Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
May 21, 2xxx - Taylor Pov.
I was disappointed. Today was the day my internship ended, and I'd done nothing but help the Old Man in the shop all week and take blows from the hunters. I could still feel the phantom pain from all the bruises.
I had already finished packing all my belongings. My costume was still inside its suitcase; I hadn't taken it out even once since entering the store.
"Why the long face, girl? Are you going to miss me that much?" asked the old man next to me with a mocking smile on his face. I glared at him, but he just laughed out loud. "Don't worry, girl. Hero Patrols and dungeons are overrated. They weren't what you needed right now," the old man said once he calmed down. I snorted loudly.
"And I needed a daily beating?" I asked dryly, the Old Man's smile growing. The Hunters truly had no compassion for her being a hero or a Hunter-in-training. They used all their tricks and strength attempting to get a discount at the store. And many succeeded.
The worst blows were definitely from Draw Sword's S-rank Hunters. The Old Man had been right. I thought he'd send B- and A-rank Hunters, but instead, S-rank Hunters had been showing up at least one a day. They left horrible bruises all over my body.
The level dispairity was horrendous without my bugs, but at least with the A-rank ones or lower, I could start defending myself making it harder for them. I had significantly reduced the number of hits I took each day. Although I still got hit the night before, it was very different from the second day.
"If you got a beating, it's because you needed one," the Old Man said simply. I groaned loudly. He'd been dropping hints all week, but somehow managed to be increasingly vague with his words.
"And what does that mean?" I asked frustratedly.
"It means what it means." The Old Man laughed, I glared at him once more. The Old Man burst out laughing. "I'll tell you what, try to think about it until you meet Izumi. If by then you still don't understand, talk to him. He'll probably understand and tell you." The Old Man said simply. I grimaced. I was also upset with Izumi for making me come here with this Old Man. Whether or not he was his grandfather, I could have been learning about heroines or hunters.
"I'll think about it." I grunted as I picked up my briefcase and bag. "I guess it's time to say goodbye," I said simply. The Old Man nodded.
"Good work, kiddo, even though it may not seem like it. You've improved a lot. I can see why Izumi was praising your skills." The Old Man praised me in a very rare display of affection. I blushed slightly and looked away. It was unfair of him to mention Izumi like that. "Now, get out of my shop and don't bother me. And don't forget to take down that ugly sale sign that lost me money!" Yes, I definitely wanted to hit him.
"Of course," I growled through gritted teeth. "Goodbye. Thanks for everything." I said with a grimace. I still had manners. I turned around and started walking out of the store. "Goodbye to you too, Derff." I waved goodbye to the rusty sword.
"Goodbye, Four-Eyes, I was already thinking you'd forgotten me!" Derff exclaimed from his spot. I snorted.
"As if I could forget the most annoying talking sword I've ever met," I said dryly. Derff burst out laughing. I sighed.
"Don't forget to find me an owner at that fancy school of yours!" said Derff. I nodded.
"I'll try, but I'm sure Izumi is already taking care of it, and I'm sure he'll be able to choose a better option." I shrugged.
"Whatever! I want to get out of this place right now!" Derff exclaimed, although his voice didn't sound anxious at all. It seemed like he could stay in this store for another 30 years.
"I'll try, but I don't promise anything." I sighed once more. "Now, yes, goodbye to both of you," I said my goodbyes tiredly.
"You know what? I'll walk you to the exit," the Old Man said, suddenly appearing next to me. I looked at him in surprise, and... he was deadly serious and had a katana in his hand. I frowned, but nodded. Something was going on, and I probably wouldn't like the answer. I continued walking to the exit, with the Old Man following behind me.
Once I got outside, there was a black car in front of the store, a car I easily recognized. Draw Sword was here for one last try. I groaned softly and ignored him, trying to walk in the opposite direction of the car.
"Miss Hebert," a woman's voice made me flinch, and I glanced sideways as the car door opened. Goto Ryuko was here. I gritted my teeth. Shisui was firmly on my shoulder, inside my sword bag along with the rest of my daily belongings. I gripped the bag tighter.
"If you're here for Shusui, it's not for sale." I immediately said, my tone cold and indifferent. Unloading my emotions on my insects.
"You Sure? I'm here to give you an offer you can't... refuse." Goto said slowly, almost bored as she looked at me.
"Trying to intimidate a teenage girl, Goto?" The Old Man appeared behind Goto. Goto moved instantly and attacked him with her arm at high speed. I barely saw her arm move. Even so, the Old Man appeared before me as if he were strolling in the park without a scratch.
"...Who are you?" Goto asked, frowning as she composed herself, As if she didn't understand what had just happened. Well neither did I. How skilled must the Old Man be that not even Goto could sense him when he moved?
"That doesn't matter, the girl said no, back off Goto." The Old Man said with a frown, gripping the katana in his hand more firmly.
"Or what?" Goto asked, her eyes narrowing, her aura shooting out in force. It crushed me for a few moments before the Old Man's aura collided with his own and protected me. I gritted my teeth tightly. I began to draw out Shusui and gather all the insects around me. I was sure I couldn't do anything against Goto, but I wouldn't stand idly by while she tried to intimidate me.
I let my full aura gush out. It wasn't even comparable to the two people in front of me. But it was an obvious sign of defiance. It made Goto's face freeze even further, while the Old Man smiled slightly. We were all completely tense, waiting for one of us to make the first move.
"I'M HERE, VISITING A FRIEND!" I could feel relief rush through my body as All Might's voice washed over me. All of our auras instantly disappeared. I opened my eyes, and All Might stood between us, staring at Goto. I could see his expression with my bugs and it wasn't an angry expression like he had been with the Nomu at the USJ, but it definitely wasn't a friendly one.
"All Might," Goto said through gritted teeth.
"GOTO, I SEE YOU'VE MET MY STUDENT, I HOPE THERE'S NO PROBLEM." All Might's loud voice came as his eyes narrowed. A threat. At a national level, even someone like Goto, who was at the top of the S ranks, had to obey. And so she did.
"Of course not, All Might," Goto said through gritted teeth. The look of hatred and frustration on her face was obvious. "I understood her internship ended today. You can't blame a sword enthusiast for trying one last time to buy Shusui. It truly is a national treasure," Goto said more lightly.
"YOUNG TAYLOR, YOUR ANSWER?" All Might asked simply as he looked at me over his shoulder.
"Shusui is not for sale," I said firmly. All Might nodded and looked at Goto once more.
"YOU ALREADY GOT YOUR ANSWER FROM YOUNG TAYLOR. DID YOU NEED SOMETHING ELSE, GOTO?" All Might asked. I could hear Goto's teeth grinding.
"No, …it was an honor to see you again, All Might." Goto hissed as she turned around and entered the vehicle, which quickly began to move. The three of us stood in silence watching the car drive away. I let out a sigh of relief when it went far enough away.
"Thanks for the help, All Might. Were you just passing by?" I asked politely. All Might turned around, giving me a thumbs-up as his huge smile returned.
"IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HELP A STUDENT, YOUNG TAYLOR! AND NO, I WASN'T JUST PASSING BY. IN FACT, RY-"
"Ahem," the Old Man cleared his throat as he glared at All Might.
"-MY OLD FRIEND!" All Might corrected himself. "-SENT ME A MESSAGE TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT! SENT ME ANOTHER ONE WHEN HE SENSED GOTO APPROACHING!" All Might explained. I narrowed my eyes. I looked at All Might, who gave the Old Man an apologetic look. The Old Man rolled his eyes. They know each other, and they're way too familiar with each other for it to be just a coincidence.
"I suppose even then, you won't tell me your name," I said dryly in the direction of the Old Man, the Old Man smiled at me mockingly.
"And where would the fun be in that?" the Old Man asked playfully. I sighed.
"I'll ask Izumi." I growled in frustration, the Old Man burst out laughing.
"As if he's going to talk. He probably thinks it's more fun this way." The Old Man laughed, and sighed. Yes, it sounded just like Izumi.
"I hate you," I growled in his direction before he sighed again. "But thanks for calling All Might." I thanked him, and the Old Man shook his head.
"Don't worry about it, it was better this way, fighting Goto would have been a pain." The Old Man grunted.
"NOW, NOW, OLD FRIEND, I'M SURE YOU COULD HAVE BEATEN HER." All Might said with a reassuring smile. The Old Man's eye twitched.
"What does that mean, Toshinori! Of course I can defeat her!" the Old Man growled in his direction. All Might tried to calm him down. Toshinori? That was All Might's name?
"WELL, MY OLD FRIEND, YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER." All Might said softly with a smile. I could practically hear the Old Man's sanity breaking. He swung the sword he had at a terrifying speed and slashed it at All Might's head, causing him to groan in pain.
"Go away! Go away at once!" the Old Man growled as he entered his tent and slammed the door. All Might laughed out loud as he massaged the bruised spot.
"HE NEVER CHANGES." All Might said fondly, wincing in pain.
"I guess you know each other." I said simply, All Might nodded.
"YES, YOU'RE LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO INTERN WITH HIM. I DIDN'T KNOW HE DID INTERNSHIPS." All Might said, impressed. I snorted.
"He asked for me because of Izumi, he's his grandfather," I growled, that seemed to freeze All Might as his eyes widened.
"OH." All Might said simply. I looked at him in confusion and he just shook his head. "IT DOESN'T MATTERS. ARE YOU READY TO GO, YOUNG TAYLOR?!" All Might asked cheerfully. I nodded.
"Again, thank you for your help, All Might. You can return to what you were doing, and I can get to UA on my own." I said, All Might laughed loudly.
"NO NEED, YOUNG TAYLOR! I'LL TAKE YOU." All Might said with a huge smile. I could feel all my hairs prickling with worry.
"Take me?" I asked carefully, certainly not seeing a vehicle nearby, much less one the size of All Might.
"TAKE YOU!" All Might confirmed. "HOLD ON TIGHT!" All Might said as he punched me comfortingly on the shoulder. I didn't find it comforting at all.
"it is not necessary-"
The world was spinning, like a kaleidoscope of colors and sensations. My head was spinning. I felt as if my brain had been put in a centrifuge while connected to all my organs.
We were in the air, moving quickly over the buildings, or rather, All Might was carrying me under his arm. The insects flew in and out of my control so fast I could barely keep track of them. Millions of insects trying to send information to my brain, with flashes of sights, sounds, smells, touches, and tastes. Only for them to leave my range and cut off the sensations, just as millions more take their places and bombard me with sensations once more. And it continued to repeat itself.
It wasn't the number of images, it was the way they happened. Millions of flashes in a split second, only for those flashes to change in the next split second It was The number of images I was receiving that made me nauseous. Until it finally stopped.
"HAHAHAHA! WE'RE HERE YOUNG TAYLOR!" I felt the sensations finally align and my feet hit the ground once more. Even though the world was still spinning and-
"Bluergh!" I knelt down and vomited the contents of my stomach directly onto the floor.
"YOUNG TAYLOR?!" All Might exclaimed. My stomach was finally settling back to where it should be, and I was starting to breathe properly. I stood up, wiping the vomit off my face with the back of my hand. I grimaced before bringing up bugs to remove any remaining dirt. I let the bugs land on my hand and face without any discomfort. It wasn't an elegant solution, but it would be better than wiping it off with my clothes.
"I-I'm fine." I groaned in All Might's direction, who still had a worried look on his face. Curiously, he wasn't bothered by the presence of insects on my face. Most people tended to run away, get disgusted, or grimace if they saw it.
"ARE YOU SURE, YOUNG TAYLOR?" All Might asked more softly, I breathed deeply still feeling the bitter aftertaste of vomit, but nodded.
"I'm fine, I'm better, just... next time don't travel so fast with people who have shared senses with other living beings, I thought I was going to get sensory overload." I grimaced. All Might paled.
"I'M SO SORRY, YOUNG TAYLOR! I DIDN'T MEAN IT! SHOULD I TAKE YOU TO RECOVERY GIRL?!" All Might asked, completely worried. I raised a hand to stop him.
"I'm fine, really. The trip ended before it got any worse, which is impressive because we crossed at least three prefectures in less than five minutes." I said, genuinely impressed. I'd never moved so quickly from one place to another, at least not over long distances. The fights and training so far had taken place in relatively close quarters, so there weren't many insects darting in and out of range.
It's good to know in advance that I need to get used to the change in sensations. If there's an emergency and I have to move as quickly as I can from one place to another, the last thing I want is to arrive at the fight scene completely dizzy and wanting to vomit.
"I-If you're sure." All Might said carefully, I nodded.
"I'm actually fine. Besides, I'll go to my room and rest until the others arrive. Don't worry, thanks to my quirk my brain is used to being bombarded with information, it's much more robust than a normal one." I said honestly, All Might finally sighed in relief and nodded.
"FINE, YOUNG TAYLOR, BUT IF YOU STILL FEEL DIZZY OR HAVE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS, I IMPLORE YOU TO GO SEE RECOVERY GIRL AT ONCE." All Might said firmly. I nodded.
"Of course, if I don't do it Izumi will drag me, if he notices something wrong with me even if I don't want him to." I said, All Might nodded.
"THEN, I SEE YOUNG TAYLOR! I'LL SEE YOU WHEN CLASSES STARTS ONCE AGAIN! FAREWELL!" All Might said goodbye.
"Thanks for the help and the ride, I guess," I said as I bowed slightly. All Might gave a thumbs-up and took off once more. Or well, jumping with great force, but it seemed like it made almost no difference to All Might. I sighed in relief and brushed the bugs off my body before turning around. Of course I was at the bedroom door. I shrugged and started walking inside.
The dorm was still empty, I had my bugs search the place and there was no one inside yet except for one person, and I guess it made sense, I had left early to have time for the train ride and then walk to UA, but I guess since All Might saved me the whole trip I had arrived much earlier than everyone else. I headed to Izumi's room.
"Taylor!" I looked at Ruby who was lying lazily as she sat up excitedly in bed.
"Ruby?" I asked, confused. Ruby shot out in my direction, and I dodged her.
"Taylor?" Ruby asked, sounding almost hurt. I grimaced.
"Let me clean myself up, I just threw up," I said quickly. Ruby's expression immediately changed to one of confusion, curiosity, and concern.
"What? Why?" Ruby asked, I grimaced.
"Let me clean up and I'll tell you." I sighed as I dropped my belongings on the floor and headed to the bathroom.
"Very well! But you better give me that hug! We haven't seen each other in a week!" Ruby exclaimed firmly, and I chuckled.
"Of course, Ruby. I'll be right back." I said playfully. Ruby smiled widely. It was good to be back with the others. I just had to wait for Azula and Izumi.