed his wrists together as he thought. Memories of his childhood came to mind. The days when he would work himself to the point of having scars all over his body just to be recognized. The days when he could smell his own flesh burning and feel it peeling away. Oozing from infection. The dehydration when he lost fluids in his body from being burnt so much.

His father would grab him roughly. Throw him around a bit. All just to show him who was boss. No amount of tears could reach the heart of someone who was so blinded by his own ambitions. Endeavor really was a fitting name for such a man.

He felt such a hatred at the thought of those flames. Those large hands that were used to harm and never to express love. He was never a father. He was an abuser through and through.

What happens when fire meets fire? The flames don't go out. They grow and burn everything in their path. Someone is always unlucky enough to be caught in the flames when there is nothing to stop them. Someone had to die, yes, but it wouldn't be the one with the strongest flames. Dabi would be sure that his flames overcome any others.

..

Two weeks had passed. Dabi went on walks every day in search of Satoko, but somehow never managed to find her. She had seemingly gotten more skilled at hiding. It was strange how they couldn't see eye to eye, but were so similar in their ideals. They would be a force to be reckoned with if she would agree to work with him. They could surely take down any heroes and rewrite society.

Then one day...he finally spotted her.

Satoko was fighting off villains. They were very low classed ones. Not recognizable. Their clothes looked like they were a bunch of hobos.

One old guy with a scruffy beard lashed out towards her, but she knocked him out by chopping her hand into the back of his neck.

She looked very tired. Like she was at this longer than an hour.

One guy was making cat calling remarks. "Come on, sweetheart." His face was met with her fist. One of his teeth went flying out of his mouth.

One other guy got so irritated and starting calling her profane names. "I'll show you!"

Satoko glared as she tried to dodge this one guy, but this more buff looking man was behind her. He forcefully kicked her back, which sent her flying.

Crashing into a wall, she could only brace herself so much.

"This wench...!" The man growled as he stomped towards Satoko. She was struggling to get up. His quirk manifested into his leg, kicking into Satoko's stomach. Every kick of his would get stronger. Roughly grabbing Satoko's hair, he had her stay in place to kick into her stomach.

"Not so tough now, huh?" The terrible man kept going as he kicked. "Women like you shouldn't be like this!"

Spitting out blood, she was coughing. Her expression didn't change from her hateful eyes. No tears were shed from her eyes. That annoyed the man further like he was expecting her to cry for mercy.

The man yanked her hair some more, forcing her to stand up. "We'll take you for our boss. That would be fitting for his harem. Know your place!" He went to lunge another kick in.

Dabi cursed in his mind. (Why aren't you using that quirk of yours? Just kill them already.)

He was filled with a burning hatred towards the men. They could use their abilities to actually accomplish things. But they spent their time taking advantage of women instead? Those men were utterly worthless. They were the kind of people that Dabi wanted to get rid of.

A blast of his flames was all it took for the bodies to pile up around Satoko. He eyed Satoko with an amused expression. "Are you purposefully being useless now? I should kill you too."

Satoko felt weak and pained. Her eyes met his with a worn fierce look. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

She lowered her head, looking towards the ground. (Go ahead and do it then. Why bother even helping me?)

Dabi never moved to attack. He was hesitating again. Satoko seemed so vulnerable. She wasn't even doing her typical remarks. He didn't want to kill her when she was like that. If he was to kill her, he wanted it to be when she was acting like herself.

He felt some twisted version of pity when he saw her in such a state. Perhaps there was still something human within him. More likely is the possibility that he was looking down on her for being so weak. Regardless of what the feeling was, he hated it.

"You lost your voice, didn't you?" He asked. "When you're like this it's almost like you're a doll. It's pitiful."

He had a pouch on his costume. He opened it up and reached inside. There were a few different bottles inside. One was water. The other was hair dye remover.

He took out the bottle of water and handed it to her. "Drink this."

Satoko didn't budge. She tried smacking it away, but it was forced into her hand.

She was thirsty anyway. She stared at the bottle to see if anything was off about it.

Dabi scoffed. "It's not poisoned. I'll even take a drink to show you if you don't trust it."

Satoko's eyes challenged him to do so. She wanted to see if he was actually telling the truth.

Dabi got the message loud and clear. He took the bottle out of her hand, took the lid off, and took a drink of it. He put it back in her hand. "It's a little warm, but it won't kill you."

She didn't care to drink after him or think anything of it. She kept drinking it. This water was warm, like he said, but fresher compared to the water she's been drinking. Cleaner even.

The soreness of her throat was lessening more. Her voice was rather hoarse, but not completely there yet. She muttered a surprising statement. "Thanks..."

Her voice sounded awful, but she was surprised it was returning. She kept gulping down the water.

Dabi ignored that statement. "You know, this further proves that you do have a quirk. You could have defended yourself better than that if you were able to speak. Your parents must have been real scumbags if they didn't even realize."

The trauma she felt with her parents is what's blinding her judgment in his remark. It makes sense, but she doesn't want to believe it. She finished every last drop as she listened.

"I'm just having a bad day." She denied with her voice sounding better. "But scumbags sounds about right." She didn't bother moving. Usually she would get up and leave already.

The dead bodies around her was making her uncomfortable, but the pain trying to subside from her stomach wouldn't falter. She was kind of curled up on the ground still.

"You didn't have to help me. I'm not your problem." She added, with her voice sounding clearer.

Her pride was a bit hurt from this who matter. Living two weeks without her voice was a challenge itself. She hated feeling helpless. She hated being helped as she loves to be independent. Her independence helps her get less hurt from her emotions, but this keeps making it harder.

"You're right about that," Dabi stated bluntly.

He thought to himself. (I'm just keeping her alive because she can be useful. She can be a tool to me. I can't feel anything for anyone other than hatred.)

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