Soul Family

Chapter 8

Shinsou went to the tree where he likes to feed cats. He wanted to leave the school grounds but since he missed yesterday he wanted to be back in class after lunch. 'I'm glad I already had English. Now I just need to leave after school without being stopped" he thought as he sat on a tree branch in the middle of the tree. Once he calmed down and the warning bell rang, he climbed down the tree before heading back to class. He forgot he didn't have his bracelet and it wasn't on his desk when he went into class. He kept his head down and took notes for the rest of the day. He packed his things quickly and started to leave campus before he stopped by a meow.

"I don't have time, Cheeto" he mumbled softly, trying to hold his ground. Cheeto nuzzled against his legs making him sigh. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a can of cat food. He opened it and squatted down. He set the food down and Cheeto immediately started eating as Shinsou petted him.

"I thought you'd be here. I see you feed him." Aizawa said, making Shinsou jump as he leaned against the wall. Shinsou cursed under his breath.

"Easy kid. I get that change might be scary but we've been looking for our kids that have the soul mark." Aizawa said, squatting beside Shinsou showing him his wrist. Shinsou looked at his wrist and put his wrist beside Aizawas.

"You both couldn't possibly want me. It doesn't matter if we share a mark" Shinsou said before he could stop himself.

"Let's talk back at my place? I would like to know why you hid the mark when we went to the orphanage. We have cats" Aizawa said, petting Cheeto on the head before standing up and holding his hand out to Shinsou. Shinsou didn't want to go and talk but it was better than going back to the orphanage plus they had cats. That was one of his weaknesses. Shinsou grabbed his hand and Aizawa pulled him up.

It didn't take long for them to reach their apartment. Aizawa unlocked the door and a white cat came and greeted them as a calico cat meowed from the back of the couch.

"The white one is marshmallow and the one on the couch is Obi" Aizawa said, hanging up his scarf and putting his boots by the door. Shinsou followed his example and put her shoes by the door and his backpack. Present mic was in the kitchen with the kennel and three mugs. Obi jumped onto Shinsou's lap as he sat on the couch. Present mic joined them and handed them both a mug of tea.

"Are you okay with answering some questions?" Present mic asked as he sat in an arm chair across from them. Shinsou nods his head not seeing he had a choice and clenches the mug in his hand.

"Why did you hide the soul mark?" Present mic asked softly. Shinsou thought it was interesting how quiet he was compared to his hero persona.

"Um, the caretakers told me to hide it." Shinsou said as he took a sip of his tea and he kept his gaze on the coffee table.

"Why?" Aizawa chimed in from beside him.

" I don't know. I guess they don't think families would want a kid with a villainous quirk." Shinsou mumbled. Aizawa sighed before saying

" There's no such thing as a villainous quirk but people that make bad decisions." That was hard from Shinsou to believe. He ran his fingers through Obi fur as the cat purred.

"This next question might be difficult but take your time. Why weren't you at school yesterday?" Present mic asked as he crossed his leg over his other one and pushed a stray hair behind his ear.

"Um, it was part of my p-punishment. I was late after training on Tuesday because the train was delayed " Shinsou mumbled he hasn't talked this much in years and it was mentally exhausting.

"The train being late isn't your fault. You shouldn't have been punished." Aizawa grumbled under his breath as Mic asked the next question.

"What was the punishment? Missing school shouldn't be part of it."

"Locked in the c-closet and a" he didn't want to mention the muzzle since it would give them the idea to use it on him. Aizawa placed a hand on his knee and gave him a gentle squeeze.

"And what ?" He asked as he set his mug on the coffee table.

"M-muzzle" Shinsou said softly as he bit his bottom lip and curled in on him, not seeing their angry expression. Obi butted his head into Shinsou's stomach and continued to pet the cat. Present mic was going to ask another question when Shinsou's stomach growled.

"I'm going to order some takeout, anything in particular you want, listener?" Present mic grabbed his phone and Shinsou shook his head.

" I'll show you where you are sleeping and I'll call the orphanage" Aizawa said getting up and Shinsou glanced up at him with a confused expression.

" You're not going back there again. Despite what you might think, we want you kid. " Aizawa said as Shinsou got up and followed him. The room was pretty bare with just a bed and some CDs and books on a shelf.

"We'll call you when dinner is ready. Make yourself at home, " Aizawa said as he left Shinsou. Shinsou went over to the bed and fell back out to it with a shaky sigh 'this must be a dream' he thought as he closed his eyes for a little bit listening to the soft noises in the house.