Midori the Mama

First Glimpse

Bakugo did his best to keep Izumi preoccupied over the next two weeks. He gave Shoto all the information he'd collected and any new updates on Izumi. In return his partner worked tirelessly tracking the man who had given Izumi an evening cab ride.

"According to the authorities Doppelganger's body was missing from the crypt along with all the personal possessions his next of kin had buried him with." Shoto reported looking over the files.

"His sister, right? Has she been informed?"

"She was found dead in her suburban home along with her husband. Definitely Doppleganger's M.O. as the cause of death was a mix of blunt force trauma and strangulation."

Bakugo grimaced and his grip on the phone tightened.

"He killed his own sister? That can't just be a random killing. She had to have helped him stage his death, then he killed her to cover his tracks." Bakugo kept his voice low and looked over his shoulder to make sure Izumi wasn't lingering around and listening in. "That was definitely him in the cab, I'll never forget those eyes. He damn near killed Izumi the last time the two of them duked it out... why did he leave her alive?"

"He's playing a totally different game this time. A lot like Monoma and Himeko he's able to take on the appearance and quirks of others for a short period of time... but according to the camera footage you dug up he was in that cab with Izumi for nearly a half hour which is way past his normal allotted time."

"So either he got better, or something or someone has been helping to enhance his quirk. It could be that's where the difference lies..." it chilled him to the bone. "Keep digging and keep all the sidekicks on alert. Also pass the word to the other pros, particularly ponytail and round face. I want to make sure when Izumi goes on those girl trips they're keeping a close eye on her and their surroundings."

"How is Izumi?" Shoto asked setting the file down. "Has she remembered anything from before?"

"Not entirely, but she has been having nightmares every other night. She says the contents are too blurry and incoherent to really make much sense of them: a lot of noise, screaming, rushing movement and shadows." Bakugo rubbed the bridge of his nose feeling a headache coming on. "I'm pretty sure she's remembering the attack, but the details are still slipping by... I can't keep lying to her."

"Then don't, tell her the truth." Shoto advised and got a grunt of frustration from Bakugo.

"I don't want to upset her. It's bad enough she's having the nightmares. I want her to remember on her own. If I suddenly spill that All Might-"

"Kya!"

"Shit!" Bakugo cursed. "I'll call you back." He hung up and rushed down the stairs. "Usagi!? What is it? What's wrong?"

He froze on the last step seeing his wife cuddling a ball of fur.

"He's so cute!"

"Oh fuck me." He plopped onto the step and hung his head between his knees as relief washed over him. "It's just the stupid cat."

"He is not stupid, what he is, is adorable!" Izumi held him out admiring the calico. It was a full grown cat, but its size was petite. "I saw all that stuff for a cat, but I hadn't seen one around."

"He comes and he goes, he's an outdoor cat and likes to wander in other people's yards and stuff. He's got a collar on so if he lingers too long someone always drops him back over here." Bakugo tapped his fingers on his knee, dying for a cigarette. After the last incident he swore this time he would quit, otherwise she'd end up using his crutch against him. Some would call it vindictive... but he called it strategic on her part. When normal asking didn't work, Izumi found ways to nag, negotiate, and wheedle him into doing what she wanted with little to no screaming and yelling.