Puppet Master

Freedom And Fear

Holy cowl!

Shoto's fingers pounded on his phone screen.

Todoroki:

THE Nedzu?

Izuku:

Yes.

No way! Shoto put his phone in his pocket and crept down the hallway, a risking move but he wanted to see this. He peeked around the corner to get a view. Sure enough, there was the little mouse-bear-dog on the shoulder of a tall man with long black hair and a weird white scarf. There were a few police in the back too!

"What is the meaning of this, Nedzu?" Endeavor's voice was oddly restrained, not like his usual angry tone. He respected this creature. The principal smiled and held up a piece of paper. "We have reason to believe that unlawful acts are taking place in this household and have gotten a search warrant." Endeavor stiffened. "I am sure there is nothing unlawful happening." The mouse-bear-dog smiled sending shivers down Shoto's spine.

"I don't care, Enji." Shoto gawked at the use of Endeavor's first name. "I have a search warrant signed by me personally and I am sure you know what sort of leverage my name carries so I do believe that it would be in your best interest to move aside." Endeavor hesitated. "Now, preferably." Shoto had to stifle a chuckle. Endeavor scowled. "Fine." He stepped back. Shoto took this time to run back to his room.

He closed his door quickly. "Okay, okay, okay, think. They are here because Izuku sent them after abuse of me so the greatest way to make this a sure-fire way to get him caught is..." Shoto nodded to himself. He ran over to the first aid kit under his bed. Shoto pulled it out and opened it. Shoto sat on the ground next to it and pulled off his shirt to reveal already applied bandages. He bit his lip and peeled them off painfully. Shoto threw them into the trashcan in his room specifically for that. He looked in his mirror. Shoto narrowed his eyes. He had a large burn from tonight's training over his right shoulder blade. It was still red and bubbly and looked disgustingly painful. He also had a nice sized purplish-yellow bruise forming on his left side, barely visible from the back but visible enough. Shoto nodded and purposefully positioned his back to be facing the door.

He didn't particularly enjoy being exposed like this but it was better than being beaten.

Shoto prepared a new roll of bandages out in his hands to make it look as though he was just applying them and waited.

He swallowed. Shoto could smell smoke from the hallways. Endeavor was getting angry. He waited thirty minutes before almost giving up hope that they would check this side of the house but he soon heard the footsteps of multiple people coming down the hallway. This is it!

*Knock Knock*

"Shoto Todoroki," an unfamiliar voice came through, "this is Detective Tsukauchi. We are doing a search of your house. May we enter?" Shoto's heart lept. "Yes." The door opened. Shoto looked over his shoulder. He could see the look of horror on the faces of everyone, even Endeavor, when their eyes came to rest on his back. He knew that the horror from Endeavor was more anger.

The people filed in. The black-haired man with Nedzu on his shoulder came and crouched by him. "We are from Izuku," he whispered quietly. Shoto bit his lip and nodded. Louder, the man continued. "What happened to your shoulder and side? Do you need help?" Shoto's eyes flitted to Endeavor behind them. His heart dropped at the glare. Suddenly, all of that confidence dropped.

What do I say? Even if they have the documents, that hasn't stopped Endeavor fro hiding it before. There is nothing I can do-

"Endeavor," the tired man turned to the man behind him, "please leave the room." Shoto's eyes widened. Endeavor growled. "Why should I? He is my son and this is my house. I don't have-" The man suddenly stood and glared up at the man, hair raising. Despite the height difference, the raven-haired man gave off such an intimidating aura that even Endeavor stepped back.