Chapter Text
The world was big, loud, colorful and beautiful. It was also unfair, evil, dreary and lonely. At least that was Kaito's experience; the world was not kind or full of wonders. It picked its favorites, the people it deemed its favorites and left the rest to rot. It didn't care if you were an innocent child, a criminal or an elderly person. If you weren't its favorite then it didn't give you any favors. But that's how it worked and Kaito was used to that by now.
Kaito was an unwanted child. Her biological father (Kenzo Takami) was sleeping with her biological mother (Akemi Yuen) not long before he was arrested by the pro hero Endeavor. Akemi, not expecting to conceive a child, didnt want to feel like she was chained to a jailed thief and murder. Akemi didn't want attachments, she knew that Kenzo already had a son with his wife, as a result she felt guilty for bringing a child into this complicated world. So, when she originally found out she was pregnant with a child she wanted to terminate the pregnancy. She wanted nothing to do with the man or his previous family; she didn't want to ruin her reputation or have anything to do with Kenzo who lied to her about who he was.
When her family found out they pressured Akemi to keep the pregnancy since they didn't believe in abortion and they thought it was shameful to destroy life. It was a painful ordeal for the woman - carrying an unwanted child whilst trying to ignore the painful feeling in her heart. The pain turned to hatred and blame on the unborn child. The child who hadn't asked to be brought into the world was now seen as the cause of the Akemi's suffering. It was unfair and unreasonable (how could a child be the cause of Kenzo lying and being arrested) but she didn't care.
When Kaito was born, Akemi decided she would only support the child with the bare minimum. The woman blamed that child for being the reason her repuataion was shattered and Kaito also reminded her of Kenzo everyday. She named her Kuri after her mother recommended the name. she didn't want the child either so he put her in a room with a bed, two toys and books that seemed too complex for a child to read. At regular times she would give her some food and water but only enough to keep her alive and looking healthy enough in case anyone saw her on accident. From the outside it was obviously an abusive and evil way of looking after a child but Kuri didn't know that. She was oblivous to how differently she was being treated compared to other kids.
When her quirk developed at 4 years old it made her mother hate her more. Her quirk ended up being a combination of her biological parent's quirks; her father had a feather quirk and her mother possessed fire. Kuri developed a pair of lovely, midnight black wings that faded into grey sprout from her back and would be covered with fire if her emotions got too out of control. Kuri was enamored with her wings, she thought they were beautiful and they felt amazing when she ran her small fingers through the feathers. Her mother had a different opinion though. She thought they were hideous, took up too much space and were useless. It was from that day that made Kuri hide her wings under a jumper anytime she left her room.
When she was ten, Kuri was told she could start doing chores around the house because she was old enough. Akemi told her that it would be a waste if she took up space and food but did nothing in return for her. So, every day Kuri would vacuum the house top to bottom except for Akemi's bedroom and study because they were "private" areas and she wouldn't want her "filthy hands" and "obnoxious feathers" messing anything up. It was tough for Kuri as she grew up and was told that she was filthy, unwanted, a mistake, a burden, soul sucker and an idiot bird. Those words were shouted at her, spoke to her, written to her and sometimes beaten into her. When doing chores she would hear different snipets of conversations between people or people talking to themselves. She heard that her bio father, had another child with his legal wife, called Tomi, who was being trained to be a hero, the woman didn't know about Kaito and some sypathising with the unknown child and saying how mad and upset he would be if he found out about Kaito. She wasn't exactly sure who the child was but on that day the ten year old decided she was never going to meet the child. If what the people said was true, she didn't want to make anyone else mad at her.
It wasn't often that Akemi would hit her. She only did it when it was just them and she had done something really bad like take some food from the kitchen or when she would disturb her when he was talking to clients. She would punish her after they left but it still hurt. She was left with bruises and scars but no one could help. She didn't attend school, barely went outside and wasn't allowed out her room when people were over. The ten year old turned eleven then twelve and thirteen and Akemi's behavior didn't change in fact it got worse. The beatings weren't as often but her presence was ignored a lot more. They go for weeks without even seeing each other. It was hard on her but she grew to live with it; she began to like being solitary.It gave her more time to study and read the few books she was allowed to have, in fact she was able to pick up some french because she was left alone so often. The silence was a friend and was kinder than the loud shouts and things breaking. It was at this age when she decided that she didn't want to have anything to do with her biological mother than she needed to so she decided to change small things about her. The first thing she changed was her name, it took weeks to choose two names she liked. The first was Akari (meaning brightness) and the second was Kaito (meaning soar/fly). It took another week to decided on the name Kaito as she though it matched her quirk quite well.
It was a week after her fourteenth birthday, that she had spent and celebrated alone, when her life was flipped around. Akami knocked on her door with an impassive face. When Kaito opened the door a backpack was shoved into her hands before Akami spoke, "Kenzo has died in prison and therefore no one can stop me from kicking you out. You have an hour to leave or I will force you out. Inside the bag is some space food and some water; there is an envelope with some cash inside for emergencies. Don't come back. Don't try to contact me."
Through tears of losing the only place she had ever called home she left after stuffing a few more jumpers into the bag. The city was big and loud. Too loud. There were lots of people but no one came to help the fourteen year old who sat in the same alley day in and day out. She watched the people pass by, some with pity in their eyes and others with disgust. They all had one thing in common though; they thought a hero would help. They didn't help because they thought the heroes would. They never did, of course, they had bigger problems than a child sitting in an alley all alone, dirty, hungry and very alone.
Kaito had been in the world for six months when she was approached by a strange man one day. She had gotten used to stealing and pick pocketing people for money. She had learned to defend herself from other trying to rob her and learned how to harness he quirk better for self defense, it was all learned through practical experience. So, when this man approached she was ready for a fight; she wasn't going to give up her stuff easily. Except he didn't strike her, threaten her or even just walk past her. He crouched down and reached his hand out, enticing Kaito to take it. When she eyed him wearily he introduced himself as Ankoku and said he was part of a group of criminals. He told her that he wanted to help her, give her somewhere to stay instead of being on the street. Being the first person to show her an once of kindness in years she couldn't help but let herself believe the man.
It took a week for the kindness to leave. In its place was a cold, manipulative man. He pressured Kaito into working for his gang as a debt collector as a way to repay him for the food and shelter he had given her. She would remember her first kill for the rest of her life. It was a man in his thirties who was 200,000¥ in debt. She had to shoot him three times when he didn't pay up. She tried to shoot him in the chest but missed and shot his leg. She tried again but missed and got his stomach. She felt so sick at hearing the man beg and plead for mercy and she wanted to give mercy. She really did! She tried to give him a quick death but she had never held a gun before let alone shot someone.
The man fell the the ground in pain and Kaito took the most effective method and shot him in the head. This time she hit the intended target and he crumpled down, lifeless. His eyes were hollow and the crimson blood spread across the alley like a flood. She felt sick. She just killed a man! He probably had family, friends, a job even! She heaved in the corner of alley for what felt like hours but was actually just five minutes before a ringing sounded from her pocket. Digging out the old flip phone she had been given for commutation, she answered the call.
"Is it done?" A deep, raspy voice came from the other side of the phone.
"Yes." kaito said trying to hold in the tears that had welled up in her eyes from the heaving.
"What are you still there for then? Get back here." The voice ordered and Kaito nodded before realizing they couldn't see her.
"On my way." Kaito said before folding the phone and putting it back in her pocket.
This cycle of asking a client for the money, them saying they didn't have it, shooting them and then returning back to base continued without interruptions for a year. A year of becoming numb to death. A year of telling herself not to trust anyone again, even if they appeared kind. Her inner child cried at what she had become - she was still only a child after all.
Her 2037th client was just the same. (She had been keeping count of how many lives she took out of guilt and swore she would remember even person she killed murdered) He was a wealthy businessman, wealthy was a lie but his appearance gave off that vibe, and her boss had arranged for him to meet Kaito in an alley. She stopped wondering why they would agree to meet in a shady, unpopulated place when she made the mistake of asking the boss and was hit for it. She didn't ask him anything after that.
She approached the man and frowned at his smell, it was like he ran a marathon hadn't taken a shower afterward. It was pungent and Kaito didn't want to stick around longer than she had to.
"Mr Takahashi?" Kaito asked, voice level and assertive.
The man's head turned so fast Kaito thought he would break his neck. "Who are you? You aren't Ankoku."
Kaito sighed, it was always the same questions. Who was she? Why is a girl working for Ankoku? She got fed up at first and approached the boss on what she should reply with and he gave he the moniker 'Angel of death'. Unfortunately it was poor coincidence that it fit with her quirk; terrible coincidence but she was not going to bring it up with him so she just nodded and went on with her day.
"I am the angel of death and I work for Ankoku." Kaito introduced herself before leaning on the wall of the filthy alley, "Do you have our money?"
The man looking nervous and guilty. Kaito narrowed her eyes at him and he stuttered out a, "No but I can get it to you in a week."
Kaito sighed loud enough that the man jumped slightly, "Look, we have already given you an extension. You either pay today or you die today."
"What?! That can't be right! I didn't agree to that?!" The man began to raise his voice, in panic or anger Kaito wasn't sure.
"I advice you to quiet down. We don't want to attract the heroes." She said to the man but he didn't listen to her and kept shouting that he didn't sign his life away and that she can't just kill him. Getting annoyed Kaito said, "This is the last warning you'll get. Shut up!"
"No need to get so angry." A voice from above the pair chuckled.
Kaito and the man quickly snapped their gaze upwards to the voice. A man was stood on the roof the building Kaito was leaning against. Quickly moving away from the wall, she moved to the other side of the alley to get a better look at the man. He was of average height, about 5'8" if Kaito had to guess, and was decked out in hero gear.
"Just great." Kaito mumbled to herself and glared at the man who attracted this hero.
This was not on her calendar tonight. Her boss would also not be happy. Mr Takahashi saw her glare and smirked at her before running away.
"Hey!" Kaito yelled at him but didn't give chase because there was still an unknown hero yet to come down from the roof and fight her.
"Looks like he made a run for it." The hero said and he jumped down from the roof, a shadow behind him slowed his decent.
Backing up a bit more so she could watch the man carefully, she was not going to underestimate this hero. She pulled out her gun and held it tightly in her hand; she was not dying without a fight. He would have to either kill her or knock her out to arrest her.
He seemed to notice her rigid posture and said, "Woah there. There's no need for a gun."
Kaito raised an eyebrow at the man, "Really now? Then what are you going to do if not arrest me?"
"Firstly," The hero said and the shadows behind him moved Kaito finally took a better look and she couldn't believe her eyes. Wings! This guy had wings, just like hers. What the hell?! The hero was either oblivous to her inner monologue or just didn't care because he talked like nothing was wrong, "I don't even know who you are."
The hero paused and Kaito waited for him to continue. They both stood in silence for a few seconds before Kaito finally realized thatt was a cue for her to introduce herself but how was a good question. She didn't like the moniker 'Angel of death' it sound grim and weird. She took her mind back to some books she had been able to read and quickly picked a name from there to go by, "I am Diablo."
The hero but his hand on his hip and tilted his head slightly, "I'm the pro hero Hawks. It's a pleasure I'm sure."
"Not really." Kaito grumbled at the hero and he laughed.
"I get that." The hero suddenly stopped laughing at said in a serious voice, "I am going to have to arrest you though."
"Try me." Kaito gritted out as she shot a bullet towards him and quickly ran down the alley. If Kaito's quick calculations are correct then he shouldn't be able to use his wings to fly in the cramped space of the alleys and she was pretty sure she could out run most people. Speed was her specialty after all.
She darted around corners and scaled walls but the thundering of footsteps still resonated behind her. It was like being chased by death; escapable but persistent. He didn't give up for a good five minutes; Kaito was growing tired but surely he was as well. He would leave her alone soon, right? Another two minutes later and he was still following, still persistently tracking her every move. She took a left at a cross road in the alleys and came across a dead end. She didn't have time to turn around and leave because Hawks soon blocked the exit
"You sure are quick." He panted clearly tired. "But the fun is over. Surrender now."
Kaito gritted her teeth and scanned the area for any escape. Any way out of this at all. But the wall were bare of any loose bricks, the bins weren't tall enough to boost her over the wall and just like Hawks couldn't use his wings, Kaito couldn't use hers because of the space and wanting to keep them hidden. Just when she thought her options had run out a purple fog began coming from the right wall of the alley. Both being slightly concerned, they moved to the left side of the alley and away from the purple fog.
Kaito looked over to Hawks to see if he knew what was happening. Hawks had a strange glint in his eyes, he knew something but wasn't going to inform Kaito. Turning back to the fog, Kaito watched as a figure began being formed from the fog. Glowing yellow eyes pieced through the fog as the person(?) stepped away from the wall. They wore a suit and had a weird metal collar around their neck. they definitely didn't look like a hero...
"I apologize for the interruption," The mist eloquently spoke, "However, it is pertinent that this young lady must come with me."
Hawks raised an eyebrow, "And you are?"
The mist fully turned to Hawks to introduce its self, "I am Kurogiri. Its a pleasure." Kurogiri then turned to face Kaito who regarded him with caution, a villain wouldn't interrupt a hero unless they were confident they could get away and that required power. "Now, I'm sure you have questions but those can be answered later." To Kaito's right more mist started to appear but in an oval shape, "If you would be so kind as to step through the warp gate."
Kaito raised an eyebrow, "How am I supposed to know you wont kill me?" It was a valid question. A random villain popped up out of nowhere to help her escape a hero. It was unheard of unless you were part of a powerful enough group. Her boss had probably massed a lot of enemies over his time.
"I'm sure you are smart enough to realize if i wanted you gone I wouldn't have intervened." Kurogiri reminded her before once again telling her, "Quickly then, Go through. I'll follow in a mere moment."
Kaito had to quickly decide between getting arrested by the one person she wanted to avoid or go through a mysterious teleportation mist and end up who knows where. Teleportation mist it is. At least if she died she wouldn't have to deal with Hawks and any questions he might ask after seeing her quirk. Quickly turning to the right, she moved towards the mist and cautiously put her arm through as if testing it. Right before she stepped through she heard Hawks protest but being swallowed by the purple gas blocked him out.
When the gas cleared she was in a warehouse type of building; it has concrete floors and metal walls. There was a few holes in the ceiling but they were big enough to be concerning. There was a cool draft coming from the open set of door on either end of the building. A sound came from behind her and she swiftly turned around to see where it came from. A man was sat in a comfortable looking chair strapped to dozens of machines; honestly Kaito wasn't sure if he was a villain or just a very sick, old man.
"Hello Kuri. I hope your journey wasn't too rough." The man said through an oxygen mask.
Kaito eyes widened, her birth certificate was sealed (Akumi made sure of that) and she never gave anyone her actual name, legal or not. This man had somehow managed to get her name, not the one she used but her legal one that no one was supposed to know. Kaito frowned but did not speak, not knowing how much this mysterious man knew about her. She had to be cautious and play this smart. The villain who 'saved' her had purposefully brought her here for a reason so maybe this was the "boss".
"There is no reason to be cautious of me. Lets introduce ourselves shall we." The last part could be a question but he said it as a demand, "I'm call All For One and run a criminal group called the League Of Villains."
Kaito contemplated for a few seconds whether to actually introduce herself or ignore the guy but she didn't want to anger him just yet. With a deep breath she introduced herself, "I got by Kaito not Kuri." Kaito observed the man to see if he would get angry over Kaito correcting him not he seemed to take it in stride instead.
"Alright, Kaito it is. I have brought you here to give you an offer." All For One said, "I would like you to work with us and in return I will grant you a quirk."
Kaito's face remained carefully blank whilst she thought things over. She was already working for a criminal group so it wouldn't be too much change. They had saved her from being arrested but the quirk part was a problem. She already had a quirk, she didn't need another. There was no reason to have two. Kaito decided to address this with All For One, "I don't mean to be rude but I already have a quirk. I don't need another."
All For One seemed to hum in either contemplation or surprise, "What quirk do you have? I don't remember gathering any intel over you having a quirk."
Deciding she might as well dive in head first at this point since she had decided that, if she deemed what she got in return as valuable enough, she would join the LOV. Unzipping her hoodie, she tossed it to the ground and let her wings spread out a bit. Concentrating, she lit her wings up in flames like she had been practicing. Early on she had learnt that her flames don't hurt her or her wings; she had called the quirk phoenix like she had read about. "I call it phoenix."
"That is good." AFO said with a odd undertone that Kaito couldn't decipher. "Alright, what do you want in return for helping me?"
Kaito hadn't anticipated him asking her what she wanted, "I guess, I just want to live my life freely. I want to do as I please with no regard for my past or family ties."
AFO hummed once more before replying, "You are related to the pro hero Hawks if my information serves me right." He recalled and then asked, "Do you want me to do away with him?"
"No." She replied quickly, "That's not necessary."
"Alright." AFO agreed easily, "You can stay at the LOV base and food will be provided. We give our associates some money to buy any gear or clothing they want when they join." He then paused before he made a noise as if he remembered something, "I have a specific job for you in mind."
Kaito nodded as she took in the information before tilting her head at his last sentence, "What is it?" She asked, curious on what he wanted her to do.
"I want you to go undercover into UA in the new first years." He stated, "I need inside information on new heroes and teaching staff. Rumor has it that the number one hero All Might is going to start teaching there."
Kaito processed the request in her head and calculated the logistics. She was of the right age, her quirk would be helpful in the entrance exam and it is considered a 'heroic' quirk. It has a high rate of succeeding and if this was how she was going to get a bit of stability then she saw no problem with it. "Alright," She agreed, "I'll do my best."
"Good," AFO motioned to Kurogiri who had been stood behind AFO the whole time, "Take Kuri, my apologizes, Kaito back the base and help her get set up."
Kurogiri nodded and opened a warp gate for Kaito, "If you would."
With less reservations, Kaito stepped through the fog - ready to start her new life.