The Damned Legacy

Chapter Eleven. Damaged

That following morning Izuku is the first one up and tells everyone to avoid the downstairs for a little while. Kukumi frowns but figures she has nothing to do down there anyways. So she spends the first 'day off' reading, cooking, and teaching Eri a few more things before teasing Tenya. Their late-night hug stuck in her brain. He seemed so...worried. And she can't place why.

The next few days are still similar to the first one. Everyone steering clear of the lower level and laying low like usual. However, Kukumi quickly realizes that they are steadily running out of food. And although it isn't her turn to go out and get the groceries, she can't imagine staying there any longer without a break.

So she slips away from the group in the kitchen without saying anything. The last time it took her twenty extra minutes to leave, they were trying to get her to buy extra things. But as she climbs down the stairs, she hears what they had been avoiding for the last few days.

"Please let me out!" Tokoyami is yelling and banging at the door. "At least let me turn on the lights!" He sounds desperate and scared out of his mind. He gave them all his coms and other agency things when he arrived a few nights ago.

Kukumi swallows. This is not what she signed up for. Torture and torment of an innocent. So she marches back upstairs and taps Izuku on the shoulder.

"Listen, I know you have your way of doing things here, but this is cruel. He needs someone to talk to." She demands as she crosses her arms over her chest.

"Whoa whoa whoa, Kukumi, none of this has been happening on purpose. Dark Shadow and I discussed it last night. Tokoyami can handle this, but if you wish to speak to him, I would be happy to lock you in. But someone will have to let you out."

Kukumi's frown remains, "I don't care what has to happen. He needs some sort of companionship now that he has lost his quirk and doesn't really understand or believe in our cause." She can help. She has to help. Or she isn't going to be able to live with this happening. "If I can talk to him even just a little bit, maybe I can help him see, and he won't have to be locked up during the day, but both Tokoyami and Dark Shadow will be on our side."

Izuku thinks about that for a moment. Then as if he is reading his mind, Todoroki steps out into the hallway with them. "I can guard the door while she is in there. But she makes a point." He says before, already leading the way downstairs.

"You do make a point. I can't argue against this since Shoto is already on board, so here is the key. You are in charge of it from this point on." He meets her eyes, "if he gets out and causes problems, it is your life."

Kukumi nods as she takes the key and hurries downstairs. Todoroki is already sitting against the door. She can hear Tokoyami still yelling but softer now. Getting tired, she is sure.

"What exactly is your plan, Ariga?" Todoroki asks, looking up at her with a frown.

"I just think he needs someone to talk to. I don't know if he is going to charge the door, but at least this time, I need you to make sure that he doesn't get past me. I don't think any sort of signal is safe to signal me wanting to leave, so what do you want to do?"

"I will let you out after fifteen minutes with him. Make sure that you keep track of time."

"Give me twenty, and I will be sitting by the door the moment you open it."

"Deal."

"You are hoping I crash and burn here, aren't you?"

"No, but I do not think this is your best plan."

"All of my plans are the best. Now help me."

The two stand by the door, and Kukumi leans against it, "I am coming in now. Please get away from the door." There is shuffling, and she hears a faint okay before opening the door and seeing Tokoyami standing ready on the other side of the room. Kukumi's hair lights up in self-defense as she slams the door and slides the key under for Todoroki to lock it. She hears the click and swallows. She is in it now.