Flames (A Hawks X OC story)

Prologue

When I was a child, my mother told me our quirk was a curse... designed to remind us of our ancestor's failures. She said it was my responsibility to make up for their mistakes. Back then I thought she meant becoming a hero like her, saving people, using my quirk to help the world. Apparently, she had a different plan for me... 

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"Take her, she's his daughter! Do whatever you want with her just leave me and my son alone!" My Mom screamed downstairs, already pulling my little brother behind her into the small bathroom to hide. I ran from the top of the stairs - dragging Susie along with me- so we could hide in my closet. No one ever looks in a closet. 

Suzie was crying, she didn't want to get in the closet because it was scary... I'll have to hold the door shut so the bad guy can't get to her. Mama will be in soon to help, or Tia. I can hear him walking up the stairs, maybe I can stop him from getting in. 

"Allmight! I'm so glad you found the time to answer my call. I've just arrived at dear Julianna's house to deliver you a present." He was right outside the door, I could see his shoes under the door.  I need to do something - anything!- to make sure he doesn't hurt Suzie. 

I grabbed the scrunchie from my hair, putting it over the doorknobs of my closet so she couldn't get out. Mama said to never use my quirk, but maybe I can use it to keep him away? 

"Have you met your daughter? I've been watching her for a few days, she sure has your spirit. It almost saddens me to have to hurt her. We really can't have anyone related to you and Julianna growing up though can we?" The door started to creak open, a tall man stood in my doorway smiling at me. "A mixture of quirks like that... well it could stand in the way of my plan. At least Nana Shimura was smart enough to hide her children away where I can't find them." The man placed his phone down on a shelf near the door. 

"S...Stay away!" I pushed my back up against the door, hoping that Mama would hear and come help.  She had to, that's what heroes do - they save people. She was right downstairs, why wasn't she coming up to help me? 

"Strong-willed are we? well, how about I give you a little reminder of what a strong will can get you, would you like that dear Ivory?" He almost teleported, moving from my doorway to in front of me in the blink of an eye. Everything took on a red hue around me, my head seemed to spin and with a crash, I landed across my room. 

The next thing I remember is sitting against my wall, my entire body hurt and I could barely keep my eyes open. Suzie was still crying, I could hear her banging on my closet door. She needed to be quiet or she could get hurt... why can't I stand up? 

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"It'll be fun! you get to spend the summer in Japan, get away from everything here, and meet your godmother! Inko is beyond excited to have you spend the time with her and her son." My Mom tightened the straps on my backpack and wiped the tears from my eyes. 

5 weeks, 5 weeks in Japan to see Mama's friend, and then I get to come home again. Mama said that Inko did an exchange program with my Tio and that's how they met. Hopefully, she's nice, I saw a picture and she looks really pretty. 

"The plane trip was long, but I had a nice flight attendant who showed me all kinds of cool places with her quirk! She can show an image of wherever she thinks of if she's been there before, she said that's why she likes flying." Inko's son Izuku had been asking me all about the trip since they picked me up. 

"Miss Midoriya? My Mama said I had to give you this letter." I handed a folded piece of paper to Inko.  I think it's Mama giving her information on my leg, the Doctor said that it was going to hurt for a long time. I want it to get better so I can play soccer with my friends when school goes back,  We're the best under-11 soccer team in the county!

"Oh... Oh dear. Ivory, hunny. Did your Mom tell you what the letter was about?" Inko had stopped and crouched down in front of me, she looked worried, like Allmight when I woke up in the hospital last month. I shook my head at her question which seemed to upset her more. 

"Okay - well, we're just gonna stop by somewhere and get you two a snack while I call someone. Is that okay?" Izuku and I both nodded. I wonder why she looks so sad now, I hope everything is okay. 

"Yagi, no - I have the letter right here. Yes from Julianna. I'm sure. Yagi! I need you to come by tonight so we can talk face-to-face. No - No! I can't just take another kid in, I understand your concerns but - I'm not having this conversation again, I'll see you tonight" Inko looked even more stressed now, she was fighting with someone on the phone and shoved Mama letter into her pocket before directing us out of the cafe and taking us home. 

Izuku was showing me all of his Allmight stuff, he was telling me all about one of his posters when Inko knocked on the door. It looked like she had been crying, I think that was from her calling Mama. 

"Ivory, I want you to meet someone. Izuku, stay in here for a little while please." I followed Inko out to see a man walking backward and forward near her TV. He was muttering to himself. Inko cleared her throat and I waved when he turned to look at me, he looked like the man who gave me flowers last month. 

"Ivory, Hi!" The man let out a loud breath that sounded almost like he was laughing. "You probably have no idea who I am. My name's Yagi Toshinori, I'm your dad. Your Mom's asked me to take care of you for a while, is that okay with you?" He seemed really nice, and Inko trusted him. 

"You're going to stay with me for a week while your Dad does some paperwork, but after that, you'll be staying with him. Don't worry though, you will still see me and Izuku all the time!" I let out a nod at Inko's words. 

"How long is a while? Am I still going home after the summer?" Inko and Yagi looked at each other before shaking their heads. 

"Ivory, kiddo. Your mom thinks it would be better for you to come and live with me.  That means you'll be going to school in Japan after the summer ends." Yagi was knelt in front of me, his hands on my shoulders. I wasn't going home? 

The next month went by quickly, I had moved into Papa's house and he was trying to find a new doctor to see my leg. Izuku came over a couple of times, Papa was his Dad too! I have another little brother!

"Ivory, I wanted to talk to you about your name. I work with some really dangerous people, and I don't want you to get hurt okay? I spoke to some people and we think it would be best if you didn't go by Ivory Toshinori right now, at least until it's a bit safer." Dad seemed stressed again. 

"Why can't I use my name?" I watched as he sighed again. 

"Do you remember that man that came to your house in Texas? He wanted to hurt you because he knew it would upset me. I don't want that to happen again, so we need to change your name so he can't find you. We can just take bits from your real name." He wiped a stray tear from my eye, but I could see him look down at my leg as he spoke. 

"How about we come up with the new name together? It can be like your own superhero secret identity!" I let out a wet giggle as I nodded. We spent hours trying to find the right one. 

"Mai, Mai Tori. I like that one" Papa nodded at my suggestion, writing it down on a form. 

"Okay then, Mai Tori it is."