Disclaimer: I don't own jack!

Suggested Listening: To Speak of Solitude by Brambles

Contradiction

Chisaki sat up. He brushed his palm over the back of his neck, noticing a thin layer of sweat that'd built up there in the process. His gaze slid towards the woman sleeping peacefully next to him. They hadn't had sex yet but he did allow her the pleasure of his touch. He focused his attention on the dark bruises he'd left upon her neck. They stretched from her collarbone up to the space beneath her jaw. Admittedly, he'd gotten too eager to rush things. She'd frozen the moment he'd slid his shirt off and clamored on top of her. That was the second he'd realized he'd gone too fast for her to handle.

The young man trailed the tip of his index finger along the contours of her cheek. Kagome gave a soft noise of complaint before sinking further into the sheets. He had to admit that there was something attractive about the image she currently made. Nude, face flushed from the pleasure he'd given her and the evidence of his attention etched into her flesh. His fingers flexed.

He wanted more.

Alas that would have to wait.

"Eri is waiting," Chisaki lowered his voice to speak. "You were the one who said that you didn't want to be late."

An azure eye cracked open, "It's your fault I'm sleepy now."

His lips quirked up into a faint smirk, "Are you saying that you enjoyed yourself?"

Her eyes narrowed at him thinly, "Like you didn't already know that." The young woman sat up. Sheets pooled around her waist, revealing her upper half to his view. Chisaki curled one arm about her hips—tugging her against him once more.

Kagome didn't fight him but she didn't lean into him either. She merely held still as he pressed his mouth to the nape of her neck.

"Forget the heroes," He began slowly. Little by little, he would chip away at the remainder of hope she had. He would destroy every last semblance of anticipation of being rescued. The sooner she gave up on the notion of the heroes coming to her aid, the easier it would be to mold her into his ideal. "You were drowning in a fanatical society. You're still drowning—waiting for the off chance of someone to come to your aid, but you know that's wrong." He folded both arms around her and tugged her onto his lap. "You don't have to subject yourself to society's expectations anymore. I want you apart of the Shie Hassaikai. You can be more than just a captive."

The words sounded sweet. He even tried to soften his tone as well to convey the message as plainly as he wanted to. Kagome was the sort of woman that required emotional attachments. That was something that was often difficult for him to forge. People were simply things. They were something he could control and use on a whim. However that did not mean that he was completely incapable of crafting a few necessary bonds. Making her feel needed on a deeper level would be his key. It'd already cracked the outer shell of her cool disposition. Kagome herself was making a great deal of headway in trusting him once more. She still did not want him near Eri but he would give her only that single compromise. He could not execute his experimentation while trying to work Kagome into his favor anyways. So granting her one concession wasn't going to hurt all that much. He'd simply have to watch their interactions from afar. At least until he could make sure that she wasn't going to run off with the child.

He still didn't quite trust her yet either.

"What exactly are you offering me, Chisaki?" She referred to his surname once more.

He hated that damn name. It was a reminder of everything he lacked. It served as a beacon of his humanity that he'd tossed aside so long ago. Yet the more she said it the more it caused the fire in his veins to heat and flare to life. He supposed that there was something intimate about her using his name versus his alias. Although he suspected that she partially referred to him as "Chisaki" just to get a rise out of him.

Golden eyes thinned, "I'm offering you a chance to become something other than a villain or a hero. I'm offering you a chance to carve your own path outside of society's expectations." He knew what she was getting at. She wanted to know if he planned on using her like a tool. Truthfully, yes. Once his plan was complete she would be his. His tool. His object to use as he saw fit: both for pleasure and for domination as well. She would officially be considered his partner but only they would know the true nature of their relationship. She would neither be his wife nor his captive. She would be something else entirely.

Kagome glanced up at him. There was a flicker of recognition in her gaze.

She knew.

"I think it's time we get going." The young woman disentangled herself from his grip. Chisaki merely watched as she began to gather up her clothing. It was the first time he noticed it but it almost seemed as if her body had gotten thinner in the few days he'd brought her here. Was she eating properly?

He rose to his feet, grabbing his shirt in the process and sliding his arms through the sleeves.

"Very well."

He'd let her think that she had a choice. He'd give her the impression that she had other options to choose from. The quicker she realized that he was the only one who could give her what she wanted, the quicker she would remain at his side by choice. Sex would just be a bonus.

Chisaki fastened his shirt. He swiftly slid his tie into place before glancing over at his companion.

"Let's go see Eri."

Kagome waited until the door closed behind her.

She knew that Chisaki would be listening in. He always was. So she would play this cautiously.

The young woman pressed her palm to her neck. She felt her face heat despite itself. As much as she despised him, her body had reacted on its own earlier. She'd allowed him to go much further than she initially intended. That would work to her advantage later. She just couldn't risk getting distracted before time. She would have to plan her next move carefully.

Kagome sank down onto her haunches next to the girl. A soft smile played upon her lips.

"Sorry I'm late Eri," She began slowly as Eri peered up at her. "But today I wanted to do things a little bit differently. It might be scary at first but I'll be right here with you, okay?" She lifted her palm towards her.

Scarlet eyes flashed with fear. A tiny hand slipped into her own.

"Will it hurt?"

She felt her heart twist unbearably within her chest, "No sweetheart. I promise it won't hurt." Kagome pulled the child within her arms in a small show of comfort. "Today I wanted to show you how to start controlling your quirk." Seeing the terror written plainly across her face, Kagome continued. "We won't activate it but we'll go through a few exercises that might help."

"Exercises?" Eri settled herself within her lap.

She nodded once, "That's right. What I'm going to show you today is something that my mother taught me when my quirk first manifested." She splayed both of her palms, allowing Eri to hold onto them. "You see Crystallize takes a lot of work to control. My mom only managed to learn a few things. She never became a hero because the power was too unpredictable. It's a lot like yours, Eri." Kagome allowed a few shards to form between their connected hands. "These have the power to help or hurt people depending on how we use them. It can heal, boost or destroy. It is only our will that determines how they're used. Your quirk is the same way."

She lowered her voice, "Yes Rewind can cause damage but you can do so many amazing things. That power lies at the tips of your fingers. What you decide to do with it going forward will determine the kind of person you become. Whether you help or hurt. Whether you decide to forge your own path or follow the one laid out before you. Everything will be decided on the actions you'll take in the future. You are not a label. You are your own person with a power that has the potential to be something utterly amazing."

Her smile softened, "Your quirk is a blessing."

Chisaki hadn't told her what he'd planned on using Eri's quirk for. He simply mentioned that Eri had no ability to control it. Yet with a power that strong there was no way he wasn't attempting to harvest it for some nefarious purpose. It'd be up to her to spare Eri from any more pain and suffering.

Tears formed in the corners of the girl's eyes.

She felt her tiny body shiver with silent sobs.

Kagome held her closer, "Just let it out. It's okay to cry."

Those were the words she'd needed to hear the most at her age. When her family had disappeared, she only had her grandfather to rely on. At the time he simply told her to smile and to keep pushing forward. However she would not do the same. Right now, this child needed to work through the emotions she felt. She needed to feel safe.

"Eri," Kagome started. "I want you to close your eyes. Think you can do that for me?"

She waited until the girl's sobs evened. Eri still shivered but it was less noticeable than it was before. The child did as she asked.

"That's great, now I want you to picture a vast ocean in front of you. Have you seen an ocean before?" Kagome questioned. She'd been kept so isolated it'd be hard to tell if Eri even knew what an ocean was.

"I've seen pictures," Eri answered quietly.

Kagome's smile softened, "That's good! Now imagine you're standing in front of that ocean. Your power is a lot like that. It's so vast and seems so untamed but you mustn't fear." She curled her fingers over the child's. "We're going to learn how to put a faucet in. Just like when you brush your teeth, you're able to turn the water on and off."

Eri remained silent as she spoke.

"That's what we're going to do with this ocean of power. So for now just picture it in front of you. In order to control it you need to get used to feeling it first. Think you can do it?" She felt Eri's fingers twitch within her grasp.

"I'll try." The girl's voice was soft and full of the concern she felt.

"That's perfectly fine. Now let me know once you're got a good image in your head." This would just be the start. Soon, Eri would be able to control it at will. Once she was capable of that, it'd be much easier for her in the future. She would be able to partake in normal activities children her age should.

"I… think I have it." Eri spoke softly.

Kagome nodded once more, "Now I want you to tell me what it feels like to stand in front of that ocean of power."

White brows pinched together, "It's… scary. I feel like I'll be swallowed up."

She pulled her further into her embrace, "It is scary at first, but remember that power belongs to you. It's an extension of yourself. Much like your fingers and toes. So you mustn't be afraid. Your power is your own to control."

One day that ocean will be yours to sail.

Her mother had said that to her once. Just like Eri, she'd been terrified of the power Crystallize had presented. She'd had no control. No ability to shape it as she wished. No ability to manage it whatsoever. The first time it manifested, she'd nearly skewered her father when he held her in his arms. It was by mere chance he'd been able to dodge the sudden shards that sprouted from her limbs like an array of horrifying spikes.

A golden glow emanated from the horn that'd protruded from Eri's forehead. Kagome's eyes thinned. Was it already manifesting?

Eri's breath suddenly came in a sharp gasp, "I can't stop it!"

The young woman lowered her voice, "It's alright. I'm right here with you." This would be their first true test. Rewind was dangerous. It could possibly force her out of existence if they weren't careful.

Azure eyes slid towards the door. She could already make out Chisaki's form heading towards the entrance. Kagome shook her head at him through the glass. She would not risk him damaging what little trust she'd managed to build up with Eri. The girl needed this.

"I want you to focus on breathing. Follow my lead," Kagome sucked a deep breath through her chest. Eri tried to follow suit but it was much more difficult for her. "Remember what I said, Eri. That power belongs to you. So right now I want you to imagine a faucet in your head. Some of the water is trickling out. So what do you do?"

"I have… to shut it off." Eri spoke slowly.

"That's right. You mustn't be afraid." She threaded their fingers together. "Keep breathing and imagine that you're turning a faucet off. Can you do that?"

The glow in the child's horn slowly began to fade and die away. What little power that'd leaked out ebbed and extinguished on its own.

"There you go, you've got this Eri." She reassured her calmly.

The young child peeked her eyes open, "Did it work?"

Kagome nodded, "It did. You managed to control Rewind." She wrapped her arms around her warmly, "I'm so proud of you!"

Tears formed in the girl's eyes. She buried herself in her arms as she began to sob once more. Kagome could only hold her as she cried.

Soon, she would free her from this fate.

Chisaki scratched at his chin curiously.

He'd told Kagome that he'd brought her on to help Eri learn how to control her quirk but he hadn't expected them to make headway so quickly. It was the first time Eri had been able to successfully shut the power off on her own.

He only allowed it to go on as he did due to the sharp look Kagome had thrown his way. He knew that she hadn't wanted him to intervene. Curious, he simply let her do as she pleased. He was close enough to charge in if anything had gone wrong. It was a good thing he'd chosen to wait too. Otherwise Eri might not have had the chance to make that sort of breakthrough.

"Kurono, how close are we to finding a working antidote?" He addressed his right hand man.

Kurono met his gaze, "We have one in the testing phase right now but nothing concrete as of yet. Should we get more samples from her soon?"

"Tomorrow after the scan. Let's get a good idea of what we're working with." Chisaki observed as the woman led Eri through a series of meditation techniques.

"We've made a breakthrough today. So progress should happen much more quickly from now on."

This was exactly what they'd needed. Kagome was starting to trust him, Eri was learning to control her power, and they were well on their way to making an effective antidote against Shinigami's Black Abyss. They need only to maintain their focus. Then everything would fall into place as he'd planned.

Chisaki threaded his fingers together.

Soon, they would rise to the top.

He'd make sure of it.

The night had been eerily silent.

Kagome rolled to her side as she glanced up at the wall scrolls that hung across from her bed.

After Chisaki had brought her back, silence had encompassed every inch of the compound. She couldn't hear anything other than the faint sounds of her breathing. She couldn't even catch the familiar stride of his footsteps carrying through the empty hallways. It was as if the place had been abandoned.

Had something happened?

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

They'd certainly been followed the other day. Likely a hero but she wasn't able to catch a glimpse of their face. Endeavor was not the sort of man who would bide his time. So it likely wasn't him.

The first thought that came to her mind was Aizawa. The man was skilled at covert missions such as this. Still school would've been in session at the time they'd gone out on the town. Unless Aizawa was currently working as a pro hero, it was also unlikely to be him as well.

She rattled her brain for an explanation.

Perhaps someone else was searching for her?

Kagome felt her lips dip at the thought.

Midoriya would've called All Might and the police after the phone call they'd had. He would've known that something was wrong, especially after she'd given him the code word. Officially she likely would've been listed as missing or a runaway depending on how the police department handled the information. Everything after that was a complete mystery to her. Had pros assembled a task force to search for her? Even if they weren't concerned with this being a kidnapping, surely they would've been worried about her suddenly aligning herself with a possible villain group.

Then there was the League of Villains.

Chisaki hadn't told her anything regarding them. Just that they'd 'sent them a message'. Her fingers flexed at the thought. Each and every single member of the League was the type of person who'd take revenge. Her brief connection with Dabi aside, she was their target for recruitment. They wouldn't take her disappearance lightly. They would be searching for her with everything they had. The group had an invested interest in taking her into their fold.

If one of them had been their tail then there'd definitely have been a fight.

She forced her eyes to close.

"Gotta get some sleep," Kagome spoke the words out loud.

She'd have to think about this later. For now she needed to get as much rest as she could. Whatever happened, she knew that her plan would have to be enacted soon.

Her lips thinned at the thought.

"Just a little longer."

Dabi trailed the tip of his finger along the shard Kagome had left behind.

They hadn't found any worthwhile intel as of yet. Kurogiri was still conducting his mission to try to figure out the culprit behind Kagome's disappearance. In the mean time he settled for wandering around the streets at night. It drew less attention to himself and it gave him a slight chance at finding her location.

His gaze narrowed at a couple that passed by him on the opposite side of the street.

At the end of it all, the real reason I don't want to join the League isn't because of some ideological differences. In fact I can see the importance your organization bears for society. People can't get complacent and heroes shouldn't either.

That was the answer she'd given him back in Kamino Ward.

She'd rejected their offer to join the League but hadn't condemned their actions whatsoever. If anything, she seemed to have supported their goals and the things they'd managed to accomplish.

He pressed his thumb to the corner of his lips.

The girl was a contradiction in and of itself. She was the daughter of a villain yet desired to become a hero. She was a hero in training but saw reason in a villain group's existence. She neither condemned them nor wished to join them.

Then there was Stain's acknowledgement.

You might not be a hero but you're not a fake either.

Those were the words he said to her. It'd been blasted all over the internet shortly after Stain's arrest.

Dabi turned the corner. He lowered his hand back into his pocket and trailed his finger along the shard once more.

"You're always getting yourself into trouble, kid." He spoke the words to no one in particular.

Shigaraki wanted to use Kagome due to her connection to Shinigami and Stain. Kagome herself seemed to have wanted to put as much distance between herself and the legacy of death those two had left behind.

The man paused as the shard within his pocket heated.

A reaction?

He withdrew it. Twisting the object between his index finger and thumb, he observed as the shard began to pulse and heat. It almost felt like the beating of a heart.

Azure eyes narrowed.

She was near.

He furled his fingers inward and clutched it tightly within his palm.

Someone near here was holding her captive. Where exactly he couldn't be certain. His gaze slid over the nondescript houses. They were all the same cookie-cutter style. None of them stood out in particular.

"She must be underground." It was the only logical explanation that he could come up with. In order to prevent people from finding her, her captive would've put her somewhere not easily located. Somewhere that only they would have access to.

Dabi strolled deeper into the neighborhood.

He'd keep searching.

Eventually he would find her.

"Just hang tight, I'll be there soon."

After all, he still had a promise to fulfill.

Kagome woke with a start.

Her heart raced beneath her chest as she felt the familiar pulse of power. What she hadn't mentioned to Chisaki was that no matter how many shards she produced, she would always detect them should they ever draw near to herself. Crystallize forged shards from her own power. Therefore when one was within range, she could sense its presence. She was not able to detect the person but she could at least determine their location and the amount of power the shard they held had.

This one was fairly faint.

Was it possibly Tamaki?

She'd left a shard for him back at the Higure Shrine. So if anyone could find it, it'd be him.

A faint flicker of hope flared to life within her chest.

If he was near here then that meant that they were still searching for her. They were actively trying to save her.

Kagome sat up within the bed she'd been provided.

She needed to expedite her plan. Chisaki mentioned that he was going to take her in for a scan first thing in the morning. After that she'd be with Eri.

Her lips dipped at the thought.

It'd be difficult but perhaps she could forgo the long term goal and simply hurry things along. Chisaki clearly wouldn't deny her. At least not when it came to sex.

Her face flushed at the thought.

"Gotta focus," She slapped her palms to her cheeks. "What can I do right now?"

It'd be easier if she could just grab Eri and run right this second. Azure eyes flicked towards the door. Chisaki made it no secret that she was under constant surveillance. She knew that the second she reached for the handle, he'd come charging down here himself to deal with her personally.

Any trust she'd have built up with him would be destroyed.

Her lips thinned at the thought.

"Tomorrow it is then," She clenched her fists tightly.

When the sun rose, she would go through with her plan.

The young woman closed her eyes. She took a small measure of comfort in the feeling of the shard's presence somewhere high above her head.

"Whoever you are, take good care of Eri."

That was the only thing she could hope for.

Chisaki found himself standing in front of Kagome's door once more.

"I'm coming in," He announced himself briefly. With dawn's early rise, he rose with it as well. Golden eyes thinned at the image his captive made.

As expected, Kagome was already awake. Dark circles hung beneath her eyes as if she hadn't slept at all. Bringing her to this room had helped with some of the emotional side effects her captivity had, had on her. However that didn't mean that she was completely isolated from the burden of being kept so far away from her friends.

She was going to breakdown if this kept up.

Whether that was a good thing or bad would be determined on his ability to bind her to himself.

"It's quiet here," The young woman commented softly, as if she hadn't heard him walk in at all. "It's like this place is abandoned."

He stopped in his tracks.

Quiet?

Had that been what'd disturbed her?

"This area is off limits to anyone outside of the eight bullets of the Shie Hassaikai." Chisaki began his explanation. "It's rarely used as anything more than a meeting area. It's the central most location of the labyrinth, therefore it's the most protected."

He would warn her of that much. Should she ever attempt to leave then they would discover it immediately.

Kagome slid her feet to the floor. She stood to her full height before trailing the tips of her fingers along the edge of his palm. She was careful not to touch his fingers—paying caution to his quirk.

"I'm ready," Azure eyes flicked towards his. "Thank you Chisaki. For doing this."

He slid his fingers to interlace them with hers. Unlike Shigaraki, he had full control of his power. It didn't matter whether she touched all five of his fingers or not. He had the full control on how to decide to use his quirk. So long as he chose not to indulge in it, then she would not face any harm.

Chisaki led her out into the empty corridor, "The scan itself should not take long. Afterwards you'll be tending to Eri again."

She nodded silently.

Kagome was being oddly complacent.

She kept silent as she allowed him to lead her through the labyrinth. Unlike the first time he'd take her through these hallways, she was not paying heed to the direction he was leading her. She kept her eyes focused on their interlocked hands and a small flush had taken permanent root within her features.

She was softening up towards him.

His grip tightened at the thought.

It might only be an effect of the brief intimacy they'd shared the previous day but she was beginning to lower her guard around him. That was something he was more than willing to take advantage of.

Chisaki brought her into a makeshift medical room.

"Because of the nature of our work, we tend to do all of our own medical aid in house." He pressed his palm to the space between her shoulder blades. "Just follow Kurono's instructions. I'll be in the observation room."

Kagome nodded once more.

For just a brief second her eyes flicked to his before trailing into a changing room they'd set up for her.

Tonight he would enact his plan.

Before the sun rose tomorrow he would have her completely ensnared.

Chisaki moved towards the observation room.

No more waiting.

Kagome lifted herself from the table.

Her throat felt cold and her body shivered uncomfortably.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, however we did confirm our suspicions." The man called Kurono announced, "Overhaul, you were right."

She didn't have to look to know that Chisaki had entered the examination room with them. A heavy presence followed him everywhere he went. The air shifted as he dropped his hand onto her shoulder.

"What did you find out?" The young woman tried to question. Had they fully confirmed Black Abyss as the source of her fevers?

Kurono gestured towards the screen of images he'd taken with the ultrasound, "You have a secondary gland next to your thyroid. We compared these images to one of your father's when he was a child. The gland seems to be the same one that he has." His voice dropped as he spoke, "We believe this to be the source of Black Abyss' power. It produces a miasmic substance that can travel through the body. Crystallize has been a natural antidote to its effects so when you run down that power, your body slowly begins to poison itself."

Chisaki interjected this time, "Unlike your father, your body has not had an adequate amount of time to acclimate to the miasma coursing through your veins. Crystallize is a double edged sword. It's both protected you and sheltered you from its effects."

Kagome curled her fingers inward, "So what do we do from here? Can we remove it?"

She didn't want anything to do with her father's quirk. It'd been the source of so much pain, suffering and sorrow. If she could get rid of it completely then she'd do it. At this point it was no longer about the fevers. It was about her own sense of pride.

She wouldn't rely on Black Abyss.

Not ever.

"How far are we on the antidote?" Chisaki's question was aimed at his subordinate.

Kurono glanced between them briefly. At the male's sharp glare, he sighed and answered him.

"We're still working on it. We're close to a breakthrough but since we have nothing to accurately test it on then we won't know for sure how effective it actually is." The man's words made her stomach drop. She knew what that meant.

In order to know its effectiveness they would first have to draw the poison out and use it on a subject.

Chisaki's eyes slid towards her.

"We'll handle that issue at another time. For now we should look at ways to remove the gland without interfering in Crystallize's ability." The tips of his fingers slid to the nape of her neck. It was meant to be an intimate gesture but all she could feel was a sharp possessiveness—a notion that she was nothing more than a mere possession for him to use.

He lowered his mouth towards her ear, "You needn't worry. The barrier that's been holding you back will be gone soon."

She glanced down at the palm of her hand.

"I hope so."

Dabi kicked his foot against an empty bench.

"Fucking hell," He kicked it again.

The shard had never stopped pulsing. Even now it burned at the side of his leg and beat rapidly to the rhythm of an over-anxious heart.

He couldn't find the entrance to whatever hideout she was being held at. He'd expected to see some kind of fortified building but so far nothing stuck out to him. The only thing he could figure was that the place had to be some sort of labyrinth—something that encompassed a vast area and kept their main location hidden. There were probably multiple entrances and exits that led inside. He just needed to find one.

His fingers flexed.

That almost sounds like you care

She'd said it as a joke that night. It was just something to tease him for seeming somewhat concerned over her wellbeing. Particularly after her fever started to return. His job had been simple that night. Keep an eye on her and make sure her fevers didn't get out of hand. What'd happened instead was a conversation that still replayed in his mind. Every night since they parted it'd play itself on repeat. His brows furrowed at the thought. Yet now, in this situation, her words still kept swimming around in his damn head. Why couldn't he shake it?

Why couldn't he just walk away?

Frustration boiled beneath his skin.

She was always just out of reach.

First the heroes had taken her back with them. Then she was stolen again. Only this time they had no idea who was holding her. She was trapped in a facility somewhere beneath his feet. She was so near yet so damn far away.

"Give me something, kid." He needed her to work with him. There was no way she wouldn't know that he was here. At the very least she should be able to pick up on the fact that a shard was drawing near. Crystallize was a part of herself. If the shards reacted to her presence then surely she would have some idea of when someone with one was getting close to her.

Dabi kept to the back alleys as he continued his search.

"Don't you dare give up," He brushed the pad of his thumb over the shard in his pocket.

He wanted to talk to her.

Above all else, they still had a conversation to finish.

Azure eyes thinned as the shard gave a sharp pulse.

This was it.

Kagome brought Eri into her arms once more.

As expected, Chisaki had taken her to Eri's room and kept watch from beyond the two-way mirror he'd installed in her quarters.

This next part would determine everything.

The young woman softened her smile as she opened her palms.

"Eri, how about I tell you a little story today." She began quietly, "It's something my mother told me when I was a child." She needed to put Eri and Chisaki at ease. In this case she would start with something simple. "A long time ago my ancestor was born in possession of a great power. The legend goes that the power was so immense that if it were to ever fall into the wrong hands than the world itself could be destroyed." Kagome kept her voice soft as she spoke, "So fearful of this outcome, she decided that it'd be best if the power was broken apart and spread evenly across the world."

It was an old story that she used to love as a child.

It was a story about a jewel, monsters and a burden that couldn't be carried by one person alone.

"It is said that the original source of this power was something called the Shikon No Tama. Do you know what that means?" She smiled gently at the child within her arms.

"The jewel of… four souls?" Eri peered up at her curiously.

Kagome nodded, "Exactly! One soul was that of an ancient priestess and the other three were youkai that she fought in a great battle thousands of years ago. In a desperate bid to stave off this youkai attack, she pushed out her soul and sealed the other three great demons within it. Thus the power was forged."

"My ancestor was born with this power within her body. Some legends say that it was nearly taken from her, so she decided to use it to make a single wish." Kagome reached into the collar of her shirt. She withdrew a small chain necklace that carried a shard. It was old and its edges had become dull from the times it'd been held through the years. "She wished for the Shikon to be spread across the world in the shape of raw power. So that the burden would be shared evenly and no one person would hold such overwhelming power over all others. The following morning quirks as we know it came into existence."

She lowered the shard into Eri's palm.

"Being that my ancestor was the guardian of the original source, the quirk she was bestowed by the Shikon was the closest to its original form. That was how Crystallize came into existence as well. It's been passed down from one family member to another since the day it appeared. However they say that this shard is all that remains of the original Shikon." Kagome pressed onward, "They say that trace amounts of the souls who've possessed Crystallize remain within the shard. It gathers their power and acts as a warding charm—protecting the current holder from harm."

She curled Eri's fingers around it carefully, "Now that shard is yours. The souls of those who've come before me will protect you from this day forward. This shard will keep you safe."

It was no empty promise either.

There had been so many times that she should've died by now.

Her fight with Stain, the assault on the summer camp, Kamino Ward and now Chisaki.

All of those times she should've died right there on the spot. Yet every time something kept pushing her onwards—channeling power into her body and keeping her from collapsing in upon herself. In many ways she'd always felt shielded by its presence.

"It will keep you safe," Kagome lowered her head and kept her tone soft as she spoke. She could not risk Chisaki overhearing this next part. "Eri, do you still know how to escape?"

The girl's eyes widened drastically.

Her mouth snapped shut and she faintly nodded once.

Kagome's smile softened, "That's good. Today after we leave, I want you to wait fifteen minutes and then try escaping." She kept her eyes on Chisaki's form through the two-way mirror. It didn't seem like he was hearing her at the moment. If he did then he would've already charged in to separate them. He would have done something to assert his control over the situation—to remind them both of his power over them. The fact that he was no interrupting now meant that he was either distracted or that he couldn't hear them clearly.

She spoke even softer, "The shard will protect you, but you must believe in that power with all of your might." She held her hand firmly, "When you escape you must find the man who bears a shard similar to yours." The young woman splayed her free palm. A small figure of an apple formed at the center of it. "Do you feel that warmth?" She brought the figure close to the girl's hand.

Eri gasped, "Its beating!"

"That's right. When you get close, it'll react just like that. The man who has that shard is a friend. He will keep you safe, but it'll be up to you to find him. Do you understand?" Kagome couldn't stop her hands from trembling.

Whether it was Tamaki or Bakugou, someone was close enough to save her. Someone that was refusing to leave. Someone that wasn't willing to give up on the search for her.

She swallowed thickly.

"Remember, wait fifteen minutes. After that I want you to run as fast as you can and don't look back." She offered the girl a small smile, "I'll make sure Chisaki doesn't follow you. So just believe in the shard. It'll show you the way."

Eri tipped her head up towards her, "But what about you?"

She folded her arms over her in a soothing embrace, "I'll be fine."

Kagome dropped her hands as the doors to Eri's room slid open.

It was time.

Chisaki hadn't seemed to notice the exact nature of their conversation. The man's golden eyes slid to her sharply. He opened his hand and merely waited for her to come to him.

The young woman took to her feet.

"I'll be back tomorrow," She offered the child one last smile. "Just keep practicing what I taught you."

Kagome slid her fingers through his.

She didn't have the heart to look back.

What she'd have to do next would be difficult. It would hurt and likely end in her death. She closed her eyes. However if it meant saving one innocent child then she would do it. She would put herself through hell and back. She was a hero wasn't she? This was her purpose in life.

She would save her no matter the cost.

The memory of azure flames and the scent of smoldering firewood resurfaced in her mind.

Her heart twisted within her chest.

The only thing she'd regretted was not being able to see him one last time.

Chisaki mulled over the story Kagome had told Eri.

The latter half of their conversation had been too quiet for the microphones to pick up. It was suspicious and he knew Kagome had some sort of plan in place to help Eri's escape. However he was also fully aware of the fact that neither of them had much experience in executing such plans. The only reason Eri managed to make it all the way up to the Higure Shrine was because the fool he'd placed in charge of her care was too involved in his own personal matters rather than watching the child. That was not the case this time. He chose to monitor her directly this time around. There was only a few short hours in which he was not observing the girl. Typically those were the times he spent with Kagome.

It wasn't perfect but it was better than entrusting Eri's security to another two-bit fool.

"That was an interesting story you told her," He led the woman down the corridor towards her private quarters. "So your family believes that they're the origin of quirks?"

It seemed farfetched on the surface. A jewel comprised of human and demon souls that had the power to grant people's wishes? However the more he listened the more it explained her own abilities with Crystallize. Most quirks could only be boosted through the use of illegal drugs. That was due in part to the genetic makeup of quirks themselves. By altering the genes of a quirk, they could either enhance or reduce its effectiveness. Theoretically, Kagome's shards should not be able to perform such an action through touch alone. The fact that she could meant that her family's claim of being the origin for quirks could hold more water than he initially thought.

If quirks had originated from Crystallize then that would also explain why it gave her such an advantage over others.

"It's mostly a legend so I have no idea how accurate it really is." Kagome slid her hand to the small of his back, "Either way I figured Eri would enjoy it."

He hadn't missed the subtle flash of desire that flickered across her expression. Chisaki quickened his pace. It would seem that he would have to expedite his plans. Originally he'd planned on bringing her into his personal quarters that evening, however given the expression she was wearing now, he knew that this would be his best opportunity.

The girl was still naïve when it came to sex. She had interest but she rarely acted on it other than simple touches here and there. She was still shy and preferred him to take control. Even if she wanted to use sex to her advantage she wouldn't know how to lead into it. She would fluster and reveal her plans far too quickly.

He brought her inside—barely having enough time to slide the door shut before he felt her arms coil around his neck.

"Eager today?" Chisaki slid the simple face mask he'd donned off. He stepped forward and pushed her back against the door.

The flush that crossed her features darkened, "Maybe a little."

He lowered his mouth towards hers. His hands pushed at the fabric of her shirt as she reached for his tie.

He would take what she was freely offering him.

Right now he had a plan to enact.

Nothing and no one would get in his way.

Golden eyes narrowed as he felt the tips of her fingers trail along his lower abdomen.

After tonight she would be his.

Eri waited with bated breath.

Ten minutes.

Scarlet eyes watched the minute hand tick by upon the clock above her door. Her hands curled around the shard Kagome had given her.

It felt so warm to the touch and it pulsed faintly—as if trying to comfort her.

Not so long ago she had never known what it'd felt like to be held by another person. The only thing she'd known was fear and the cold pain of a scalpel being cut across her arms and legs. Yet since Kagome arrived, all the pain stopped. Chisaki hadn't come near her and the world had shifted.

Fifteen minutes.

She took to her feet.

Eri grasped at the door handle and slid it back. She peered from left to right cautiously.

She'd run through these halls several times before.

When Chisaki wasn't looking, she'd roam freely through the empty corridors and abandoned sections of the labyrinth. She used to hide from him as well.

Eri rushed out of the room.

She kept the shard close to her chest as she made her way through the familiar halls.

Left. Right. Right. Left. Stairs.

She remembered it like it was yesterday. Her feet carried her through the stairway that led to an abandoned warehouse. This was the only exit Chisaki didn't normally patrol. It was rarely used by the others and she knew that she could still crawl out of an old hole she'd made during her last escape. The place was filled to the brim with old machinery and objects she didn't recognize. Rust had sealed the door shut but near the far corner of the building was a pocket of dirt that'd been clawed up by an animal.

"Just a little further," The girl dropped onto her belly. She folded her arms over one another as she made her way towards the pocket through the maze of trash. Her hands dug into the soft earth. She clawed at the ground until a hole just big enough for her to fit through was created.

Eri used her arms to crawl beneath the broken wall. She lowered her head and slowly pulled herself free. Lifting herself onto her feet once more, she began to run.

The shard gave a hard pulse.

The man who had the other shard had to be nearby.

Eri ran through the back alleys.

She had to find him.

Dabi stopped in his tracks.

He peered down at the shard within his palm.

It'd never gotten this hot before. It practically seared him as it throbbed against his hand.

He lifted his head and glanced around the darkened pathway.

Had Kagome escaped?

His feet carried him faster through the alley. At the far end he could spy a small child. She was dressed in rags with bandages covering every inch of her arms and legs. She ran at full speed, not paying heed to the fact that he was standing directly in her way.

"—Ah!" The young girl cried out as she crashed into his shin.

Dabi quirked his brow.

The shard in his palm gave another hard pulse of power.

Was it responding to this kid?

The girl scuttled back. Terror wrote itself across her face as she peered up at him. She kept one hand closed tightly as the other was clutched close to her chest.

Dabi lowered himself onto his haunches in front of her.

"Hey kid, what are you doing?" Had Kagome sent her to him? His lips dipped at the thought. She likely believed that it was her friend Tamaki that'd been hanging around the neighborhood. If that was the case then she likely would've tried to entrust this child to him directly. That was assuming if the girl even had a shard in the first place.

He gestured towards her closed fist, "What are you holding?"

The girl's lips trembled as she opened her palm.

A cold chill went through his spine.

Just as he expected.

Kagome had sent her to him.

"She said that I had to find the man with the shard." The child spoke through chattering teeth. Even now he could see her whole body shaking—as if terrified that he'd strike out at her. "She said that I can trust him, that the shard would protect me."

This was not the sort of sign he'd hoped for when he'd asked Kagome to give him one earlier.

He'd wanted to run into the woman directly.

Dabi withdrew his hand. He opened his palm and displayed his own shard.

"Where is she now?"

This kid was the key to finding Kagome.

He'd take her in and make sure she was secure. After that, he would then go after the bastard responsible.

"Overhaul." The girl reached for his hand. "Overhaul has her."

He knew that name.

The man was the young head of the Shie Hassaikai. As far as he knew he hadn't had any contact with Kagome in the weeks leading up to her disappearance. Had she run into him by accident and he'd just taken her as the opportunity presented itself?

Dabi lifted the child into his arms.

"What's your name?" He needed to know. In order to get the woman out from that compound he would have to use this girl as her motivation.

"Eri," She clung to his coat as he began to long trek back to his home. "Please, you have to save her!"

His teeth gnashed together at the girl's desperate plea.

"Don't worry kid, we will."

He'd make damn sure of it too.

After all, he still had a score to settle.