The Emperor's Dragon

Victory But For Whom?

Inko sat quietly as Shunin bickered with the Commissioner's Lawyer over some technicality in the contract. While they were doing that, it was easier to hold the other at bay because they were taking up the time in mediation and that led closer and closer to a court case, which is what the other wanted. She could feel the other watching the clock that was on one wall. It was an old fashioned clock with hands but it was, thankfully, silent as the second hand moved. Inko wasn't sure she could sit here if it was ticking.

Though she couldn't help but feel there was something else going on as well.

The mediation room they'd been taken to today was larger than the previous ones. Shunin had simply shrugged and said that they were most likely all booked. He wasn't concerned. He had, however, admitted to some surprise when the Commission's team was there, and it included the sidekick Sir Nighteye. Then her lawyer had huffed and whispered to her that he was probably the one who had made the call on Izuku and wanted to see how the case was going.

Despite not knowing that for sure, it did hold the feel of truth.

So she sat quietly, looking at the room. There was an AV set up on one side. The screen was inset with two speakers, one on each side. Inko supposed that not all mediation could be done face to face so the set up made sense. There were conference phones on the tables, which were arranged so that everyone could see the screen with an opening in the centre. The low fat shape of the phones made them look almost like small turtles but in the place of a head they had a keypad.

"Enough!"

The cry carried an undeniable note of authority and all eyes snapped to Sir Nighteye.

The sidekick's expression was studiously neutral and then he shook his head. Inko could tell he was frustrated. He gave the Commission's Lawyer a slight glare before he turned to Shunin.

"We accept your alteration," the sidekick announced, "on the grounds that an in principle agreement is reached and the matter is settled today."

There was a shocked silence from the room and Inko only just managed to keep the other from taking over. Her head pounded as it screamed and she felt a cold sweat break out over her body. Thankfully that didn't show on her face. If they broke up today without a resolution, Inko wasn't sure... She wasn't sure if she'd be able to hold back Hisashi's whore anyway but she was going to try.

She would see Izuku again, but it would be on her terms. Not his.

Never his.

Inko watched as Shunin composed his features. He cast a glance at his counterpart from the Commission. She was looking at Sir Nighteye like the man had a second head but he didn't appear moved. Eventually she huffed softly and then turned to Shunin to give him a small nod. Inko didn't think about it. If she didn't think about it, maybe Not Inko wouldn't figure it out.

Shunin turned to her, with a questioning look in his cat slit eyes. It was, after all, up to her and he knew she wanted this to go public. With the offer of closure coming like this, it would be that much harder to appear to be the reasonable party if this went to trial. In fact, it would be almost impossible. Inko closed her eyes. It wasn't hard to appear to be in pain from the weight of the decision. She was in pain.

You can't do this! Not Inko screamed.

She had figured it out.

Why not? Inko demanded. This was her mind and she was in control, not some hussy who would serve that bastard (she didn't care what he'd said) who called himself her husband. Sir Nighteye himself has offered to tell us, and I know he was the one to make the call. She didn't know that absolutely but with her studies of how All Might's missions went, those that were planned, she knew the sidekick was vitally important in planning. He understood All Might's abilities better than most so could properly accommodate them in whatever the plan may be.