Chapter Text
Izuku was perched on Ei’s shoulders, scanning the crowded airport for Mei. Himi was holding a glittery sign with her girlfriends name on it in neon pink. Colorful explosions were drawn on in puffy paint.
“Mi Mi!” someone shouted and Izuku spotted the crowd parting for a security guard chasing a pink haired girl across the pick-up zone.
“Mei Mei!” Himi cried, running to hug the inventor. Mei picked her up and spun her. No matter how much training Himi did, Mei was always stronger. That was how Himi liked it.
“Stop!” the guard shouted, skidding to a halt beside the giggling girls. He bent over, breathing heavily.
“I have— to confiscate— your bag,” he gasped.
“Mei— what did you do?” Ei asked.
“It's just a nuclear core for one of my babies,” Mei replied. Ei groaned while Izuku twittered in amusement.
“Mei! You can’t transport radioactive devices on commercial flights!” Ei scolded.
“It's inert,” Mei argued
“You can’t— bring it into Japan— without the proper— permits,” the guard continued to wheeze.
“I have the permits.”
Aizawa and Tsukauchi appeared. The detective held up a file stuffed with the various permissions Power Loader and Nedzu had to secure so Mei could bring her newest babies back to Japan.
After a quick trip to customs that turned into a two hour wait to get Mei’s checked bag back from the bomb squad after they x-rayed a whole suitcase full of circuit boards, they were on their way to UA.
“How was I-Island?” Himi asked, holding what looked like a robotic hand perfectly steady while Mei tinkered with the wrist.
“It was amazing! There were so many cool babies and Melissa let me build a couple of the robots for next year's I-Expo. No one is going to be able to beat the record.”
Mei had spent the entirety of the last term on I-Island. It had been hard on Himi. She had been worried Mei would get so lost in her work she would forget to call but it never happened. Mei always called every Saturday and they would talk for hours or just go about their lives knowing the other was there.
The car pulled into the underground garage at UA. They stopped by the support lab to drop off Mei’s many bags and headed to Nedzu’s office. He had scheduled a meeting with the whole crew for when Mei got back and Izuku was curious about what his mentor wanted.
It was the summer break before their final year at UA. It was crazy to think that they had only gotten their provisional licenses a year ago.
The door opened before they could knock and Tsukauchi left them to their fate. Inside, Nedzu was serving tea to Kacchan, Hitoshi and Shouto.
“Welcome back Mei!” Shouto greeted, smiling warmly at her.
“I'm glad to be back but I’m going to miss the state of the art lab. I wanted to steal that 3D printer,” Mei replied, squeezing into an armchair with Himi. Izuku took his regular seat crouched on the ottoman Nedzu had gotten just for when they played chess while Ei took a seat beside Shouto. Aizawa found a dark corner and leaned against the wall. The fact that he wasn't in his sleeping bag told Izuku this meeting would be serious.
“It is thrilling to have the Crew back together,” Nedzu said, claiming his preferred armchair.
Izuku hadn't seen him relaxed like this in a long time. He had released the Legacy Project files not long after the Shei Hassaikai raid and it had prompted a complete reorganization of the HPSC. Nedzu was busy writing policy and putting in failsafes to prevent the kind of corruption that had resulted in Keigo, Kaina and others being exploited. Of course, he was also making sure UA would maintain their esteemed position as the best hero school in Japan.
“In fact, I would like to make sure you are never separated again,” Nedzu continued, sipping his tea calmly.
“What do you mean Principal-chan?” Himi asked.
“As you know, the six of you have long been considered an Ultra Agency and I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the inclusion of your faithful support partner,” he tipped his teacup to Mei. “The work you have done both as a team and individually can not be overlooked so I have a proposal.”
He pulled a file from between the cushions and placed it on the table.
“Inside are blueprints. I have already secured a location near the Menagerie. There has not been a steady hero presence in that area for far too long. Building starts in the fall.”
“Building of what?” Hitoshi asked, placing down his teacup full of coffee.
“Your hero agency.”
The office fell silent, every one of them stared at the principal. Nedzu’s eyes shone and his whiskers twitched.
“If you agree, when you graduate, the agency will be ready. UA is prepared to provide you with support for the first three years to teach you how to run it effectively. Gran Torino has agreed to be retained as a consultant. While he was an underground hero toward the end of his career he was a limelight hero in his youth. Of course, UA will continue to be a partner for as long as the agency endures.”
“This–this is— you— fuck!” Kacchan stuttered. No one had ever heard him speechless before.
“This has never been offered to any students in the history of UA,” Aizawa spoke up. “It wasn’t even a concept until you lot started training. It will be tough making a name for yourselves as rookies with a brand new agency but I have faith you can do it. You have exceeded my expectations from day one.”
It was high praise from their sensei and even higher praise from their dad. There was no way they could refuse even if they wanted to.
“Thank you Nedzu-sensei,” Izuku said. “We won't let you down.”
The rest of the Crew nodded in agreement.
“Oh Kit,” Nedzu replied. “That would be quite impossible.”
They left for the dorms not long after, their minds still reeling from the meeting. Halfway across campus Himiko stopped dead, causing the others to turn to her in concern.
“We—” she choked on her words, tears brimming in her eyes. “We’re going to be heroes.”
“Yeah Blood Bitch,” Kacchan replied in a much softer tone than normal. “We are.”
Himi started sobbing and laughing.
“We’re going to be heroes!” she screamed, raising her arms and face to the sky. Izuku twittered and grabbed her hands as they started jumping up and down.
“We did it Himi!” he cried. “We made it!”
Their friends descended on them, hugging and cheering, sharing in the elation of their resident vigilantes.
Shouto was smiling from ear to ear. He was going to be the hero he wanted to be with the people who loved and supported him.
Kacchan yelled in victory and dipped Hitoshi to kiss him. When they straightened the purplette pulled him into a tight embrace. They had worked so hard through grief and pain to make it here.
Mei took Izuku’s place clutching Himi’s hands. Himi cried about all the awesome babies Mei would be able to make and Mei wiped her tears, leaving a streak of grease behind and telling Himi how proud she was of her.
Ei picked Izuku up and spun them around and around. They couldn't stop laughing and crying, smiles wide and bright. They were more than they ever thought they would be, more than people assumed. They were going to take the world by storm with their friends by their side.
Once they had collected themselves they continued to the dorms, still glowing with happiness. When they entered they were greeted with absolute chaos. While the rest of campus was empty during the holidays Heights Alliance was bustling with activity.
“There you are!” Mina shouted, swooping in to grab Izuku and Shouto. “Your suits are here.”
She bullied them to the bathroom where two dry cleaning bags were hanging.
“Why did we agree to this?” Shouto asked, unzipping his navy suit.
“Because we love our brother,” Izuku replied, revealing an identical suit but with shorter pants like he prefered.
They got changed, tucking a red pocket square into their jackets and silently thanking Touya for not requiring them to wear a tie with their starched white shirts. They stepped out of the bathroom and met Himi who wore a form fitting navy dress with bell sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Her flats were red and so was the sparkly bracelet she was wearing. A chunky necklace of red glass hung around her neck.
“You all look amazing!” Mina gushed. She flitted around them, fixing one thing or another that Izuku was pretty sure didn't need to be fixed.
“So do you,” Himi countered. “How do I get one of those sweaters?”
Mina was wearing a black hoodie with familiar yellow horns printed on the sides of the hood. The front was covered in futuristic letters in hot pink. It was mostly gibberish but they could make out ‘Alien Queen' in a softer pink across the chest.
“Don't worry,” Mina laughed, her cheeks turning a magenta color. “There's one in your room.”
Mina’s work study with Uwabami had paid off in spades. The media savvy hero had helped Mina release a line of merch featuring SciFi themes and a little pink alien mascot. It had been a big hit, especially amongst people with unique skin colors and other mutations.
“Mina a l'air fantastique, oui?” Aoyama said, striding up to the group.
Speaking of people with new looks, Aoyama had gone through a complete rebranding. His costume now resembled a pirate. He had loose black pants tucked into knee high boots and a loose black shirt with ties at the neck. His deep red jacket was long and accented with gold at the cuff, collar and down the front. It had hidden pockets for gadgets and supplies. He carried a gun on his hip that looked like a flintlock but actually worked like a modern pistol. He had taken the name Pointe Creuse. Hollow Point. A bullet made more dangerous because of what it was missing.
Once Mina approved their fits Izuku and Shouto changed back into their street clothes, carefully hanging the suits back in their bags.
“Where’s Touya?” Shouto asked as they stepped into the common area again.
“Fourth floor,” Kaminari replied from where he was helping make gift bags. “Last room on the right.”
The brothers dashed up the stairs. Touya had been banned from the teacher’s dorm for the night but the 1A boys didn’t have a problem hosting him. They knocked on the door and it was wrenched open by a very grumpy Touya.
“What?” he snapped. Izuku and Shouta looked at each other then back at Touya, their brows raised.
“Okay, this is now an intervention,” Izuku stated, pushing his older brother into the room as Shouto shut the door. Touya sighed and collapsed in the desk chair, staring at the ceiling.
“What's on your mind Tou-nii?” Shouto asked, sitting on the bed with Izuku.
“I just want tomorrow to be perfect,” Touya replied.
“It will be,” Izuku assured him but Touya scowled.
“It can’t be! It can't be perfect because I'm— I’m not—” he fell silent.
“You're not what, Touya?” Izuku prompted. His brother groaned in frustration.
“I’m just—” he gestured at his whole self like that would be enough to convey his meaning. “And Keigo is— gorgeous . Why would he want to marry me?”
“Because he loves you,” Shouto said, stating the obvious.
“But he could do better!” Touya cried, jumping to his feet and pacing the room. “He's the number four hero for Kami’s sake!”
When Hawks was reinstated after the Endeavor trial Keigo’s rank dropped to fourth just behind Best Jeanist, Edge Shot and Ryukyu. He made his return to heroics by reopening the Aviary, renaming it to the Aerie. The first person he signed on was Tokoyami and Dark Shadow.
“I’m a former criminal that is basically on probation,” Touya continued. “I spent a third of my life homeless and half of me is burn scars. He's a successful and popular pro hero. Everybody wants him. No one wants me.”
Touya stopped and seemed to deflate. Time for sibling therapy.
Izuku stood and wrapped his arms around Touya’s waist, nuzzling his cheek into his chest.
“We want you,” he said. “We’ll never let you go and neither will Keigo.”
Cold and warm arms joined the hug.
“Keigo loves you because you don't care that he's the number four hero,” Shouto added. “His popularity is not a factor in how you feel and while you appreciate his looks, it's not the reason you love him.”
Touya stood stiffly for a moment longer before he relaxed and pulled his little brothers closer.
“Thanks guys,” he whispered. Izuku chirped.
“Don't worry. Tomorrow is going to be perfect,” he said.
Touya chuckled, his breath ruffling Izuku's hair.
—---------
“Don't you look pretty!” Izuku praised as Eri gave him a little spin. She wore a baby blue dress with a lacy skirt and her hair was braided into a crown of red flowers that matched her eyes.
Eri had been, unsurprisingly, adopted by the Tsuyamazawas. Aizawa had pulled the ‘my quirk is perfect for helping her control her power' card and taken her home the next day. She thrived with them and was ecstatic to have several dozen siblings. She visited the dorms often. Izuku had a collage of pictures featuring the little unicorn; cooking with Kacchan, playing dress up with Mina and the girls, reading a storybook to Kaminari, napping with Queenie. She was everyone's precious little sister.
Izuku left Eri and Tsukauchi in the living room to get changed. The class had promised the little girl a fashion show.
The inside of Izuku’s room was a little more cluttered, a little more lived in. He was rebuilding his figurine collection, trying to find something for every hero he met. Text books were piled on his desk and several pillows had made their way onto the climbing wall where he liked to lounge.
The biggest change was the tamaya he kept by the balcony doors. He went over to it and opened the shutters, lighting a stick of incense as he studied the photos. Most were duplicates of the ones on the Menagerie altar, kids they had lost since the Menagerie started. Izuku hoped they would be proud of how the shelter was doing. UA had raised funds to open another branch in the city where it all started and a few of the older kids were applying to UA next year. Most of them were aiming for heroics but Kessho was interested in business and Thos was going to general education with the goal of applying to teacher’s college.
Izuku lit three tea lights that sat in front of a framed photo.
While Izuku was in the hands of the Yakuza Kacchan and Shouto had been on a raid out west. When they came back, after scolding Izuku for his recklessness, they explained that they had broken up a fight ring. They brought him a photo of three girls with red eyes and straight black hair. It must have been taken before they became the Angels of Death because the triplets were all smiling at the camera.
Tsukuri, Kontoru and Iyasu had finally gotten justice.
Leaving the incense burning, Izuku got changed and made his way up to Touya’s room. His brother looked nervous but Izuku could tell it was just wedding day jitters. Shouto and Himi were already there.
“You ready?” Izuku asked.
“As I'll ever be,” Touya replied. He wore a navy suit like Izuku and Shouto but rather than just a white shirt underneath he had a navy vest. He also had a pair of gold chains around his neck, a gold watch and had switched out a couple of his piercings for gold versions. His hair was somewhat tamed but still held its natural wildness and his eyes were lined in black.
The four of them walked through the empty common room and across campus. The guests were all seated in white folding chairs. The altar was a rustic wooden arch covered in greenery with white wisteria hanging above. The aisle was lined with copper lanterns and more greenery. A fluttering white curtain hid the wedding party from the audience until it was time to start.
“Well, don't you look handsome dear,” Rei said kissing her eldest son on the cheek.
An investigation had concluded that Todoroki Rei was being kept against her will in a long term care home. She had been released and testified against her ex husband for spousal abuse and unlawful imprisonment. She had taken her maiden name and bought a house with the money from the divorce. She hosted family dinners every week.
“You look radiant mom,” Shouto said. Rei was in a silvery gray gown with three quarter sleeves and an intricate pattern of navy swirls across the hip and bodice.
“Weird Cat!”
Izuku chuckled as Dark Shadow rushed up and wrapped around his neck. Tokoyami had on a suit similar to Izuku’s but in the opposite color scheme. His was dark red with a white shirt and navy pocket square. The color made the rainbow sheen of his feathers stand out.
“Wonderful day for a union of souls,” the raven headed boy greeted cheerfully and Izuku had to agree. It was a beautiful summer day, warm without being hot and not a cloud in the sky.
“Is everybody ready?”
Nedzu peaked his head behind the curtain, his eyes moved across the assembled party before landing on Touya who took a deep breath.
“Let's do it.”
A minute later the music started. Touya took his mother’s arm and walked out. Izuku peeked through a gap in the curtain and watched him escort Rei to her seat between Natsuo and Fuyumi. Fuyumi had done a lot of reflecting after the trial and started seeing a therapist. She had apologized to her brothers for being part of the problem by turning a blind eye to Enji’s abuse. The three brothers had been happy to give her a second chance.
“Shall we?” Tokoyami asked, offering Izuku his arm. The shapeshifter hooked elbows with his classmate and stepped out from behind the curtain. Dark Shadow sat on Tokoyami’s shoulder like a cat.
The back rows were taken up by class 1A and 1B. They were dressed in their best and eager to see two of their favorite teachers tie the knot.
Next was the Menagerie kids. It was mostly the older ones; Thos, Ara and Artie, Muta, Akuma and Kassho. The rest had been appeased with an invitation to the reception later.
After that were the UA teachers and other heroes like Fat Gum, Nighteye, Gran Torino and Night Jumper.
The front rows were reserved for family.
Beside the Himuras were the Tsuyamazawas. Tsukauchi and Aizawa sat side by side. It was odd to see Aizawa in a tailored suit even if it was all black. Hitoshi was with his dads in a classic black suit with a purple tie that matched his hair.
The Bakugous were there too. Kacchan was holding Hitoshi’s hand and had on a matching suit with an orange tie. His dad wore a green tie that matched Auntie’s off the shoulder dress.
Just past the Bakugous Izuku could see Oboro in a familiar shirt and vest combo. He was fussing with Tomura’s collar. How the former Nomu had gotten his son into a dress shirt and slacks was beyond Izuku but he looked happier and healthier than ever.
Tomura was learning coding through the support course and talking about applying to college for game design. He streamed in his free time, often inviting members of 1A to play. The first night they played Mario Kart and the class realized that Tomura was Ashes was very entertaining to watch.
Oboro hadn’t figured out what he wanted to do now that he had his life back. For now he was content with making sure Tomura and Jin were adjusting okay but Izuku, Himi and Touya had discussed offering him a job with the shelter when their house arrest was lifted.
Jin was snickering at Tomura as he batted his dad’s hand away. He wore a charcoal suit with a black shirt and a cloth mask that was half black and half gray. After a lot of therapy Jin no longer needed to cover his whole face to feel safe. His quirk had been a boon to the heroics and support departments since he could clone both bodies and quirks. The work he was doing had inspired Nedzu to expand Hound Dog’s department to include in-house quirk counseling.
Izuku saw the Amijikis and waved to Tamaki who waved back sheepishly and leaned a little closer to Mirio who was beaming. Mirio was already in the top 100 just a few months after his official debut with Tamaki only a few ranks behind him. Fat Gum, All Might and Nighteye were very proud of them. Mimoto and Yunikon were in traditional kimonos, a seaweed green one for Mimoto and a cherry blossom patterned one for Yunikon. The healer had been a huge help training Eri and soon became a mother figure to the little girl. The fact that the two looked so similar was a great source of joy for them both.
Inevitably, Izuku’s eyes were drawn to a familiar shade of red. Since Izuku and Himi were in the wedding party, Ei had escorted Mei to the ceremony. Mei was wearing a plum pants suit and had her hair pulled back with a scarf in the same color. She was tinkering with a small capsule. Ei looked very dashing in a black suit and a silky red shirt. The top couple buttons were open revealing the quill laying against his chest. He winked at Izuku as they passed.
Izuku and Tokoyami moved to their respective sides and watched Himi and Kaina walk down the aisle followed by Shouto and Mirko. The two heroes wore the same dress as Himi but in a deep red with dark blue jewelry. Keigo had grown closer to both women over the last year and a half. He and Kaina had bonded over their shared history while Keigo had always wanted to be better friends with Mirko but the commission didn't approve of her attitude and general demeanor.
The music changed and everyone stood. Eri walked down the aisle first, very happy with the attention as she swished her skirt and scattered rose petals along the path.
Hizashi appeared next. He and Rei had coordinated their outfits so he wore a gray suit with a silvery tie. His blonde hair was intricately braided with the same red flowers his daughter was wearing woven in. He looked as incredible as ever but paled in comparison to Keigo.
The winged hero wore a completely white suit with accents of gold. He had delicate gold chains around his neck, gold rings on his fingers and a golden circlet in his hair. Even a few of his primaries were painted gold and someone had put makeup around his eyes, sharp eyeliner and red highlights with a touch of gold on the inner crease. It all worked together to make his wings and eyes pop.
Izuku glanced at Touya. The look of awe on his face and the wonder in his eyes as he watched this beautiful creature, this angel on earth, walk down the aisle to get married to him made Izuku’s heart sing.
“Hey Firefly,” Keigo whispered when he reached the altar.
“Hey Birdie,” Touya replied breathlessly.
They clasped each other's hands just as Nedzu started speaking.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Touya and Keigo as they pledge their hearts and lives to one another in matrimony. On this wonderful day two souls will be bonded before their loved ones and embark on a journey to grow and thrive together for all eternity. Touya, if you please.”
Touya took a deep breath and turned to Izuku. The cryptid squeezed his brother's hand as he took the ring.
“Keigo, I have loved you for as long as I can remember. Finding you again was a miracle, even if you were trying to kill me,” several people chuckled, including Keigo. “I love every part of you, from the way you hum when you cook, to the sleepless nights watching the stars and the feathers all over the apartment. You are my rock and my soft place to land. I will continue to love you for every second of our lives and every moment after. Will you take me as I am and do me the honor of being my husband?”
“Yes, of course,” Keigo said, his voice cracking and tears spilling from his sparkling eyes. Touya slipped the ring onto his hand. They had decided to stick with their engagement rings since neither wanted anything extravagant. The silver band with a ring of cerulean blue settled perfectly on Keigo’s finger. Keigo smiled brightly and wiped his cheeks.
“Bastard, you're going to make my makeup run,” he scolded quietly before turning to collect Touya’s ring from Tokoyami.
“Kimyona Touya. You were my first friend, my first love, the wind in my wings and my reason for living. You saved me and gave me a family. I love you wholly and truly, through sickness and health, joy and sorrow. Will you spend the rest of your life with me, my hero, my husband?”
“Until the end of time,” Touya vowed. Keigo slipped the silver band with a ring of red on Touya’s finger.
“By the power vested in me I now pronounce you wed, joined together by love and law. Go forth and live in happiness and health,” Nedzu said.
Everyone cheered as Touya pulled Keigo into a passionate kiss. Mei tossed whatever she had been tinkering with and it burst open, raining rose petals over the happy couple.
Izuku’s heart felt full, overflowing with the sound of joyous laughter and the sight of wide smiles and teary eyes.
He found Ei in the crowd. His boyfriend was clapping and cheering and Izuku couldn’t wait for the day they would have a wedding of their own.
*************
Queenie lay at the top of one of the many climbing walls built all over Home and watched everyone celebrate. She wasn’t sure what they were celebrating but she was always happy to have all her kittens and their friends near. Warm-kitten and Bird looked especially happy.
Home had been decorated in reds and deep blues with a touch of gold. There was fancy food and everyone had groomed themselves so they looked sleek and clean.
Warm-kitten and Bird were dancing alone but more pairs soon joined them. Blood-kitten and her Pink-mate, Angry-kitten and Purple-kitten, Loud-man and Hat-man, but Queenie was focused on Green-kitten. He and his Red-mate swayed and spun and didn't look away from each other for a moment.
She was proud of her Green-kitten, her baby.
She loved him dearly and no matter how much trouble he got into Queenie would never regret the night they met….
It had been a night like any other. She led her colony to their favorite place to keep warm and sensed that someone was already in the alley. Her wariness soon became concern when she smelled something bitter.
There was a little boy curled up in a doorway, barely protected from the freezing rain. His tiny body was shivering and wet but she could feel how feverish he was as she got closer. He smelled of poison and sweat and Queenie remembered the dumpster behind the little corner store. The colony had avoided it that day because someone had laced the food with death.
The poor kitten must have eaten it.
His life was draining before her eyes.
Queenie lay on his chest, feeling his heart beat slower and slower. He whimpered like even in his sleep he knew he was dying and didn't want to go.
In that moment Queenie decided this kitten was hers.
She knew she had a power but had never used it until then. She pressed their foreheads together and felt something lock into place, a tether between him and her.
It took him another hour to die and she yowled at the weeping sky when she heard his breathing cease and felt his heart stop beneath her paws. The tether gave a jolt and she felt cold for a moment as something was plucked from her chest.
Her kitten’s heart jumped and settled into a steady rhythm.
His breathing returned, strong and steady.
They had seven lives left.
If Queenie had been human with their silly names for everything, she would have called her quirk Life Share. It was the ability to share her nine lives with another person.
Her first life had ended in heartbreak, bleeding to death at the side of the road as her first litter was taken away in a black trash bag.
Her second life was now within this tiny green boy.
She and the colony kept him warm the rest of the night as he purged the last of the poison from his body. When he woke she scolded him for sleeping in the rain but was surprised when he grew ears and a fluffy tail. He looked scared and confused so she comforted him by grooming his ears. He growled at her for attacking the pest that was hiding in his fur. Her kitten was feisty, he would do very well with the colony.
At first she thought his transformation was a side effect of sharing her lives but soon learned that he had an interesting power all his own. He was smart and brave and she was so proud of him when he started protecting others, especially when he brought her Warm-kitten and Blood-kitten.
They lost their next life a couple years later. She woke up to the feeling of another life leaving her and screamed until Warm-kitten followed her to a secluded alley. Green-kitten had been stabbed but he got healed up and was back patrolling within a month. She may have followed him for a few nights just to be on the safe side.
Life went on. They moved homes, adopted a bunch more kittens and everything was going well.
Until the night someone invaded their territory.
Warm-kitten and Blood-kitten were out and Queenie was doing a patrol around the building when she came across strange people sneaking in the front door. She hissed and clawed at the first man before turning to warn Green-kitten. Her ribs snapped as she was booted across the room. She hit the wall and felt their fourth life snuff out instantly.
By the time she woke up their home was on fire. The minor healing that came with her quirk had only stabilized her ribs but she fought through the pain and searched the building for her kittens. She couldn't find them but she did find some of her fellow cats and helped them escape.
When they got to the backup home her kittens kept she learned that her sweet, brave, selfless Green-kitten was gone. He had sacrificed himself for the colony.
She knew he wasn't dead, she would have felt it, but he was no longer there and it broke her heart. His little lizard friend was just as devastated and Queenie tried to take care of her but she didn't make it.
Over the next year she felt Green-kitten die twice more and discovered that she could sense when he was close to death. It happened once or twice a month and Queenie didn't dare leave their new home in case she accidentally used a life. Her kitten needed them more than her.
There came a point when she realized Green-kitten hadn’t died or even almost died for a couple of months. Then, one day, she felt a heavy chill in her chest and knew he was at death's door. Warm-kitten got a call and rushed somewhere. When he and Blood-kitten returned Queenie knew her Green-kitten had been rescued. She could smell him on them. His fresh grass scent was tainted with blood and dirt but he was alive and reunited with his littermates.
He didn't see her for a couple more months but she saw him. She followed Blood-kitten to the Walled Place almost every day and watched as her sweet kitten healed and made friends with Angry-kitten, Purple-kitten and Red-kitten. When he finally returned home she was overjoyed.
Soon Red-kitten became Red-mate and Blood-kitten gained a Pink-mate. Warm-kitten and Bird were happy together even if she hadn't really approved of him courting prey at first. They brought their class-kittens around often and Queenie liked them. They gave good scratches.
There was another close call when her kittens went away for a couple weeks. She was terrified to learn that Green-kitten had almost been killed by a Monster but very proud to hear they had destroyed a Fire-beast. She even gained a new kitten. This one was warm and cold so she called him Cold-kitten to avoid confusion.
Then came the horrible day when they lost their seventh life. A couple nights before she had felt Green-kitten come close to death so she was restless and on alert. The Rescue-kittens were all in a tizzy so she went to see what they were doing. There was a massive battle happening on the magic wall and she could see Green-kitten and Bird fighting a Beast.
Queenie yowled when she saw her kitten get stabbed and tossed aside
A life violently rip out of her.
Instant death.
Even when the new life took hold she could feel him slipping away again. Her quirk didn’t heal much but it did grant a few minutes of immortality, enough to get help. Red-mate ran into the battle and made it to Green-kitten. Whatever he did pulled him away from death and her kitten was saved.
They moved in with their class after that but they still visited her at Home and sometimes she would climb a tree and jump into the Walled Place to see them.
A few months later the kittens went away again and Queenie hoped it wouldn't turn out like the last time.
She was disappointed.
She felt a life try to leave her but before it escaped it snapped back.
Someone had killed her kitten and then revived him themselves.
A few days later her kittens returned safe and not long after that she met her Grand-kitten, a little girl that smelled like the sun beams Queenie loved to nap in. She knew her Grand-kitten officially belonged to Tired-man, Loud-man and Hat-man but she could see how much Green-kitten and Red-mate doted on her.
In the following year lots changed. The number of Rescue-kittens grew, Pink-mate went away so Queenie made sure to spend extra time with Blood-kitten and she met Shy-kitten and his Smile-mate.
Queenie had enjoyed this life. It had its ups and downs, its trials and triumphs, but she had a family she could be proud of and kittens she loved dearly.
She was 14 years old. She could feel another life getting ready to fade but this time she wouldn't be coming back.
She would take their eighth life and leave the ninth for Green-kitten.
He would be okay.