'Shit...!'

"Are you sure it's such a good idea to leave her like that?" Izuku spoke, voicing what they were all thinking.

"It's your call Fat Gum, but she's only a first year." Rock Lock voiced, running alongside said hero.

Fat was quiet, leading the group. He trusted Yuko, the girl was strong and high spirited. He's known that since he found her training in a field with Night, when she was only fourteen. If she said she could do it, then he'd put his full trust in her.

"She's strong. Stronger then most pros." Fat's eyebrows furrowed as he spoke, thinking of the many things Yuko had informed him of. From the abuse from her guardian, to her father on his death bed.

"She's experienced things from good to bad, but she's always pulled through with a smile and full heart. She's had to work harder than many to make it where she is now. She's pushed herself to be the best she can be, trying to keep up with others. If she says she can do it."

Fat Gum's face hardened, looking back at the group, "then all I can do is trust in her!"


"Hush now dear, it's alright

let the dragon sing tonight"

A six year old Yuko sang softly, swinging her legs as she sat on a tree branch, the sound of children screaming and laughing below her, nothing but clear.

Bandages littered her legs, purple bruises peeking past the white wraps. On her left arm was a wrap starting from her elbow to her wrist. The wounds and bruises were obviously fresh, however she seemed unbothered as she sang to herself, a small smile on her face.

Peeking below her as a rock flew past her. she pursed her lips as a group of kids laughed and pointed at her. She sighed, standing on the branch as she began to climb higher, no longer wanting to be in the sight of her classmates.

"Be strong, don't listen to them. Do it for Daddy."


Yuko's crimson eyes were sharp as they narrowed on the duo in front of her. Blood coated her shoulder, her teeth grinding as she tried not to acknowledge the pain.

Ando held his injured wrist, mumbling to himself, obviously bothered that she had landed a good blow. Inoue stood beside his partner, examining the injury before glaring at the teen.

"Alright." Inoue hissed, "enough of this."

Yuko huffed, taking a shaky stance, ignoring the pain from her shoulder, and the oncoming headache due to the loss of blood. She tightened her grip on her trusted dagger, knowing she didn't have the strength for her staff.

Inoue's arms scaled over, fangs poking past his lips, and his eyes changing. She didn't know what reptile he was using, she never really payed attention to that kind of thing, though right now, she wished she had.

Yuko avoided making the first move, she didn't know his fighting style, or what he could do to her with his new form. She had to take the defensive.

Her teeth grinded as Ando seemed to forget about his bleeding wrist, -which was probably broken-, taking a stance beside Inoue, the blades on his knuckles now on full view. She held back a cringe, seeing her own blood painting the blade's once shiny surface.

Maybe it was the loss of blood, or maybe it was the distraction of her pain, but she was too slow to avoid the hit. Getting thrown back into a wall, her back arching as she gasped, her breath getting knocked out of her.

'Fuck!' She mentally hissed as a scaled hand pushed her head back, almost breaking her neck in the process. She yelped as a punch was thrown to her stomach, most likely breaking a rib or two.

'I underestimated them...' She knew she had as Inoue's laughing rang though her ears, her vision blurred, and her hearing distant.

Blood ran down her forehead as she panted. The two were stronger than she expected. Though, she thought that as her fault. She underestimated the duo.


"he will soar, through the sky

till he hears your soft cry"

Yuko didn't know why she loved that lullaby so much. It was just always there. She felt comforted and warm when she sang it. It calmed and soothed her. Whether it be after she was just beaten by Masashi, or tired after avoiding her bullies. It was there and she loved it.

The six year old lay in a small field, located in the woods just outside of her school. No one knew it was there, no one but her. They were too scared to step into "the haunted woods", however she was different. She found herself at peace, she never once feared what could happen. It was her safe haven.


Yuko grunted as she weakly kicked at the male holding her. Out of amusement, Inoue let her go, only for Ando to dig his blades into her right arm, slamming her against the wall yet again, erupting a cry from the female.

Why couldn't she move?

Had she really not grown any stronger since?

Has she always been this weak?

Something sank in her chest, a deep feeling that she instantly hated.

Fear


"A fiery look, and glowing eyes

A fire filled breath, and a smoky sight"

Crimson and Ruby eyes stared at each other, both holding fascination and confusion.

Yuko's bruised face held a grin as she stared at the scaled creature in front of her, it tilting it's head at her.

"You're a real dragon." She breathed out in awe, the black beast squawking in reply. It was so young, like her. It seemed so lost, just like her.

The six year old stared longer at the baby myth, before she held her arms out, ignoring the ache of her bones as they healed from her recently received beating.

The dragon stared at her, caution and confusion swirling in it's jewel colored eyes.

"I won't hurt you. I know what that's like and I'd hate for you to experience it." She spoke, a soft smile on her face, her eyes closed.

The beasts attention turned to the bandages and scars decorating her frail form. It understood right then and there.

It slowly brought it's snout to her face, resting it on the bandages on her cheek, huffing. Yuko's arms wrapped around the beast, smiling a sad smile.

"Yeah. It hurts. But don't worry, I'll protect you."


Yuko's crimson eyes glossed over as she was held against the wall, her beaten and bloody form having little energy to hold her up.

She thought back to her best friend, who no doubt, was doing exactly as she told him. Protecting everyone and taking down that one Hassaikai. He was brave and strong, and so loyal. He was her everything, her family. He was a dragon. Her dragon.


"Don't you worry now my dear

for he will not let you fear"

Seven year old Yuko yelped as she was thrown into a wall, Masashi standing over her.

"You stupid, useless brat." He growled. Yuko's eyes trailed to the broken glass laying a few feet a way. A beer bottle she had dropped by accident, having tripped when she was bringing it to the abusive alcoholic.

Yuko gulped down her tears, looking down, bowing her head, "I-I'm sorry, it wo-won't happ-en again!"

"Your right, it won't." He raised a hand, which held a empty bottle of beer, Yuko's eyes clenching shut as she waited for the hit.

Only to look up in surprise as she heard Masashi yell out. A black scaled reptile stood protectively in front of her, she instantly recognizing it.

"Night! No! Please go hide!" She cried, pushing herself to her feet, shakily.

Night didn't move as he glared at Masashi with fierce ruby eyes. He growled as his body lowered, his spiked tail in the air, and his wings spread slightly, baring his teeth in warning.

Despite being only half the size of the man in front of them, it was obvious who was at an advantage here.

"T-The hell?!" The drunk shouted, holding his bleeding arm, which Night had bitten.

Yuko looked down as the reptile's tail slid around her waist protectively. He was bigger than her, she being extremely frail. She looked up at Night, her eyes shining as the dragon continued to show no fear, only determination to protect the girl behind him.


The teen had always hated the feeling of fear, especially after she practically lived it when she was a child.

That's why, after that day, she made a promise to never show it again. However, she didn't reject it, she just, embraced it.


"Ya' know Yuko," Denki started, his arms behind his head, gaining the dragon riders attention. "You're like, never afraid." He stated out of the blue.

"Huh?" Yuko blinked.

"Yeah!" Mina shouted, jumping into the conversation, "you always seem so carefree. You're just so fearless. A sign of an amazing hero!"

Yuko stared at her friends, before shaking her head, "no."

"Huh?"

Yuko smiled, "I'm not fearless."

"That can't be true. I've never seen you panic or show even a hint of fear." Kyouka added, walking up to them, "like at camp."

Yuko looked down, shaking her head, "everyone is afraid sometimes. Even me. But there's always two types of people in every situation. The one who faces that fear and the one who cowers at it's mercy. And I'm neither."

She smiled a closed eyed smile, looking up at them, "It's called having the heart of a dragon!"


Inoue laughed as she looked at the teen, who's hair covered her face, her hood having fallen off. He grinned as she seemed to have no more fight left in her, exactly what he was aiming for.

"What happened to all that talk about beating us, huh?" He teased, receiving no response.

"What? Can't go anymore?"

Yuko's hands clenched, and her jaw tightened as she grunted, turning her head slightly, making eye contact with Inoue, who blinked at the fact she was still moving.

"That-" She cut herself off with a hitched grunt as Ando put more force on her already bleeding arms.

Her teeth gnashed together in a snarl, staring at the two, "that wasn't all talk."

She grabbed at Ando's injured wrist, scowling as she brought her leg up, kicking at the surprised Hassaikai. She panted as she was finally able to step away from the wall, glaring at the two as Ando pushed himself from where she kicked him back.

"I said I wouldn't let you pass." She took a stance, holding her bloodied arm, "and I intend to mean it."

Inoue scowled, but his face soon formed a grin, staring at the female's beaten form. "And how do plan to do that, huh? You can barely even stand."

He smirked, a crazed look in his eyes, "face it hero. You've lost."

Yuko wouldn't let him. She couldn't let him win. "I've experienced worst. I've lived through worst." She straightened out, her head tilting back as she raised her head high.

"I'm the hero that will never admit defeat, when I know I can still go on." Her face hardened, her voice strong.

"I'm the hero who fights past the fear." Inoue's eyes narrowed at the female, Ando shaking and twitching from beside him.

"I'm Doragon, the hero with a heart of a dragon."