The Emperor's Dragon

Friends And Other Extreme Ideas

Sorry, Izu! Why was the red blood cell banned from church?

The text from Himiko made him smile. She might not have had her phone yesterday but she had answered now.

Because he said God's name in vein! Izuku sent back with a grin.

Hehe! Himiko messaged him. I might not be able to answer quickly for the next bit, she added in a new message.

Is everything okay? Izuku had typed the reply before he even thought about it.

There was a bit of a break before she replied. You know I like blood, Izu?

Of course you do, it's for your quirk.

My parents are worrying, Himiko sent to him.

Because you like blood?

Yes.

That didn't make any sense! Transform didn't work without blood so that's why Himiko had to have it. And her quirk made her like it! Which was good, because it was kind of gross otherwise. There wasn't anything wrong with her. There's nothing wrong with you, Izuku replied, repeating his thoughts for her to see.

（＾ω＾）

Izuku sighed. We'll talk when you can then? He sent the question.

Of course, Izu!

He really hoped Himiko would be okay but he knew there wasn't anything he could do except support her in text. Izuku resolved to look up some more blood jokes. It was the least he could do.

-ted-

Eating his lunch today was different. Ochaco and Hitoshi were both back at school. They'd met today in Ochaco's classroom, since it was pouring outside. The nice weather of yesterday had given way to rain today.

He'd gotten a few odd looks this morning from a variety of people. There hadn't been too many people present yesterday but word had spread.

He huffed. He could tell from the way Ochaco and Hitoshi were looking at him that they'd heard as well. "Why don't you just ask?" Izuku prompted them.

Ochaco and Hitoshi shared a look.

"What happened?" Ochaco finally asked. Her brown eyes were wide with worry.

The classroom wasn't full but Izuku could feel the way the other kids were listening in.

"Gatarui was being a dick," he said bluntly.

Ochaco's eyes widened.

"I only swear when I mean it," Izuku said mildly before she could ask.

Hitoshi chuckled. "So he was being a dick, and you beat him up?" the purple haired boy asked.

"I did not!" Izuku defended himself. "He challenged me," he added, giving Ochaco a pointed look.

She looked at him quizzically, trying to interpret it.

"Alright," Hitoshi allowed. "You beat each other up, except you look pretty good."

Izuku had thought about what he wanted to say about not having bruises. Gatarui didn't have any but that's because chitin didn't show them. He didn't like lying to his friends but protecting his dad was more important. He shrugged. "Tomura hits harder," he announced.

"Tomura is fourteen," Hitoshi pointed out.

"Yeah?" Izuku asked, confused. The teen was older but what did that have to do with anything?