Chapter Ninety

"Guys!" Sero came bursting into the dorm like a bullet from a broken pistol. Mina and Ochaco watched the door slam into the wall, crumbling a hole they would have to repair before the teachers discovered it.

"Dude!" Kaminari pointed out the damage. "What the-"

"They are here!" Sero ignored Kaminari's annoyed face as he jogged to the collection of couches where everyone lazed around.

"Who?" Ochaco blinked, turning to Mina as if she would have the answer.

"Those people!"

"What people!?" Aoyama held his arms outward.

"Those police guys-!" Sero gushed, "-from the Shie Hassaikai Compound! Those same assholes who strolled in basically kicked us out when they took over!"

"What about them?" Mina wondered, "They said it could take a couple of days to process everything-"

"No-!" Sero huffed, "-they are here! Like right now inside the school!"

"Oh." Ochaco looked to Mina, "I mean, I am sure the teachers will come get us, they did tell us they would-"

"They are collecting all the teachers right now!" Sero held his arms upward over his head, "They aren't even bothering to come get us!"

"Oh, hell no!" Katsuki stood, cramming his phone into his pocket. "Those bastards are not leaving us out of this! What room Flex Tape!?"

"Stop calling me that!"

"What room!?"

"The second floor-!"

"Show us!" Mina jumped right to Katsuki's side. "Come on!" She pushed Sero's shoulder.

"O-Ok!" Sero waved his arms, "Let's go!"

Class 1-A took off in a run out of their dorm making their way back to the school. Sero ducked and waived through students and faculty who yelled to stop running but were abruptly ignored.

"Mr. Aizawa!" Midoriya called, seeing the last two teachers walking into the room as an officer stood outside guarding the door.

"What are you-?" Aizawa turned.

"We deserve to be in there!" Katsuki announced taking charge.

"You weren't going to come get us-" Mina muttered seeing how everyone had collected inside, "-were you."

"No." Mr. Principle stepped out,

"What the hell!?"

"Why!?"

"You all are still minors." Mr. Principle raised his hand, shutting down the flood of demanding questions. "We cannot have you in here without your guardians, who cannot be in here since it is sensitive information. I promise you, once we are briefed you will be next on the list."

"Fine." Katsuki stated.

"Fine?" Midoriya turned shocked, "R-Really?" Katsuki crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall never removing his glare off his principle.

"We will be right here."

"Oh!" Midoriya perked, "Yeah! We will wait out here for you!"

"Great." Aizawa strolled past the threshold of the forbidden room. "You can deal with them." The stout principle breathed a puff of air, glancing to class 1-A who all plopped down getting conformable.

"You coming?" Midnight wondered looking down at the mouse man.

"Yes." Mr. Principle nodded, entering the room allowing the officer to shut the door behind him, locking in the answers Katsuki had been starving for.

"Now that's settled-" A bony man dressed in a lab coat stood at the foot of the room cleared his throat. "-we should get started."

"Yes." Mr. Principle nodded, "I am sorry for the delay."

"After going over everything that was collected from the two hidden rooms inside the Shie Hassaikai Compound, we concluded that the bodies found were so badly burned no DNA nor fingerprints could be used to identify them."

"You brought us here to tell us that?" Midnight crossed her arms, "What good does that do?"

"We did get lucky with the dental records." The man in the lab coat known as Dr. Druj continued, bluntly ignoring Midnights comment. "We were able to identify three of five bodies found."

"That's good right?"

"Well-" Dr. Druj breathed in quickly licking his lips, "-three of the bodies was identified as Gray Bushida, Shiro Tajaka and... (y/n) (l/n)."

"WHAT!?" All Might, Aizawa and the rest of the teachers resting in their chairs shot up. All Might's chair fell onto its back like a helpless turtle.

"Are you sure?"

"H-How-!?" All Might stormed forward ready to get in the doctors' face and argue, only to be blocked by Aizawa.

"I-I..." Mr. Principle cleared his throat, "...everyone-!" Mr. Principle called over the mixture of strained voices, "-please, one at a time. Doctor, are you absolutely sure-"

"Yes." Dr. Druj replied, "I myself ran the test three separate times."

"I-I-" Mr. Principle struggled to form a thought, not having expected this news. "-what-"

"How did she die?" All Might whispered.

"All Might-" Midnight reached over, touching his shoulder as he stared into his hands.

"I concluded from the uh...the videos on the computer seized at the crime scene, the three couldn't survive the experiments-"

"Experiments?" Midnight pulled her brows together, "What experiments?"

"It seems Overhaul wanted to pick up where Shadow Jack left off." Dr. Druj answered.

"But they survived them before." Snipe shook his head, "Why would-"

"I presumed during those experimentations before being rescued, they were younger, and children can bounce back easier than adults can."

"How did she die?" All Might repeated, sinking into a nearby chair his legs felt like jelly about to melt away under his weight.

"All Might—no-" Midnight said,

"How did they die!?" All Might snared, ripping his arm from Midnights caring grasp. "Tell me!"

"Well-" Dr. Druj cleared his throat feeling the suffocating tension brewing in the room, "-from what I found in the videos, the first to go was Gray Bushida who died from blood loss...then the second was (y/n) (l/n), she-her heart gave out and as for Shiro...after watching those two, I can only assume he just...gave up."

A stillness filled the room after the doctors' words settled like dust on the heroes' minds. For a moment, the room seemed almost tranquil. Dr. Druj shifted from one foot to the other, feeling the agitated suspense seeping from the people before him.

"Is that all you found Doctor?" Mr. Principle looked between each of his teachers.

"Yes."

"Very well-" The stout man tightly nodded, "-thank you for your brisk work, I know this couldn't have been easy."

"I just wish I brought better news." Dr. Druj bowed, "I am truly sorry for your loss."

"Thank you." Mr. Principle nodded, watching the doctor gather his things before taking his leave. Mr. Principle watched as the students sitting outside all hopped to their feet, eyes wide soaking in any detail they could scraunch up as they stared at the closing door.

"We have to tell the students..." Midnight breathed, holding her hand in her hands.

"No." Mr. Principle replied, "Information like this cannot be given to them without their guardians' supervision."

"I'll start making the calls." Snipe sighed slowly standing, knowing All Might, Midnight, Aizawa and the other first-year teachers were going to be useless for a few days.

"Thank you, please no one let anything slip. When they ask questions just tell them all to meet us in their dorm."

"Yes sir."

The teachers quickly got up and began to filter out the door avoiding eye contact and trying to dodge the heated questions by the students who latch onto the teachers' limbs demanding answers.

All Might was about to join in on the frenzy escape, but Mr. Principle called him back. The door to the room swung shut as the blond turned around, his chest felt like cement was just poured into his heart.

"All Might-"

"Not now-"

"I... I need to give you something."

"What?"

"I know this is the worst possible time-" Mr. Principle spoke pulling a folder from the stack on the table. "-but I cannot avoid it."

"What is that?"

"Your adoption paperwork...for (y/n)-" Mr. Principle handed them over, "-they were finally approved."

All Might stared at the cream-colored folder, slowly with shaky hands his fingers slipped around the cool material.

"If you do not feel up to planning her funeral I can have the HP-"

"No." All Might shook his head, "I'll do it...after all she is my daughter."

"All Might I am so sorry-"

"Will you take care of calling Class A's parents?"

"Of course, but where are you going-?"

"I need to be alone right now."

"I... I understand." Mr. Principle sighed, knowing words nor actions could soothe the hero's breaking heart. "We are going to tell the students in two hours, it gives everyone time to get here and-"

"Ok." All Might blankly nodded, not absorbing anything being said. All he could do was stare at the folder in his hand.

"If you don't want to come then that's ok."

"I know." All Might turned on his heel feeling numb to the world, and for once he welcomed the comfortable numbness as his famous relentless smile melted away.

----

Summer collapsed into fall.

Katsuki walked alone with the crunch of leafs under his feet; a scarf wrapped around his neck as he struggled to keep warm. He hated the crisp air of autumn; he took a deep breath through his nose catching scents of muddy water and the nearby maple trees.

"Sorry I'm late." Katsuki weakly grinned, "The finals were today, and I got stuck with Deku as my partner of all people-" Katsuki chuckled, bending down plucking out the weltered flowers replacing with the new ones he brought. Katsuki swallowed the lump in his throat, brushing his fingers over the name written on the tombstone: (y/n) Yagi.

"I figured I'd find you here."

Katsuki Bakugo glanced over his shoulder annoyed; sharp eyes softened upon seeing the intruder only to be his childhood idol.

"What are you doing here All Might?" Katsuki halfway didn't care about the presence behind him, he just wanted to be alone with you.

"Your parents-" All Might answered, "-asked me to speak with you."

"Hah?" Katsuki scrunched his face, fully turned to face the U.A. teacher. "What the hell do they-!?"

"That dream you have held onto for so many years-" All Might stepped beside Katsuki, gazing down at the tombstone below. "-the one that fueled you to be the best, seems to have turned into more of an obsession, an unhealthy one."

"What the hell do they know!?" Katsuki lashed; All Might allowed the outburst to slide. The two stood in silence gazing down at your fate written in stone. The cool fall air blew through All Might's jacket. "I don't care what they or what you have to say. I must get stronger-"

"Bakugo you are already so strong-"

"Why are you even here!?" Katsuki snarled, "I wasn't strong enough to save her!" Katsuki's voice carried in the chilled breeze. "How-How can you even look at me!?"

"Bakugo-"

"I killed her-"

"You are not what killed (y/n)-" All Might sternly cut in, placing a steady hand on the young man's shoulder, "-Overhaul is who took her away not you. I don't hold any ill will against you young Bakugo, I don't hate you or feel any different than I did before (y/n) passed-"

"But-"

"-if anything-" All Might carried on, ignoring the interruption. "-your one of the few people who can relate to what I am going through."

"Wha-?" Katsuki furrowed his brows.

"You cared for (y/n)-" All Might explained, "-probably just as much as I did-"

"Bullshit!" Katsuki spat shoving All Might's hand off, pointing his finger in All Might's face. "You didn't fucking care about her-!"

"Who are you to question me, boy!?" All Might's calm composure cracked.

"You never talk about her!" Katsuki didn't back down or even waiver under All Might's intense glare. "Ever since her funeral every time her name is brought up you and everyone else walk away or changes the topic, you all act like she was never here! You never even come here! I am the only one who-"

"Katsuki-" All Might breathed through his nose, giving himself a moment to steady. "-I loved (y/n), more than anything. If I could, I would gladly trade places with her. I adopted (y/n), I loved her as my own flesh and blood. I would give anything in this world to have the chance to watch her grow into the amazing person I knew she would become."

"If that's true how come I never see you here then?" Katsuki accused, "Hah!?"

"I am happy you find peace here." All Might replied, brushing his fingers over the top of the tombstone. "But I don't feel (y/n) here."

"What do you-?"

"I don't feel her here with me." All Might blinked rapidly a few times taking in a deep breath fighting back the pool of familiar warm tears. "When I am home, cooking a meal like we used to do together and blasting her favorite song, that is when I feel most connected to her. So yes, I may not come here as much as you do, but don't think for a moment I have forgotten about her or didn't love her as much as you. Everyone grieves in their own way Katsuki."

"I..."

"As for your classmates, you haven't entered the world where your classmates become your colleagues and you lose one of them. I prayed you wouldn't have to deal with this type of loss while you're still young, but I can't control fate." All Might breathed,

"We're not kids All Might." Katsuki pinned.

"I know you're not-" All Might nodded, "-but in some ways you still are. Dealing with death and the pain of losing someone you loved and learning how to make room in your life for that hole your loved ones made, takes time. I talk to Mina and young Midoriya all the time about (y/n). I counsel half your classmates-"

"Why didn't I know-?"

"It isn't your business, Katsuki." All Might clemently answer, "Their pain and their loss are their own business to deal with in peace. Just like your pain is your own, just because you don't see them grieving doesn't mean they aren't."

"I-"

"(y/n)-" All Might sucked in a deep breath, "-was amazing." All Might laughed looking up to the sky as tears dripped down his cheeks. "She was so strong despite everything that had happened to her, she chose to love and because of that she was funny and so kind. Sarcastic and charming, I knew the moment I saw her she was going to be a fantastic hero."

"All Might..." Katsuki's fists tightened. The retired hero glanced only to quickly turn, seeing the salty tears falling from those scarlet eyes. "...I-I couldn't save her."

"Neither could I." All Might breathed. "Her death isn't on you, and it isn't on me."

"I-If I was faster, or-or stronger I could have-"

"Or maybe you couldn't have." All Might took a step closer, "Or maybe you would have been taken as well and your parents would have had to bury you. I can promise you, the pain of burying your own child is almost maddening, you wouldn't want to place that burden on your parents would you?"

"At least then she wouldn't have been alone." Katsuki looked up as the tears multiplied running down his face, the brisk air froze the foreign trails. "She wouldn't have woken up scared, thinking she was with me when in fact I couldn't hold onto her-!"

"Katsuki-" All Might wrapped his arms around the struggling hero, "-you don't know that. You don't know what could have happened, but I do know (y/n) wouldn't want this. Your misplaced anger, you're holding onto these feelings and believed you failed her when you know she would just be happy to know you got out of that situation alive."

"I.. I love her..."

"I know..." All Might let out a shaky breath, watching the water droplets from his eyes drip to the hibernating earth. "...thank you."

"For what?"

"Loving her." All Might sniffed, tightening his grip around his student. "I feel blessed (y/n) had someone like you who loved her as deeply as you do. She died knowing she was loved by not just me, but you too."

"I-I miss her All Might!" Katsuki buried his face in All Might's bony shoulder. This wasn't how Katsuki planned it, he thought he and you would grow as heroes together, compete to be number one...he always expected you to be by his side.

"I do too." All Might scrunched his face, fighting back the sobs from escaping his chest.

"I-I don't know how to handle this feeling or-or how to move on or what to do!"

"Time." All Might weakly replied, feeling like his answer was a stale lie getting stuck in-between his teeth. "You have to learn to make room for your loss, you can't simply 'get over it' that isn't how the heart works."

"Well, that is stupid."

"Yes-" All Might chuckled. "-it is stupid."

"I can't believe she's really gone."

"She is still with us." All Might replied, resting his head onto Katsuki's. "(y/n) will always live in our hearts along with all the time we spent with her."

"She wasn't here long enough, it-it's not fair!"

"I know." All Might nodded, "We were just getting to know her, she wasn't here long, but she was here long enough to leave her mark on all of us."

"What do I do All Might?"

"Remember her." All Might frowned at his bitter tasting words, "Remember the good times you had with (y/n), remember how she made you feel. But you can't dwell on the past Katsuki, you must make room and get on with your life.... that is what she would have wanted."

"It's not fair..." Katsuki sobbed.

"I know."

"It's not fair!" Katsuki gasped, his anguished cries getting trapped inside the knot in his chest.

"I know Katsuki, we are going to love her for longer than we have known her, but she and the moments she brought us are worth the pain."

To Be Continued...

A/N:

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The squeal to Burn Me has launched so follow me for updates! 💙

Here we are at the end of Burn Me, for a moment there I didn't think this moment would come but it is so refreshing to click the completed button after months of working on this story.

I wish I could say we are at the finish line but we are not, I am so excited for the second book.

I worked so hard on the story line and the plot, did so much foreshadowing in Burn Me to prepare for the second book and now I cannot wait to watch it unfold.

I will post updates on when the second book will be out, follow me if you wish to find out what happens next!

Until then,

Stay calm and Jommy on!

Sarah