Chapter 4

When Katsuki got to his den, he knew there was something off, he could smell it. He cautiously walked in and placed the boar down, raising his head into the air and taking a few sniffs. Walking further in, he noticed Shouto laying on the ground with Izuku nowhere to be found.

"Hey, half and half!" Katsuki shouted, trotting up to him and nuzzling him to wake him up. "Hey wake up!" Shouto groaned, slowly opening his eyes and sitting up.

"What happened?" he asked, rubbing his head.

"That's what I would like to know," Katsuki answered, looking around. "Where's Deku?" Shouto looked at Katsuki confused for a second, then his eyes widened, standing up as best he could while he was still disorientated.

"Izuku!" he shouted, turning to run further down, but Katsuki got in his way to stop him.

"Where's Deku, Todoroki?" Katsuki demanded. "What happened?"

"I don't know," Shouto answered. "I heard something at the entrance to the den, but I figured it was you. Izuku started whimpering because he was scared, so I turned to comfort him, but that's the last I remember. Whoever is here knocked me unconscious."

Katsuki growled menacingly toward the further side of the den as he took off running. He had a feeling on who it was, but he wasn't sure. He only prayed he was wrong. After a short while of running, he heard what sounded like a child screaming. Immediately knowing who the scream came from – and immediately feeling déjà vu – he started running faster in the direction he heard the scream from. However, his prayers of it not being who he didn't want it to be were not answered because as soon as he got there, he saw Shigaraki, paw raised and ready to strike Izuku.

"SHIGARAKI!" he screamed, charging at the other wolf demon and knocking him off balance. He took up a protective stance on front of Izuku, baring his fangs at Shigaraki.

"Kacchan!" Izuku wailed, running up to and latching onto one of Katsuki's hind legs. Katsuki glanced back at Izuku, thanking every god out there that he was safe and unharmed. He quickly focused in front of him as he heard Shigaraki get back up.

"Damn you, Bakugou!" Shigaraki shouted, baring his own fangs. "What is going through your head?! That's a human! The very species who hate us and try to kill us! You know this as well as I do! Why are you protecting it?!" Katsuki didn't answer, his eyes narrowing slightly. He knew Izuku was a human. He also knew what humans did to his kind. But Izuku was only a small child and he didn't deserve to be treated the way he treated other humans because he just so happened to belong to the same species. It wouldn't have been fair to him, as he did nothing wrong. He didn't think it was right.

"Answer me damnit!" Shigaraki demanded. He couldn't understand why Katsuki Bakugou – the most dangerous demon – was protecting a human. He thought the humans should all be exterminated from existence and he thought Katsuki thought so as well, seeing as how his entire family was murdered by humans. "Why are you protecting that thing?!"

"I'm protecting him because he's a little kid and has nothing to do with what his species is doing to us," Katsuki answered. "Happy?" He heard Izuku whimpering behind him, making him want to get this over with so Izuku could feel safe again. "I think you should leave now, Shigaraki," he continued. "Deku and I are hungry and we want to eat."

"I'm going nowhere!" Shigaraki shouted, pouncing forward to attack Katsuki.

Katsuki clicked his tongue, jumping forward to intercept the attack to make sure Izuku didn't get hurt. He knew he had to be careful though, since Shigaraki had the ability to make the things he touched decay, including living things. If he was able to touch a vital area, it would be game over for Katsuki. Sure Katsuki had his explosions, but they were in an enclosed area – not to mention his home – and he didn't want to bring the ceiling down on everyone, namely Izuku. In order to be able to use his explosions effectively, he had to get outside, but with Shigaraki blocking the only way out, it was easier said than done.

"What's the matter, Bakugou~?" Shigaraki sneered. "Why are you holding back~?" Katsuki growled at he evaded another attack. He quickly glanced at Izuku who was away from them, shaking and whimpering in fear. He needed to end this fight quickly before Shigaraki tried to get behind him and go after Izuku.

"You know I'm feeling really cramped in here," Katsuki complained. "This isn't a fair fight."

"Oh please," Shigaraki sneered. "Like I'm going to fall for that trick."

"If you win and this fight isn't fair, no one will think you're dangerous," Katsuki goated. "They'll just think you're a no good cheat that deserves no acknowledgement at all." Katsuki was hoping that Shigaraki fell for this as he had nothing else and would surely lose the fight otherwise.

Shigaraki lowered his guard for a moment. He knew what Katsuki was saying was bogus, but he also knew that he didn't want to win against Katsuki in a boring fight, since not being able to go up against Katsuki's explosions was boring in his opinion.

"Fine," Shigaraki gave in. "I'll humor you just this once. I know you're pulling shit from your ass, but I will agree that you not giving your all will be boring." Her turned around and started for the entrance. Katsuki narrowed his eyes before turning to Izuku.

"You okay, Deku?" he asked, sniffing Izuku for injuries.

"I'm okay, Kacchan~" Izuku giggled, pushing on Katsuki's snout. He then wapped his arms around Katsuki's neck as best he could. "Thank you for saving me~" Katsuki hugged Izuku back.

"I have to finish this," he said. "Otherwise he won't stop." He then turned and started for the entrance, but was stopped by Izuku.

"Please don't fight him," Izuku whimpered. "He hurt Shou-chan with one hit. What if he does the same to you?" Katsuki looked at Izuku, nudging his shout against his head.

"I'll be fine," he reassured. "That big scary demon's got nothing on me. I'll take care of him and make sure he never tries to hurt you again." He leans on his front legs. "Get on, I'm going to take you to half and half." Izuku climbed on and snuggled against Katsuki's fur. Katsuki huffed when he was satisfied with where Izuku was and headed towards the entrance. Once there, he knelt down so Izuku could get down. "Make sure he stays here," he said to Shouto. Shouto nodded and pulled Izuku into his arms.

"Be careful, Kacchan," Izuku warned, snuggling into Shouto when wings were wrapped around him. Katsuki licked the top of Izuku's head and nuzzled him before leaving the den to confront Shigaraki.

"Took you long enough," Shigaraki sneered. "I was beginning to think you were chickening out on me."

"Now why would I do that?" Katsuki jeered. "Putting you in your place is much too fun." Shigaraki growled and bared his teeth before lunging at Katsuki. Easily seeing the attack coming, Katsuki side stepped and set off one of his explosions.

"You're gonna have to do better than that if you want to beat me," Katsuki egged, dodging Shigaraki again and setting off another explosion. Katsuki hated not being able to tear his opponent to shreds, but he couldn't afford to get in close enough to be able to do so. He glanced back at the den where Izuku was and saw him staring at the fight with a worried expression on his face. He narrowed his eyes and turned back to Shigaraki, who tried to get a blow in while Katsuki was distracted. It didn't work, but Katsuki gave him props for trying.

"You really should just give up, Shigaraki," Katsuki said, setting off yet another explosion. "You'll never get close enough to touch me. How many times have you tried and failed?" Katsuki set off an explosion, this one actually hitting Shigaraki. "You can't win against me." Shigaraki growled as he backed away slightly with a limp. He knew he lost this fight, so he did what he always did best; he turned tail and ran. Katsuki sighed when Shigaraki was out of sight, turning back to the den and walking back inside. Izuku pulled himself out of Shouto's hold and ran to Katsuki.

"You won~!" he shouted, hugging Katsuki. "You beat the meanie~!" Katsuki chuckled and hugged Izuku back.

"Of course I won," he gloated. "This is me we're talking about here~ There's no way I would've lost~" Izuku giggled at Katsuki's boasting, checking him for injuries anyway. Katsuki noticed this and nudged Izuku away. "I'm fine, Deku. You don't need to do that."

"Then that means Izuku is right in doing so," Shouto commented. "You only do that when you don't want someone to know you're hurt." Shouto walked over to Katsuki. "Where did he get you?" Katsuki hung his head, knowing that Shouto wasn't going to take no for an answer. He sighed and showed him his back left leg.

"He only grazed it," he said when he saw the scared look on Izuku's face. "I'm fine."

"You should still get it covered so it doesn't get infected," Shouto said, walking to where the first aid items were stored. Katsuki made a face of disgust, knowing how cruel Shouto treated his wounds.

"Just be gentle for once," he complained. "I do have someone else I have to look after, not just myself."

"What is this?" Shouto jabbed. "Is Bakugou thinking of someone other than himself? How rare. Consider yourself lucky, Izuku. He never does this." Katsuki growled his disdain when Shouto came closer with the supplies needed to treat his leg.

"You should consider yourself lucky that Deku likes you," he sneered. "I would've blown you up for that comment otherwise."

"I know," Shouto said. "That's why I said it." Izuku giggled at the banter between the two demons. He watched as Katsuki howled in pain and chastising Shouto for being so cruel, only to be told that it was his own fault for getting hurt in the first place. Izuku then looked over at the dead boar and walked over to it.

"Is this breakfast?" he asked, pointing to the animal.

"Is that not good enough?" Katsuki hissed, trying not to snap his jaws at Shouto. Izuku looked back at the boar, holding his stomach when it started to growl.

"I'm hungry," he whined.

"Then eat," Katsuki said. "No one's stopping you."

"Izuku can't eat the boar's meat raw, Bakugou," Shouto stated. "I'm almost done, Izuku. I'll start a fire to cook the boar in a minute."

"Why can't he eat it the way it is?" Katsuki asked, not understanding.

"Because Izuku's body can't handle raw meat like yours can," Shouto answered, placing the last adhesive for Katsuki's bandage in place. "I'm the same way. I also have to cook meat if I want to eat it." He stood up and walked to the fire pit, placing wood there and setting them ablaze. He then walked over to the boar and pulled it closer to the fire, grabbing a knife so he could skin it and get to the meat. Once skinned, Shouto got to work on cutting the meat to make it easier to cook.

"Can I help?" Izuku asked.

"I'd prefer you not," Shouto answered. "I don't want you getting hurt." He grabbed a tray and put the cut up pieces of meat onto it so he could put them over the fire. He then shoved what was left of the boar in Katsuki's direction. "I'm going find something else to go with the boar for Izuku," Shouto continued. He looked at Katsuki. "Watch the meat and don't let Izuku touch it. I'll be back in a minute." He walked to the entrance, spread his wings, and took off in search of a side dish for Izuku.

To be continued...

I'M FINALLY F-ING DONE! DX I am so sorry this took as long as it did to finish. At first I hit a wall called writer's block, then I just kinda lost motivation to finish. I am uploading this at 3 o'clock in the morning since for some reason my brain wouldn't let this stay unfinished and wouldn't let me sleep till it was up and readable~ XD Again, I'm sorry for taking so long and I will try (no promises) to get the next chapter up in a reasonable time frame~ Remember to read, review, and enjoy~ Seeya~

-Cheshy