Chapter 7: Dread

Ochako stared at her bedroom ceiling as her mind raced. Did that really just happen? She didn't know how to process it. She had gone to Izuku's room to find out what was wrong and comfort him. Instead, she had kissed him. She had kissed him. Her heartrate increased as the memory played in her head. After their kiss, they had talked a little more about Izuku's situation. Even after opening up to her as much as he had, he avoided talking about the larger issue completely. Despite that, Ochako had at least been able to talk to him about Eri. She let out a small squeal of happiness as she thought of how they were acting like the girl's parents. Together. Ochako had offered to help watch Eri and share a room with her for the time being, at least until Izuku was in a better place. As long as Eri could spend enough time with him, they could preserve her happiness and insulate her from the situation at the same time.

Overall, Ochako was satisfied with the outcome. While he still was in a dark place, she knew that their conversation had helped a little. When she had told Izuku that she would help with Eri, it was as though she had lifted a weight from his shoulders. All he needed was a little time, and a lot of support. Then her boy would be okay. Her boy... She grinned to herself. A small silver lining of their conversation, she had kissed the boy she was madly in love with. And he had kissed her back. She still couldn't believe it had happened. Izuku was just...amazing. Without the emotional circumstances, Ochako would've gone on with her silent love, never thinking she was good enough for him. But I am. We kissed. We kissed! With the recent troubles pushed from her mind momentarily, sleep took its hold. As her conciousness drifted away, her last thought was of him, and she was out, a warm smile spreading across her face.

Ochako woke screaming in a cold sweat. While her dream was instantly forgotten, it left her with a feeling of pure terror. Even with the specifics fallen from her mind, the cold, pervasive, overwhelming fear was rooted in her chest. Whatever it was, it felt so real. She couldn't describe why, but she knew. Something awful is going to happen. Gripping her blankets tightly, a small sob escaped her lips. For the first time, she noticed a warm mass pressed into her side. Looking down, her eyes met two red ones, and her heart dropped further upon seeing the fear in Eri's eyes. "Eri, what's wrong sweetie?" She tried to put on a brave face, but Eri had already noticed her rude awakening.

"You screamed.." The girl seemed terrified, and flinched slightly as Ochako reached for her. Submitting quickly, she let herself be wrapped into the older girl's arms.

"I'm alright sweetheart, just a bad dream." Ochako kissed the girl's small horn, and ran her hand through her silky hair. "Why don't you head downstairs, I'll be down in a minute to get you breakfast." Hesitantly, Eri got out of the bed. Disappearing into one of Izuku's sweaters she had somehow acquired, she quietly slipped out of the room. Sighing, Ochako rolled over to face the ceiling once again.

She shook as she tried to get her heart rate under control. After a few minutes, she managed to stand. Making her way to her small personal bathroom, she washed her face, and examined herself in the mirror.

God, I look terrible. Ochako was paler than she had ever been, red ringing her eyes, with dark bags beneath them. Salvaging her looks the best she could, she threw on the same black t-shirt from the previous night, and made her way downstairs. Reaching the ground floor, she made for the kitchen. Surveying the common area as she passed, she saw most of her classmates were awake, and in much better shape than her. Casting a final look around as she entered the kitchen, she noticed someone was missing. Where's Izuku? Seeing that Kouda had already started cooking Eri her breakfast, she sat next to the girl, running her hand down her back. When the girl looked up, Ochako showed her a fake smile.

"Sorry about earlier Eri. I'm feeling better now!" She hated lying to her, but she would do anything to make Eri feel better. Ochako hated how familiar the earlier fear in the little girl's eyes was, and she never wanted to see it again. Her own eyes widened slightly in surprise when Eri leaned up, planting a quick kiss on Ochako's jaw.

"Mommy... it's okay. You don't have to pretend." The girl wrapped her arms around Ochako, and she quickly returned the gesture, tears forming at the edges of her eyes. This girl... A real smile flashed across her face, and she pulled Eri in closer, kissing the side of her head. Exchanging smiles, the girls turned back to the table, only then noticing the small audience they had gathered.

"OHMYGODITSSOCUTE!" Mina and Tooru were hugging while they jumped up and down. Momo and Kirishima were both grinning so hard their faces seemed close to splitting. Even Kouda smiled as he layed a plate of food in front of the two. Distracted completely by the new presence of food in front of them, Ochako and Eri dug in. An hour later, Ochako was finally properly dressed, ready to start her day. As she left the dorm, a residual pang of fear from the previous night's dream ran through her. I still haven't seen Izuku today...

Ochako walked into the classroom, setting down her things and sitting down before allowing herself to scan the room. Her eyes first landed on the empty third desk in the far left row, before surveying the rest of the room. Only a few students were already in class, Tooru in the front, teasing Ojiro about something, and Tokoyami in the back, either sleeping or meditating. With Eri having elected to stay in the dorm for the day, Ochako sat quietly with her head down, waiting for class to start. Her rest was interrupted when a certain robotic classmate took his seat.

"Good morning Uraraka!" Iida only had one volume. Loud. "How are you today?"

"I'm good, Iida." Ochako lied easily. Truthfully, the alien fear from the dream was still inside her, and had been growing. She still didn't understand it, but she felt like she was sensing something approaching. Something bad. Clearing her throat, she met the square eyes peering down at her. "Have you seen I- Deku?" If Iida noticed her slip up, he gave no indication.

"Now that you mention it, no." Iida placed his hand on his chin, deep in thought. "I haven't seen him since the training incident yesterday."

Ochako's face fell. "Oh." She felt like she needed to see him. Something in inside her told her that the fear inside her wouldn't leave until she could make sure he was alright. More students trickled into the room as Iida turned away from her to unpack his things. Jirou, Sato, Mineta and- The bottom of Ochako's stomach dropped out as another student entered the room. A fresh wave of panic washed over her, but it was eclipsed by her own surprise at her reaction. Why him?

"Uhh... Uraraka? You okay?" Kaminari looked uneasy as Ochako gaped at him in horror. "Do I have something on my face?"

"No-uh... Sorry! I was spacing out!" It was a lame excuse, but he seemed to accept it. He shrugged before making his way to his seat, starting up an unrelated conversation with Jirou. Ochako, still shaken, stared down at her hands. Why did seeing him make me react like that? She didn't know why, but seeing Kaminari had brought her right back to her dream. She wracked her brain as hard as she could, trying in vain to remember anything from the dream. She came up empty, but something inside her was screaming that Kaminari was involved. Ochako tried to put the thoughts aside while the rest of the class made their way to their seats, though she also noticed Izuku was still nowhere to be seen.

A general buzz of conversation was running through the class when Mr. Aizawa entered. The room instantly fell silent. "Good morning, class." As always, the man's face was blank. Eyes briefly resting on Izuku's empty seat, he turned to the class again. "Yesterday, there was an incident during the heroics training." His eyes moved to Bakugo. "While the issue has been resolved, Midoriya will be taking a couple days off for his mental health." With a half second pause, he began the morning announcements.

"SENSEI!" The class turned to look at Todoroki standing up, surprised at his outburst. "What is happening with Midoriya? We deserve to know." He quickly sat, suddenly uncomfortable with the attention. He grew quieter, trailing off. "We all know he'll never share his problems on his own..." In a single motion, the class turned back to Mr. Aizawa, awaiting his response as several students voiced their agreement. The voices faded as the anger in their teacher's face appeared.

"We've been over this. If he wants you to know, he'll tell you." His face softened slightly. "It's not my place to share for him." With a tone of finality that quickly crushed any planned replies, he once again launched into his announcements. Ochako slumped down in her seat. For a moment, she had stupidly gotten her hopes up that Mr. Aizawa would've told them. While she wanted to give Izuku any space he required, it was still killing her that she didn't know what was wrong. Her anxiety flashed again, and she found herself unconsciously glancing at Kaminari. I need to find Izuku after class. I know if I can get him to open up I can help him.

With Ochako's thoughts anywhere but her schoolwork, the day flew by. Before she realized, she found herself next to Iida and Tsu, walking back to the dorms. Approaching the doors, they jumped in surprise as Izuku exited the building, hand in hand with Eri. The small girl was gazing up at him, eyes full of love, and Ochako noticed a real smile on Izuku's face, even if it was small.

"Deku!" Ochako ran up to him, quickly pulling him into a hug. Remembering they still had an audience, she soon jumped back, face reddening. "We were wondering where you were!"

"Ah, yeah.." He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Mr. Aizawa thought it'd be best if I took a few days off after...yesterday... so I've been with Eri!" The girl raised her hand as if called, before giving Izuku's leg a quick hug. Her eyes lit up as she looked up at Ochako.

"We're going on a walk!" She looked absolutely thrilled to be spending time with him. For the first time that day, Ochako's growing fear subsided momentarily, and she smiled.

"That's great! Just make sure you're back by dinner you two, we'll order out!" Eri cheered, prompting a chuckle from Izuku. Giving Ochako's hand a hidden squeeze, he led the smaller girl away. Before they made it out of earshot, Eri spun back towards them.

"See you in a bit Mommy!" Satisfied, she turned back around as Izuku began choking and sputtering. Ochako blushed deeply when she saw the looks on the other's faces, but she quickly brushed it off and headed inside.

90 minutes later, Ochako found herself sitting on the couch she had fallen asleep on two nights ago, listening to the sounds of a rather loud arguement in the kitchen. It was getting close to when they usually ate, and there was no sign of Izuku and Eri. The fear snaked its way back into her chest, and she took a deep breath. They're okay, they're okay, they'll be home soon. As the sounds from the kitchen died down, she looked up to find Jirou approaching her.

"Hey Ochako, Mina and Kirishima finally stopped fighting about what to eat and ordered, so the food should be here soon. Nodding to the girl, Ochako got up and followed her back towards the kitchen. While most of the class settled down, awaiting their food, she looked around. Some people still aren't here... The feeling of terror inside her was getting bigger and bigger. She hadn't realized how much her it had been affecting her until Tsu put a hand on her arm, a questioning look on her face. The frog girl opened her mouth, but before she could speak, the doors slammed open. Ochako turned, expecting Izuku and Eri, but it was-

Kaminari.

In that moment, everything cleared in her mind. Seeing the expression on his face as he doubled over panting, her hand rose to her mouth, and she began remembering her dream. In an instant, the feeling that had been building inside her all day seemed obvious.

Dread.

The class turned in unison as Kaminari entered. When they saw the fear on his face, several people stood, approaching him, but he waved them off. It was clear he had been sprinting back to the dorm. Catching his breath, he straightened, but his expression didn't change. "Guys..I..overheard.." He looked sick, and was having trouble speaking. "I...I know what happened." He had their attention. Even though the room was completely silent, no one noticed as the door began to open behind him. A wave of anguish crossing Kaminari's face, he closed his eyes and finished his sentence.

"Midoriya...killed someone."

End of Chapter