Tenko walked along holding his basket on one arm and the pheasant which was leaking blood onto the ground in the other. He was angry and agitated for allowing Chisaki to get him so flustered and would be scratching his neck if it weren't for his hands being full. On his way home from the village he chanced upon a beggar and partly taking pity and wanting to be rid of the damned bird he gave the beggar the pheasant.

"Enjoy" he said and walked away the beggar happily thanked him and walked away to return home to feed his family.

Tenko finally returned home to the small cottage he shared with his father on the outside of the village. The fields of wheat and grain just beyond. He could see there only horse Nomu in his pen chewing on grass. While the chickens were on the side of the house pecking at the ground and clucking quietly. Tenko strode up the stairs to their house and opened the front door walking in.

"Hello, I'm back from the village." Tenko called as he walked in setting his basket down and hanging his cloak up. "Please never let me go there again." he said mostly to himself.

"I'm back here." called Kurogiri who was in the back of the home where a small set up for distilling spirits was installed.

Tenko walked back where Kurogiri was carefully eyeing the amber colored liquid as it was dribbling into a pitcher taking up his concentration. "Hello Tenko, have fun in the village?"

"Not really." murmured Tenko. "Papa do you think I'm strange?" Tenko asked gazing at his reflection in a metal pitcher.

"You strange? What gave you that idea?" Kurogiri asked in disbelief lifting his yellow eyes up to look at his anxious son.

"Oh, only every time I visit the village it seems. I don't belong here, Kurogiri. I just don't fit in I never have and never will. I don't have anyone I can really talk to." Tenko said feeling bad about himself.

Kurogiri couldn't help but feel guilty for forcing his son to remain in this village for all these years. He had hoped by now the villagers would have grown accustomed to them and not treat them as if they were outsiders. Evidently he had been wrong. When he saw Tenko lift a hand subconsciously to his neck he stepped forward pulling it back down.

"Why I think of your grandmother everyone thought she was strange and then they began to admire her a great deal." Kurogiri added.

Tenko only looked as he had no memories of a grandmother aside from a picture he saw once.

"What about Kai Chisaki he seems to have taken a liking to you? he is a handsome fellow and he is popular in the village." Kurogiri said.  He had noticed the boys fixation on his son for a couple years now but out of respect for his son had pretended to be ignorant of it.

"I guess you could call it that. Really to him I'm just something else he can tame and submit. The only reason he shows any interest in me is because I think he is a rude, arrogant, prick."

Kurogiri tried to resist the urge to laugh not wanting to encourage his son as Chisaki was a known patron of his spirits but failed. "Ah, I see." is the response he gave before schooling his features once more.

"Tenko" Kurogiri started before resting his palms on his sons shoulders drawing his attention back. "The reason we have stayed in this village all these years is because it is quiet here. It is safe here. We have not been found here. You may not remember because you were a young child back then but you were in terrible danger. I saved you myself and I worry what might have become of you had I not gotten you away to safety. Not a day goes by that I don't regret my decision but now I live in fear that 'He' could still find you." Kurogiri said not wishing to say his name while caressing his sons face tenderly with a father's worry and concern.

Tenko reached a hand to his face resting against the scar on his lip as a brief memory flashed in his mind. A memory almost forgotten which haunted his subconscious and nightmares. A look of melancholy washed over his face as he bowed his head. "I remember a few things still but it's a blur." he said stifling a sob.

Kurogiri brought his arms about his son pulling him into an embrace allowing his angel blue haired head to rest on his shoulder as he rubbed circles into his sons back. He knew Tenko had not forgotten he remembered the countless nights consoling a frightened child and stopping him from harming himself. Then he lifted his son's chin before speaking.

"I'm sorry Tenko I did not mean to upset you more than you already were. I'm not keeping you here to torture you, son. I'm keeping you here to keep you safe." Kurogiri said looking him in the eye.

Tenko pulled away sniffling and blinking his eyes clear "It's alright, Papa. I understand." he said.

"Well, here try a glass of this maybe this will help cheer you up and forget your troubles." Kurogiri said sliding a glass of his latest creation over to his son hoping to lighten the mood.

Tenko picked it up giving it a sniff before taking a sip as he let it set in his mouth before a look of delight settled over his face "Papa, this is delicious is this the new batch?"

"That it is my boy." he said smiling. "I'm taking it to the fair in the next town over and see how it competes. Who knows if it wins our luck could change for the better. There's a very generous cash prize offered." Kurogiri said optimistically.

"Well I'm sure you will win." Tenko said once again taking a sip feeling the warmth of alcohol spread through his body.

Kurogiri's chest swelled with pride before a thought struck him. "Would you like me to take any of your works with me when I go to the fair?" Kurogiri asked gesturing to a corner of the main living area where drawings, sketches, and a few paintings were.

"No, no they're...they're not ready yet." Tenko said abruptly.

"Really? I thought you had finished at least a couple." Kurogiri said curiously.

"It's not the right time, Kurogiri." Tenko said avoiding eye contact.

For along time ever since Tenko was a child drawing in the dirt Tenko had been a natural born artist. Kurogiri encouraged his hobby by giving him praise and purchasing needed materials to create his art with. However due to Tenko and Kurogiri's outcast status. Tenko had rarely if ever shown any of his drawings or paintings to anyone. Kurogiri blamed it on his biological family as well as the schoolmaster of the village for not valuing him as a young child and encouraging his interests.

To this day Kurogiri was the only one to see any of Tenko's work and even then he knew he had not seen all of them. Kurogiri respected his son's privacy not to pry or search his son's possessions. 

"Alright, don't worry Tenko when it's time you let me know. I just want you to be recognized for your talent that's all." Kurogiri said apologetically.

"Someday." said Tenko as he looked in the corner at his paintings. "For now let's focus on getting you ready for the fair."

Tenko helped his father load the barrels into the wagon roping them into place so they wouldn't roll about and hitching the horse "Nomu" to the wagon. When Kurogiri was packed and ready he stood by to bid him farewell. As Tenko would stay behind to look after the homestead tending to the chores, feeding the chickens, etc.

"You sure you'll be alright on your own, Son?" Kurogiri asked for the umpteenth time from his seat on the wagon the reins in his hand.

"Yes, Papa. I am grown up now. I can look after myself and a few chickens while you are away. Now hurry up and go before it gets dark so you can win first prize." Tenko said looking up at Kurogiri with a smile shaking his head at his overprotective father.

"Alright, is there anything you want me to bring back for you?" Kurogiri asked.

"Yeah, yourself in one piece." Tenko said chuckling.

Kurogiri just gave Tenko a look. "Come now can't a son have a little faith in his own father. Theirs still life in this old man yet. That and I would like to bring back a gift for you." Kurogiri said patting his chest and softening his expression.

Really Kurogiri often felt guilty that his son was so unhappy and often did small gestures such as talking with him, giving him space, or giving him gifts out of love for his son. If only to see a smile on his face even if briefly.

"Alright, if you really want to bring me something see if they have any pencils so I can draw again. My hands cramp with the nubs." Tenko said flexing his fingers for show.

"Alright, that is a reasonable enough of a request. I should be able to fulfill it. I will see you in a week my boy." Kurogiri said with a wave before cracking the reins and urging Nomu into movement.

Tenko waved farewell and stood by watching his father leave until he faded from his vision down the country road and then with a heavy sight he returned back to the house.

Tenko looked around the house debating on what chores to perform. Since it was only Tenko and Kurogiri who lived in the small farmhouse, and they had no servants, they often took turns with chores. While certain chores were delegated: cooking being the main one as Tenko was not skilled in cooking. He could handle a couple of simple recipes or basics such as boiling water or frying an egg but anything more was too complicated so Kurogiri often cooked.

Tenko took note of a basket of laundry and decided to help out with the laundry. Especially since it was later in the day when all the washerwomen (the washerwomen were horrible gossips.) will have left the town well.  The town well was where most of the townspeople did their washing. Sure Tenko could do laundry at home but it was such a labor intensive exercise ie. he had to haul water from the well to the basins, heating the water, etc. It was easier too visit the town well and launder the clothes there. That and while the clothes soaked Tenko could sit back and read or work in his sketchbook.

Tenko loaded up the washing, soap, and his sketchbook and pencils and arrived at the well. He dumped all the clothes in to soak first so it would be easier to scrub the dirt out. Then he propped himself up on a bench near the well with his sketchbook, and after seeking out a subject, he set about drawing.

Whilst, Tenko worked on a drawing of a weed growing out of a crack in the pavement a young girl with pale hair approached him out of curiosity. 

"What are you doing?" she asked cocking her head to the side. She was a precocious and curious child after all.

Tenko looked up surprised and gestured before he said "I'm drawing this dandelion." 

"You can draw? Can I see it?" she asked excitedly.

Tenko showed her his drawing and then flipped through showing her a few other of his drawings. She looked on in awe her eyes wide and intrigued.

"I wish I knew how to draw." she said sadly.

"It's easy just draw and keep doing it." Tenko said he glanced around till he found a stick and picking it up he began tracing in the dirt drawing shapes. 

The girl smiled in delight seeing how simple it looked "Could I try?" she asked shyly.

"Of course." replied Tenko smiling his crooked smile and offering her the stick watching as she stiffly at first began making shapes in the dirt repeating what he had drawn already.

A few of the townspeople saw this exchange taking place at the well and sneered. 

"Someone has to do something about this." said Gran Torino leaning on his cane and glaring at the interaction.

"Of course we don't need more of his ilk around here." muttered Tsukauchi to the other and set off in search of reinforcements.

Meanwhile, the little girl had a smile on her face and cheered as she too was able to complete drawings as well. Tenko couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm as she was too adorable.

Chisaki had been wondering the village after his encounter with Tenko earlier (mostly trying to avoid his unwanted fan club) and had become enamored with his own reflection as he gazed into a mirror at the town haberdashers.

"Mmh, I wonder how would I look if I grew a moustache? or perhaps a beard?" he asked grasping his chin and admiring his face in the mirror.

"But then again why mess with perfection." he said beaming at his own reflection running a hand through his thick chestnut hair his mask hung loosely round his mask.

As Kai was busy admiring his face in the mirror he did not notice his companion Kurono dashing up to him. Kurono ran up to his side out of breath from running.

"Kai, there is a certain damsel in distress." Kurono said urgently.

"Oh, what about them?" Kai said barely paying his friend attention still busy admiring his reflection.

"I'm talking about Tenko." Kurono said mildly exasperated.

"Oh, in that case I'll be right there. Duty calls time to play the hero once more." Kai said. Hearing the object of his affections was in need of help but before leaving he turned back to his reflection. "I'll finish with you later, handsome." he said winking into the mirror and then walked away.

Kurono rolled his eyes but couldn't help but give his own a reflection a once over before hearing Kai call his own name. Kurono ran after to follow.

At the town well, a small gathering of people had appeared to gawk at the spectacle and spread more unwanted gossip. Tenko's clean, damp laundry was being dumped on the ground into the dirt by some of the town bullies, the little girls drawings were being rubbed out by the footprint of a large man, and the little girl had been dragged away by her father awhile ago.

Meanwhile, Gran Torino was tearing drawings from Tenko's sketchbook and crumpling them up in his face and throwing them at him. All Tenko could do was stand their with his head bowed, hiding his face behind his hair, feeling powerless in the face of authority. Ever the outcast. He could feel his anxiety rising.

Then Chisaki appeared snatching the sketchbook out of the old man's hands which wasn't difficult. As Chisaki had a good two foot advantage over the old man. Gran Torino, was a town elder and respected, being miffed at this treatment kicked Chisaki in the ankle who then glared down at the old man in anger. 

While, many of townsfolk were distracted Aizawa had appeared from his shop and helped gather Tenko's laundry from the dirty ground a couple of cats in tow.

"Alright, people there's nothing more to see here lets move on now shall we." Chisaki said standing upright, ignoring the pain in his shin, and gesturing for the people to move along. The townspeople moved on whispering amongst each other as the spectacle was over.

"That's right you heard the man." Kurono added clapping his hands together before a hand fell on his shoulder and Kai gave him a look to stop.

Tenko was kneeling gathering the laundry to return home to wash as he had been thoroughly humiliated and was frustrated. He thanked Aizawa from stepping away from his shop to help him, who had left back to his shop. 

A hand baring his sketchbook soon appeared in his line of sight and Tenko glimpsed up from his kneeling position to see Chisaki once more. Tenko sighed and accepted his sketchbook back but was taken by surprise when Chisaki also helped him back up to his feet basket and all.

"Thank you, Chisaki." Tenko murmured feeling embarrassed.

"Tenko, I've already told you call me Kai. Care to tell me what happened?" he asked out of curiosity that and he wanted to make a good impression on his intended.

"Ignorance and prejudice is what happened." Tenko said hefting up his laundry basket into his arms.

"I don't follow." Chisaki said. Wanting him to elaborate.

Tenko heaved in a deep breath before letting out a sigh.

"I was just teaching a little girl how to draw in the dirt and this all happened. I was just trying to make a difference in the world and they wanted to punish me." Tenko said upset.

"See that's the problem" Chisaki said. Tenko looked in disbelief. "You want to change things when things are better off being left alone. After all no one is asking you to change things so why even bother?"

"Kai you just proved my point." Tenko said exasperated.

Kai realizing his error quickly thought of a clever response.

"Now what I meant was you can't change anything on your own. Perhaps what you need is someone to make life easier for you." Chisaki said suggestively. "I have a lot of influence Tenko just say you'll be mine and your life will get easier.

"I have to be going now." said Tenko out of disgust as he took up his laundry basket and stormed off towards home.

Tenko was taking a break from his chores reading through his book when a knock came upon the door. He thought it odd as he was not expecting anyone and his father wasn't due back for  a week and still he could just come in the front door no need to knock. He went up to the peephole and peered through and grimaced when he saw Kai Chisaki.

"So much for telling him this week is no good." he grumbled as another rap against the door sounded.

Tenko opened the door reluctantly but put on a fake smile. "Kai Hello. I thought I told you Kurogiri was away. What are you doing here?"

"Hello Tenko." Kai bowed while offering a bouget of flowers in Tenko's face who begrudgingly accepted them. "I came by to see if you had a chance to talk to your father about my proposal yet."

"Unfortunately, Kurogiri is not here right now. He is away on business." Tenko said matter of factly before setting the bouget on a table.

"Oh, well if that's the case do you mind if I came in." Kai said making as if to walk in.

"Actually, I do mind." Tenko said blocking his path and stepping outside shutting the door behind him not wanting to be left alone with him behind closed doors. Worried he wouldn't be able to get him out of his house again.

"Well then what do you think of my proposal?" Kai asked straightening his jacket and smiling without his mask for once.

"I don't know considering I never received one." Tenko snarked back.

"Oh, come on you know what I mean. I'm helping map out a future for you. After all do you even have a plan for the future? Imagine this if you will a warm fire, my trophies hung up on the wall, you by my side, and our children playing before us." Kai said throwing an arm around Tenko pulling him in close, holding an out stretched arm out, and smiling at the fantasy he spun.

Tenko gave Kai a look at his fantasy not quite sure where he saw a lot of that coming from.

"Listen Kai there are at least a couple dozen people who would be happy to have you as a husband. Why don't you look for one of them?" Tenko said squirming out from under his arm.

"Because I love the chase certain prey provide." he said gazing into Tenko's eyes again.

"Well, that's a lovely if creepy thought but I think you should know I don't plan on getting married right now. Nor having children. I think you should get going right now." Tenko said trying to urge him along.

"Maybe you just haven't met the right man." supplied Chisaki as he hovered over Tomura one arm on the wall caging him in as he gazed down on him.

"It's a small village, Kai. I've met them all." Tenko said deadpan and uncomfortable about the close contact.

"Maybe you should look again." Kai pursued boxing Tenko in further and leering into his space. 

"Some of us have changed after all." Kai said giving what he thought was a charming smile.

"Chisaki-" 

"Kai!"

"Kai we would make each other miserable if we married. We have nothing in common." Tenko said managing to free himself.

"Come now you don't intend to be alone forever do you? What would your father think?" he asked watching the reaction on Tenko's face as he thought of his father.

 "If you won't invite me into your home for dinner then why not come to mine tonight. I'll have a feast prepared for your honor." Kai said not taking the rejection. At. All.

"If I say yes will you finally leave?" Tenko said exasperated because really how stupid could he be to not take no as an answer.

"As you wish. Until tonight Tenko. I'll send a carriage round to pick you up. Be sure to wear something nice." he said eyes looking Tenko up and down before turning away to his horse.

After he finally left Tenko stomped into the yard angry about how easy Chisaki could get under his skin as he violently threw down chicken feed to the clucking chickens in the yard. He had no intention of going to Chisaki's for dinner that evening, nor any interest in marrying him, and would tell him as much as many times as it took.

"That friggin' meat head wants me to be his subservient little wife. Well he's got another thing coming." Tenko snarled spooking the chickens from his path. He walked to a tree at the edge of the farm yard grasping onto it and looking off into the horizon.

"I just want to get out of this village for once in my life and see the world. Anywhere has to be better than here." Tenko said forlornly.

 He gazed up at the sky watching a flock of geese fly by. Until he heard the sounds of hoofbeats and panicked horse whinnies when he looked up he saw Nomu the horse riding up the field sans wagon and Kurogiri.

Wide eyed Tenko ran to the horse grabbing the reins trying to calm the spooked creature.

"Nomu! Where's papa? What happened?" Tenko said gazing at the horse while trying to rub the horses face in a calming gesture.

Nomu simply jerked his head and gave off a few panicked whinnies. Seeing signs that the horse had broken away from the wagon at some point. Tenko turned and ran in the house fetching his cloak and throwing the hood over his head. He shut up the house and ran back to the panicked horse.

"Nomu take me to Kurogiri." Tenko climbed onto the horses back took up the reins and steered the horse in the direction he had seen Kurogiri leave. With a crack of the reins he led the horse off into a gallop down the road into the woods.