Bakugou stared up curiously at the towering blond monolith. The monolith, Doppo Kunikida, coughed, and settled himself down onto the couch beside Bakugou.

Doppo Kunikida, Bakugou's great uncle, had always been taller than him. Also, Uncle Kunikida was strong even though he was old, his Quirk was awesome-although he called it an Ability, not a Quirk- and he was really smart.

"Bakugou, if you're ever in really bad trouble, as in your parents died or a villain is after you, then find these people. They are my friends, and will help you."

The blond child nodded and grinned. "I'm six! I can handle anything! But...if there's a villain, they can be my sidekick!"

Kunikida sighed. How long had it been since he had seen someone who believed they were on top of the world? Someone so confident in their abilities? Well, such was the gift of some children.

The old man-and he was an old man, at the ripe age of age of 113-leaned in and asked a very important question. "Do you want to become a Hero?"

"Of course!" Came the enthusiastic reply of the wide-eyed Bakugou. Who wouldn't want to be a Pro-Hero?

Kunikida nodded. He narrowed his eyes at his great nephew. "Why?"

"Because of All-Might! He's awesome! He can beat any villain! Every villain at once couldn't even stop him! I want to be a Hero, I'll always win that way!"

Kunikida pursed his lips and proposed a thought. "What if All -Might lost?"

Bakugou stared at Kunikida in shock. The thought was unfamiliar to him, completely alien because of his belief that the Hero All-Might would always win and always be there. He furrowed his eyebrows and thought. "I...I don't know?"

"Why don't you become a Villain? The Hero doesn't always win after all," Kunikida mused.

Bakugou glared vehemently at his great uncle. His voice went up high as he shouted, "No way!" He frowned. "Villains...hurt people. They do bad stuff. I don't want to do that."

Kunikida took off and cleaned his glasses with his sleeve. Despite the lack of visibility in his vision, his gaze was no less stern, but understanding. "That's the difference between Heroes and Villains. One becomes a Villain if one wants to help themselves get whatever they want at whatever cost. But, one becomes a Hero because one wants to help people, not because you want to win. Do you understand the difference?"

Bakugou nodded. He looked subdued as thoughts swirled in his head.

Kunikida frowned and placed his hands on his knees. His hands and arms seemed to bulge out from where they should be, an unfortunate side effect of old age. "Do you still want to be a Hero?"

Bakugou stared his great uncle in the eye. "Yes."

The old man's lips curled up into a smile. "Good to hear. Now, I'm going to be gone in a few years. I won't be able to train you much. When I'm gone...go to Chuuya. He can help you become a Hero."

Bakugou stared at the small, yellow sticky note. He took it with a solemn look.

XXX

Kunikida: Promise me, look out for the kid.

Dazai: I will.

XXX

Bakugou stood in front of the closed casket. His chest was stuffed full of anger and annoyance. 'Why couldn't Uncle Kunikida have waited? He was going to teach me how to deal with hostage situations next summer."

When he got home, he broke down and cried. The reality of not seeing his uncle, at least for a long time, hit him with the almighty force of an United States of Smash. Neither of his parents commented on his eyes that were even redder than usual from crying, his sleeves where he had wiped his tears off, and his deeply cemented frown. But they did offer a large, tight family hug. His mom soothingly ran her fingers through his hair. His dad muttered assurances and talked about random things.

Later that night, Bakugou stared at his ceiling. 'I am going to become a hero,' he thought. 'But, I'm going to have start acting more like a proper hero. Well, that's going to suck.'

XXX

Bakugou had been in a foul mood for days. He had been avoiding Midoriya like the plague. Heck, he avoided everyone like the plague.

Midoriya frowned with concern at his blond classmate's spiky head. It was unlike Bakugou to be so silent and subdued. He got to class, said nothing to anyone, and immediately left.

XXX

"Kacchan? Are you alright?" Midoriya asked.

Bakugou scowled. "Leave me alone, Deku."

"But...you don't look-" Midoriya started.

Bakugou glared at his annoying classmate.

Midoriya put his hands up and took a step back. He bit his lip and bravely continued. "You don't look well. I...I'm worried. You've been really withdrawn recently. And...I'm worried."

Bakugou put his hands in his pockets. He squeezed his fingers together, digging his fingernails into his palms. 'Remember, don't get angry, don't hit him, don't spark up. You can't do that anymore. Not anymore. You're going to be a hero, heroes only hurt villains.'

He sighed. "Don't. Leave me alone, Midoriya." Bakugou walked away.

Midoriya stopped walking. His brain froze. 'Did Kacchan just call me 'Deku'?'

XXX

Midoriya took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"I was...wondering if I...if Bakugou was available? I'd like to see if he wants to play?" He immediately blurted out as the door opened.

Mrs. Bakugou grinned. "Izuku! Of course you can. He's right up stairs in his room, you know the way. How is Inko doing?"

Midoriya smiled. Mrs. Bakugou was as enthusiastic as he remembered. "She's doing well."

"Tell Inko I said hello," Mrs. Bakugou cheerfully ordered and then shooed her son's visitor upstairs.

Midoriya's smile grew more dim as he inched closer to Bakugou's room. He took a breath and quietly knocked. The door flew open, the annoyed face of Katsuki Bakugou stared at him.

"Kacchan, I-" Midoriya began.

"Midoriya, I told you to leave me alone," Bakugou spat.

Midoriya winced, less at the anger-he had grown used to it over a lifetime of knowing Bakugou-and more at the lack of the familiar nickname. He timidly asked, "Can I come in?"

Bakugou scowled but moved back into his room and left his door open. Midoriya took that as a 'yes', and cautiously entered.

Bakugou sat on his bed, thumbing through a book. Midoriya sat on the floor nearby. He looked around at the bedroom and how things had changed.

There were more plaques and medals hanging on the wall. The top of Bakugou's bookshelf held a row of shiny trophies. AllMight merchandise and that of other famous heroes were spread sparsely around the room. Bakugou's cover was now red and black instead of the bright yellow one of AllMight's face.

They spent an hour in silence. Eventually, Bakugou sighed and growled something under his breath.

Midoriya flinched as a XBox controller landed next to him.

Bakugou put a disc in and they played Call of Duty Zombies. They didn't look at each other or exchange a word. But they weren't silent, Bakugou sometimes let out a string of curse words Midoriya didn't know existed and Midoriya sometimes mumbled thoughts about various strategies.

It seemed Bakugou didn't want it talk about it. Whatever it was, whatever had happened, Midoriya's presence was being tolerated. And that was already a big change. So Midoriya would wait, wait long enough for Bakugou to trust him enough to talk.

XXX

When he was thirteen, Bakugou remembered while in the middle of a test at school.

He sprinted home and, once inside his house, dashed up the stairs and down the hallway. He opened his door, barely avoiding slamming it closed because he didn't want his mom to yell at him.

Bakugou dragged out a shoebox from under his bed. He dug through photos and rocks until he unearthed a small, yellow sticky note. The writing was faded, but legible.

It was list of three names: Chuuya Nakahara, Osamu Dazai, Nakajima Atsushi. There was a phone number under each. And an address under one.

The only person with a listed address, Chuuya Nakahara, supposedly the person who could help him become a hero. Fortunately, it was nearby.

"I'm going out for a walk!" Bakugou yelled.

"Be back in time for dinner!" His mom, Mitsuki, yelled back.

It was a twenty-minute walk to the shopping center. Bakugou stared at the shop that the address had led him to.

Crimson Moon was the name of the shop. It was a tan, two story building with a red door.

Bakugou grabbed the brass handle, twisted it with cold hands, and pushed the door open. Above the door, a tiny silver bell tinkled.

The inside of the shop was cramped and dimly lit. The dark brown walls were lined with shelves, full of bottles. Two long white tables were in the middle of the room, they displayed various books on wine and bottle related gadgets. In the back, a winding red staircase went up to the second floor. Beside the staircase there was a alcove.

The alcove was small, but could comfortably fit two average-sized adults side by side. A wood countertop divided the area off along with with an 'Employees only' sign. There were several shelves of bottles on the wall behind and a door that led to the back. In this space, a redheaded man sat.

He propped an elbow on the counter and drawled, "I think you're a little young to be in here. We don't serve kids."

Bakugou bristled at being called a 'kid'. "I'm not here for a drink," he snapped.

The man smirked. "Oh? Then what are you here for?" He folded his gloved hands together, looking surprisingly like a James Bond villain due his clothing. Only his top half was visible behind the counter: a tan vest, black button-up, and a fancy black hat. His red hair looked slightly overgrown and framed his face in soft spikes.

"I'm looking for a guy," Bakugou said with a shrug and annoyed look. He fished out the yellow sticky note from his back pocket and squinted at the name in the middle.

The man's eyebrows went up in mild surprise. "Who?" He tugged on his hat slightly. It was an unusual, eye-catching black fedora, with a tan ribbon and shiny, silver chain.

"I'm looking for someone called 'Chuuya Nakahara'. Do you know him?" Bakugou asked. He put his hands and the sticky note in his pockets.

The man snorted. "Yeah, I know him. Why are you looking for him?"

Bakugou sighed. He probably wouldn't get anywhere if the man didn't help him. He spilled his story.

"Well, you found me. I'm Chuuya Nakahara," the man announced. He shrugged and pulled the moveable part of the countertop aside. He stepped into the rest of the room. He wore black dress pants and his black dress shoes were shined and without a visible mark.

"What? You? You're...you're Mr. Nakahara?" Bakugou sputtered in disbelief.

"Yes, call me Chuuya," the man calmly replied. "Now, let's go talk to your parents. Where do you live?"

XXX

Bakugou followed Chuuya, his thoughts a whirlwind. How was this petite ginger man going to help him become a Hero? For the first time, Bakugou questioned whether he should have heeded his great uncle's advice.

Sooner than what felt like normal to Bakugou, they arrived at his house.

Chuuya briskly knocked on the door.

Mr. Bakugou opened it.

"I am Chuuya Nakahara. I met Doppo Kunikida a few years ago and became good friends with him. With your permission, I'd like to train your son to become a Pro-Hero," Chuuya bluntly stated.

Mr. Bakugou blinked and stepped aside. "Come in, we'll have to discuss this with my wife," he softly suggested.

"Thank you." Chuuya stepped inside and took off his hat. Chuuya toed off his shoes and Bakugou followed.

"Dear, would you please come here for a minute?" Mr. Bakugou loudly asked.

"One minute dear!" Mrs. Bakugou hollered back.

"Let's wait in the living room," Mr. Bakugou said and led the way.

Katsuki Bakugou sat down beside his dad. The couch was brown and well-worn.

Chuuya chose to sit in the chair opposite. His hat was placed on his legs, a gloved hand lightly over top of it.

"Masaru, you didn't tell me we had company," Mrs. Bakugou light heartedly scolded her husband.

Mr. Bakugou gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I panicked."

"You panicked?" Mrs. Bakugou questioned.

Chuuya politely coughed. Everyone looked at him. "As I said to your husband, I am Chuuya Nakahara. I met Doppo Kunikida a few years ago and became good friends with him. With your permission, I'd like to train your son to become a Pro-Hero."

"Oh," Mrs. Bakugou said. Her eyes were wide as she traded a look with her husband. "I see what you mean."

"Mr. Nakahara, why are you interested in our son?" Mr. Bakugou asked. His voice was soft and calm but full of curiosity.

"Please, call me Chuuya. Kunikida asked me to look out for your family. He specifically asked me to train Bakugou, since he knew I lived near you."

Mr. Bakugou nodded. "All right."

Mrs. Bakugou narrowed her eyes at Chuuya. "Mr. Chuuya, what are your qualifications?"

"I am a certified Pro and work at an agency, but we are of the underground variety of Pros. We usually work alongside the police and other government employees. I also run my own business in a shopping center nearby," Chuuya revealed. He pulled out a plastic card, his Pro Hero license, and passed it to Mrs. Bakugou.

She hummed and looked over the card. It all seemed correct. Chuuya Nakahara, Japanese, age 21...Mrs. Bakugou handed to card to her husband for him to look over.

"You were born in Yokohama?" Mr. Bakugou asked.

Chuuya nodded. "I grew up there. I haven't been in years however. Musutafu is my home now."

Mr. Bakugou handed the license to its owner. Chuuya slid it back into his wallet.

"How did you and Katsuki meet face to face?" Mrs. Bakugou asked. She stared at the man, her face full of suspicion.

Bakugou winced and spoke up. "It was because of me. Uncle Kunikida gave me his address and told me to go there after he...died. He said that Chuuya Nakahara could help me become a Hero."

Mr. and Mrs. Bakugou looked at each other. A long glance of understanding and apprehension. "We'll agree to this on four conditions: we expect hourly phone calls, it doesn't affect Katsuki's grades, tell us whenever you're going out, and tell us what you're doing."

"I agree," Chuuya and Bakugou affirmed.

"Good. Now, do you want some tea?" Mrs. Bakugou offered.

Chuuya smiled. "I'd love some, thank you."

XXX

Bakugou looked around. The back of Crimson Moon was a large, brick alley. The bricks were a bright red color and were warm from hours of being exposed to sunlight.

Chuuya closed the back door of Crimson Moon behind him. He had turned the store sign to 'closed' and left his vest inside. "All right, we're going to do close combat. No Quirks."

"Why no Quirks?" Bakugou asked with shock. He had an offensive Quirk after all. It wasn't like he had a useless non-combative Quirk.

Chuuya nodded. He started cracking his fingers, one by one. "Because you need to learn the basics before you can incorporate your Quirk. Also, there will be times when you can't use your Quirk. If you know how to fight without, you won't be useless deadweight.

"Begin!"

Bakugou lunged forward, right fist outstretched.

It was easily avoided with a step backwards, Chuuya shook his head in disappointment. "You're going to have to try better than that."

Bakugou scowled and furiously swung at his mentor.

"Fighting isn't mindless," Chuuya scolded as he dodged.

Bakugou huffed and took a fighting stance, of sorts. It was his fighting stance for him to be able to use his Quirk. As he was unable to make the first move and hit Chuuya, he should wait.

"No Quirks. Keep your fists up," Chuuya reminded.

Bakugou frowned yet complied. In his frustration, he swung again. Chuuya neatly side stepped and kicked his student lightly in the side.

"You telegraph your punches. Your wind up is far too big. Be less dramatic, more efficient," Chuuya lectured.

XXX

Midoriya noticed how worn out Bakugou was on Mondays. It wasn't the usual 'I hate Mondays' lack of energy many of their classmates had.

Bakugou come to school with bruised knuckles occasionally. As if he was punching something or someone.

Midoriya was worried. But he kept quiet, attending bi-weekly video game hangouts at the Bakugous. They were the closest each other had to a friend. But Bakugou still didn't tell him...really anything.

A/N

I've had about eight story ideas for a bsd-mha crossover.

I blame anachronist and pocketsizeddinosaur over on Ao3 for this story. Also, writingforfunandbecauseboredom, who I've been talking about bsd-mha crossovers with for months. Go check out Boredom's story, the Chill!Bakugou AU, it's an awesome crossover.

Much thanks to UnderHisWings for betaing this story.

I'll be posting a new chapter every three weeks.

-Silver