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The tale tell sign to be on guard was the faintest scent of Mandrake and Nightshade. The sharp almost apple like scent mixed with the bitter notes of the Nightshade were often the precursor of something far more dangerous at work.
Izuku knew this well and had always kept a nose out for it. Granted, it had gotten him in trouble with Sato when he was working with apples in the bakery, but he would rather apologize than not being able to forgive himself if something happened. Especially, if something bad happened. So far, nothing had happened. He was written off as delusional, or paranoid. Those that knew a glimmer of his past believed he was plagued with a variation of battle fatigue. Perhaps survivor's guilt.
Few others could truly explain what he felt when his birth village's inhabitants had all seemed to vanish in one single night, leaving him and his mother alone in the once bustling trade town. He knew, but no one ever believed when he was honest. It was too strange, too mystical, too unbelievable. It couldn't be real. The only people who would believe him, were already dead. All he could do now was try and prevent the tragedy from repeating itself.
And for that to happen, he had to keep his nose out for Mandrakes and Nightshade.
Hard to do when he was sick in bed. His head felt hot and heavy, and his sinuses were clogged with mucus. He found himself unable to breathe through his nose, and unable to smell anything. His body urged him to rest. But how could he rest when that evil could be lurking nearby? It had come with barely any warning before. He had to look around and be sure that that thing wasn't around.
With a moan, Izuku slowly began to slip out of his bed, shivering slightly as he removed his covers.
"Izuku? Are you up?"
Izuku opened his mouth to speak, only for his throat to seize and force him into a coughing fit.
He was so focused on trying to right his breathing, he didn't hear his mother open his door.
"Izuku, you don't look like you're feeling well," his mother said gently. She approached him and placed the back of her hand on his forehead, "And you're running a fever."
"I'm fine mom," Izuku responded, trying to sound better than he felt. Looking at his mother though, it was clear she was not convinced. He had to do his usual patrol around the village though-
"I'll keep my eyes open Izuku. Rest up."
"Thanks mom," he said as he closed his eyes to rest. She laced her fingers through his hair lulling him back into sleep. She let him fall back asleep to rest. He wouldn't be up for a long while. Not with how easily he fell back asleep. She'd have to make sure no one stopped by to check on him. Especially not him. He wouldn't take too kindly to Izuku not walking the village and showing his "claim" on it.
She grabbed her coat and Izuku's little notebook with his little patrol route inside. She had to follow his path as it would be what he would be looking for. At least he would recognize her as an extension of Izuku. She left the house knowing that her baby boy would be fine. There was nothing that would happen to Izuku under his protection.
Inko walked through the village keeping her eyes peeled for any discourse in town.
She waved her hands at Izuku's friends and assured him that he was fine, just foraging a bit in the woods for berries and other edible plants. Not at all sick at home where people should go visit him when he was "vulnerable".
Izuku coughed harshly in bed, pulling his blanket up higher and curling in on himself. A warm hand carded through his hair, soothing the sick child.
"You and your mother worry far too much. I won't let anything happen to you or her," a deep voice spoke softly to him. The scent of bitter apple and slight smoke lingered in the fabric of Izuku's bed. "Just let papa take care of you two."
Izuku let about a little whine in his sleep, his skin feeling hotter than a normal human. For his little half human child, he would be fine once the fiery blood began to burn away the human side. This little fever was only the beginning. Soon enough, his little baby akuma would come into his own. He'd burn everyone in this village into ash so small they were practically nonexistent just like the last village if he had to, to protect his child and his child's other parent.
Hopefully once his silly humanity was fully burned away, he would care less about his mother and papa could incinerate her. He was hardly one to share after all.
"Sensei- I need to speak with-"
"Tomura," the deep voice interrupted the interloper. "What have I said about interrupting me?"
Deep red eyes looked away from his feverish child to glower in distain at his pawn of a follower. Pale, ashy skin. Flakey and unkempt appearance akin to already burnt charcoal, along with the scars across his neck and face made him appear oh so flammable. His personality left much to be desired, but he was one good pawn.
"That woman, she's heading back."
The man clicked his tongue in annoyance. She was cutting family time short. He would enjoy killing her once his son was fully as he should be. Until then, his sigil burnt under his son's bed would have to do, to encourage his akuma blood to continue to burn away his humanity.