Shirakumo: Starting Over

Chapter 4

It's been three years and finally the war is over. The villains behind it are in jail and there were only a small number of hero casualties because of Eri and her quirk. But most importantly, it's the day I've been waiting for for three years, today is the day Eri is going to try and bring back Shirakumo. Waiting outside his cell, I can't think of anything else, and my nervousness shows as my foot taps uncontrollably on the ground. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I look up to see Hizashi dressed in his hero outfit, yet missing his iconic sunglasses. "No sunglasses?" I ask him as he stands by me.

"Yeah." Hizashi says taking his glasses out of his pocket before putting them back in. "I want to make sure he can recognize me, if that's even possible." We're silent for a moment before I ask,

"Where's Eri?"

"She's on her way, Midoriya was talking to her, but she should be down soon." Hizashi says, fiddling with his jacket.

"Do you think it'll work?" I ask him quietly, just above a whisper.

"It has too. Eri has gotten so strong the past three years,  if anyone can bring him back it's her." He says.

"What if there's nothing to bring back?" I ask, and he turns to look at me. "We were able to bring him back last time, but that was three years ago, and even then it was only for a few minutes."

"Shota, it'll work. It has too." And with that we hear a pair of footsteps walking toward us and turn to see Eri walking down in her red dress. She looks older than the average ten year old, but her smile is as bright as ever.

"Are you ready Baby?" I ask as she walks over to us and she flashes her bright smile in response.

"Yep." She says. "I'm ready." And with that the three of us walk in to the room adjacent to Shirakumo's cell and see him in his 'Kurogiri' state through the one way glass. Seeing him like that sends a shiver down my spine, we all walk over to All Might and Midnight whom are their to protect Eri if anything happens.

"Are you ready?" All Might asks.

"I don't think we can be." I say back, things were tense between me and All Might after our fight, but luckily we were able to work things out before this.

"I can't believe we could get Shirakumo back." Midnight says looking solemn.

"Yeah." Hizashi says quietly.

"Well, he won't wait forever." All Might says gesturing to Shirakumo. I take a breath and walk in with Hizashi and Eri behind me. When we walk in Kurogiri raises his head to look at us and his face contorts into a sick smile.

"Well, if it isn't the hero Erasurehead and his lovely family. What could you possibly be doing here?" He says, and we're all quite. She's not showing it, but I can tell Eri is scared she's seen and healed alot of gore the past three years, but she's never been face-to-face with a real Villain.

"We're here to save my Daddy's friend." She says bravely, making me so proud. Then a sick sound comes from him that we soon realize is some sadistic laughter, Eri takes my hand out of fear and I pull her close.

"DON'T EVEN TRY IT!" Kurogiri yells as he thrashes in his straight jacket. "AFTER LAST TIME, I MADE SURE THAT BRAT WON'T EVER MAKE IT OUT AGAIN." At that my anger takes over and I use my scarf to hold him still, and to keep him quiet.

"Okay Eri, you ready?" I ask and she looks a little scared, but soon changes to look brave and nods her head. "Do you need to see the picture again?" I ask as I simultaneously pull out a folded up paper. I unfold the paper to reveal young Hizashi, Shirakumo, and I locking arms and smiling. "This is the age you want to rewind him back to." She looks over the picture carefully before looking at me confidently and making her way over to Kurogiri, with Hizashi and I following carefully behind. As she approaches Kurogiri struggles a little, but I pull him tighter with my scarf. Carefully she reaches out a hand to touch Kurogiri, and we all hold our breath and I release my scarf. Suddenly, when she touches his arm, the purple mist disappears to reveal Shirakumo, my eyes fill with tears at the sight of him.

Shirakumo POV

It's dark, but I'm used to it.

How long has it been since I saw Shota and Hizashi? Had I just hallucinated it all? Just the mind of a mad man's last pleads for help. I guess it doesn't matter anymore, I'm okay with dieing here. I wasn't, but now the thought of slowly rotting here doesn't sound so bad. I just want to disappear. I hug my knees tighter to my chest and drift farther into the void.

"H- Hello?" A small disjointed voice calls out, jerking me away from my thoughts and forcing my eyes open to look across the void. I'm losing my mind.

"Please stop." I beg, putting my hands against my ear to block out the noise.

"I'm not gonna hurt you mister." A small child-like voice calls back to me.

"Who are you?" I ask uncovering my ears. Someone is calling to me, but I can't see them.

"I'm Eri. My Daddy really misses you." The voice now known as Eri says.

"Your Daddy?" I ask confused.

"Mhh-hmm you were his friend until you died, but I'm going to bring you back." Eri calls. My friend, c- could it be?

"Shota?" I shout hoping I'm right. He came for me. "Is your dad Shota."

"Mhh-hmm" She hums excitedly. She acts so young and happy, she can't be older than twelve. "Just open your eyes okay."

"They are, I opened them." I shout.

"No silly, your real eyes." She says. "Than you can see my Daddy again."

"W-what?! But I- I don't know how." I shout, but I get no response. "Eri?! Please come back! I don't know how to open them! ERI!" I scream into the void to no response. Come on Shirakumo, you can do it. You need to open your eyes. For Shota and Hizashi.

Please just.....

Open....

Shota POV

We watch as Eri holds her hand to Shirakumo's arm, it looks like she's talking to him in her mind. Then her eyes open and she let's go. "What happened?" I ask.

"I lost him." Eri says confused. "But I told him what he needs to do." She says. 

"And what's that?" Hizashi asks.

"Open his eyes." Eri replies. We all wait in silence looking for any sign that Shirakumo will open his eyes, but after a few moments I lose hope and tears start to fall down my face. Hizashi comes to me and puts an arm on my shoulder which I turn into and hug him.

"It didn't work?" Eri asks softly.

"Yeah." I say pulling her into the hug. "But I am so proud of you for trying." And she starts crying a little out of disappointment, and Hizashi starts walking out with her. I'm not far behind, but I look back one last time at my childhood best friend that I couldn't save and tears fall down my cheeks again. Soon the sight is too much and I turn my back to leave when I hear it.

"W- what's wrong?" A raspy voice calls from behind me making me stop in my tracks. I look ahead of me to see Hizashi also heard it. I slowly turn around to see Shirakumo struggling to look at me, the sight makes goosebumps run down my back and tears down my face. He struggles to lift his head as I cautiously walk closer to him, until he's looking at me, and I can see tears falling from his sky blue eyes. "You look like you've seen a ghost." He says and a small half smile grows on his face.