Living A Lie

Chapter 11

"No," Shouto practically hisses at his father. It's been a month since the boy last saw the old bastard, the last time being the day that Endeavor had told Shouto about the betrothal, and now he's come up with another hair brained scheme to get what he wants, a male child that can one day be stronger than All Might was in his prime. "I don't care if you're my father, that is going way too far."

"He doesn't need the whole person there," Endeavor threatens Shouto. "I could just take some of your hair. Either way, I'm getting my perfect creation."

Shouto has heard about the man Endeavor is talking about. The boy had done research at one point to find out other ways Endeavor could try and get his way in order to try and prevent him from trying those methods. Unfortunately for him, Endeavor had found out about the man, but also, unfortunately for Endeavor, Shouto also knows he's bluffing on the hair sinceBubaigawara Hiraku needs the entire human there to clone them, but he also knows that Endeavor would still find a way to get what he wants whether he likes it or not. All Shouto can do is try and minimize the damage that the man could cause.

As he sits there, stroking Raven's silken white fur, Shouto thinks through the things he can try to do to fix the issue of Endeavor's current plan, he realizes that he can use the marriage that he's being forced into to his advantage. "Fine," Shouto replies, receiving claws to the leg from Raven in doing so. "But, I will only do it if Hawks and I get to raise and train him. You will have no say in his life, at all."

Endeavor glares at his "son." He had already had a training plan set up, but he's sure that Hawks would follow the plan. The winged hero will understand the need to train the child well, he's sure. "I'll set up the appointment and let you and Hawks know when to meet me there. It will likely be before the wedding, but I'm sure that won't be a problem."

Shouto rolls his eyes. "If that's all, my teacher is waiting outside to take me back to school."

It's not even a week before Endeavor has the appointment set up, and the three of them, along with Raven and a woman Shouto has never met before, stand outside the office of Bubaigawara Hiraku waiting to be let in. Endeavor introduced the woman, when they had arrived, as Morikawa Ainu. From what the man said when introducing her, she is the most sought after surrogate in Japan due to her quirk, Incubate. Her quirk allows for visibility on the progress of any child she carries, detailing every piece of information that doctors measure during pregnancy directly on her stomach, and she has never lost a single pregnancy in the ten years she's been a surrogate, since turning twenty-one.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Morikawa-san," Bubaigawara, a short, bald, gray skinned man, greets the woman the moment everyone has entered the room where he meets with all of his clients. It's spacious and has plenty of room for everyone.

The blonde woman smiles at him, "Likewise, Bubaigawara-san." Her emerald eyes twinkle in mischief. "We really must stop meeting so often. One might think I was cheating on my wife."

Bubaigawara chuckles. "I severely doubt that, dear. I'm really not your type." He looks around the room at everyone, and upon seeing the not so amused face of Endeavor, the man straightens up and gets straight to business explaining exactly how his quirk works and requesting that Shouto and Morikawa sit in the chairs labeled for each of the parts they play in the use of his quirk.

Hawks, trying to look the part of a caring fiance, follows Shouto to his seat and proceeds to hold the boy's hand, a gesture that brings a smile to Morikawa's face. "Usually the partner just stares from across the room while the one being cloned has a nervous breakdown. I'm glad you have someone who actually cares about you."

Shouto simply nods in acknowledgement of the woman's statement and watches as Bubaigawara walks around the desk to face them.

Bubaigawara places his left hand on Shouto's hand that is clasped with Hawks' until a faint blue glow emanates from the point of contact, then he places his right hand onto Morikawa's outstretched one. The glow proceeds to gradually move across his body to the woman until it completely surrounds her before pooling around her abdomen and seeming to fade into her stomach. Once the process is complete, Morikawa lifts her shirt to expose the markings, that have taken over the pale skin of her stomach, in order to show that the process is complete and promises to keep Shouto, Endeavor, and Hawks updated on all information on the child as things change. She makes one more comment about how Hawks was the most caring partner she's seen in the times that she's worked with clients who go through Bubaigawara's quirk before everyone takes their leave.