Chapter 25: For Your Eyes Only

True love doesn't need proof. The eyes told what the heart felt."― Toba Beta, My Ancestor Was an Ancient Astronaut

Izuku

"You're not taking this seriously enough; I know you're stronger than the attacks you've been throwing at me Midoriya. Show me what the news has been saying about you, show me Infliction's raw power." Yawara reiterates.

His form hovers over him, arms crossed defiantly ready for him to do his worst.

'My worst is what's too dangerous.' He wants to remark back, though he knows that isn't going to satisfy him or make this training any easier doubting himself like this. If he's ever going to prove he has control over One for All and Infliction, he's going to need to show it.

'Strengthen my right hand.' He decides as he makes a fist, ready to aim straight for his chest.

The blow does little to faze Yawara, arching a brow as his dark eyes move to his tightened hand. "You didn't put your full force into that punch. Forget about the fact that I'm training you for a moment. Pretend I'm a villain, that I'm holding your parents hostage right behind me ready to kill them the second you fall to the ground. Would you really use such a weak punch in that case?" He questions.

He pictures the scenario, a desolate room, Mom and Dad curled up by each other teary, bloody, and uncertain of their coming fate.

"Or better yet, think of Uraraka, imagine it is her who the villains have set their sites on." Yawara further pushes, grinning at tinge of red that stains his cheeks.

Feelings, especially those regarding love always seem to strengthen a quirk's power.

And Yawara nods when his next hit actually stings, that a shooting pain rushes down his chest to his legs; reverberating. He feels his smirk widening across his lips at seeing the flash of rage in Izuku's eyes, the proof needed to show he can use his quirks at full force.

"Anger is what made Infliction manifest in the first place wasn't it? You shouldn't hide from your emotions." He reminds him, tapping at the violet-red bruise growing on his chest.

Izuku frowns, fury in his verdant orbs gone as fast it came. "I don't think I can just keep thinking of my loved ones in danger in order to ignite Infliction's power."

Yawara shakes his head, needing to explain it a different way. "I only mean that you should keep pushing your quirks to their absolute limits. Either by the encouragement of watching your fellow peers grow or by thinking of those you care about. From what I've seen, you just need to keep practicing and building up your muscles without all letting all your thoughts and worries get in the way."

Izuku gets to stretching then, by the end of this training he needs to be able to use both One for All and Infliction without letting them get out of control.

More so than that, he needs to prove it to himself so that others will know as well he truly is a Hero.

-X-

Ochako

"Wow, you're really going at it still Ochako! But don't you think you should take a proper break? It's almost dinner time now and I haven't seen you take a breather since we first started this morning!" Mina mentions by her left side.

At least she thinks it's the one to her left speaking, 4 of her faces spin around her threatening to turn into 5 when blinking to clear her vision makes none of them go away.

'That's because I haven't.' She thinks to herself, but knows better than to say aloud and further her worry.

Did she find her 3rd bout of vomit near the bushes? Ugh, she should've done a better job of hiding it, though at the time she had been too tired to care and figured the grassy terrain, mud, and ants would take care of the issue. Or worse, does she know she hasn't had anything to properly eat since breakfast in the hopes her nausea would be kept at bay if she had nothing on her stomach?

Either way, she's caught now.

"No, I'm fine. Working on enhancing my quirk, trying to strengthen it beyond what it currently is." She manages out, her voice sounding fuzzy and slurred even to her own ears.

She barely passed her finals after all, Aizawa-sensei made a point to tell her and Aoyoma that during the feedback portion of reviewing the physical portion of their test.

"You'd both be in remedials if not for that burst of energy you had at the end Uraraka." Aizawa reads from their report, looking back up to the pair.

"Yes sir." They reply in unison.

His jet-black eyes linger on her though and Ochako feels herself stiffen before she can calm herself, how many times has he and the rest of the faculty rewound through that tape of her and Aoyoma against Thirteen? Seen the anger flare in her eyes when Aoyoma had to go and mention Izuku's name?

She shakes away the memory, this embarrassment and frustration starting to seep into her.

Her skin feels hot and sticky all over as Mina helps her to sit up, sky a burnt orange-violet shade telling of evening's approach. How many hours has it been? The last time she had looked to the sky it had still been a bright blue and cloudless.

Golden orbs study her carefully before a familiar smirk starts to cross her lips.

'Oh no, that's her cat-smile!' Ochako winces, scooting herself back.

Mina only scoots herself closer, leaning in to her as if about to indulge in a secret. "Your behavior today wouldn't happen to be because of a certain green-haired classmate of ours, would it?"

"Tsuyu?" Ochako guesses, feigning pretend to maybe distract her from continuing this conversation. Even this exhausted she can feel her cheeks start to burn, heartbeat beginning to pulse faster in her ears. It'd be nice if there was a guy she could tease Mina about as much as she equally teases her.

And she finds herself nearly about to float off away from this subject and Mina's nosiness, Mina reaffirming her grip on her arm just as her legs lift off the ground.

"Hey, no using your Zero Gravity to escape!" She scolds her.

"Also Tsuyu? No, don't play dumb with me and try and switch this topic!" Mina adds in after a moment, eyes narrowing before she starts grinning again. "The only guy in our class with green hair is Midoriya. So, spill all the details! And I don't mean you puking, you two have been much closer. Don't think Tsu and I didn't see you two holding hands, oh and Momo said she saw you come back late to the girl's dorms like right as curfew hit last night! She wanted to reprimand you about it, but you look so tired she didn't want to make you worry."

'Great, so many people know about Izuku and I?! On the other hand, I don't think we really did much to hide it on the bus ride over. I wonder if Izuku is being teased like this by the guys or not?' Ochako wonders.

Besides Mineta and Kaminari maybe, the guys in their class didn't seem like the type to tease or bother with the subject of dating or romance.

'Like you should be, you know romance is a distraction. Feelings get in the way of a hero's job and makes them a target for a villain. It got in the way of saving Mom and Dad's business in time after all, don't forget. And besides, how many heroes are even in a relationship?' A darker thought sprouts up questioning her decisions, herself. It slithers out from the back of her mind after being pushed down for so long, the fears she couldn't dissipate.

Bile swims back up, tears pricking the ends of her eyes as she swallows the acidic mix back down. For so long she ignored that voice and let her heart win only for it to make a reappearance now...

She sinks her head between her knees, trying to settle her breathing and get a hold on the flush of her face.

Mina rubs at her back, sensing her mood. "Geez, you really did do a number on yourself out there! Come on, I'll help you up and back. I overheard Pixie-Bob and Ragdoll saying we're roughing it camping/survival style tonight in making our own dinner, but I'll help you with needing to gather any materials if you're feeling too lightheaded." Mina notes as she gets them into a standing position.

"Thanks, I know I need to get some water and food on my stomach whatever we manage to rummage up." Ochako replies with a weak smile.

"And afterwards you're telling me all the details, no use thinking you can escape from my questioning!" Mina beams.

Maybe she should've just persuaded Mina to let her sit in the last remnants of the sunlight to boil, Aizawa-sensei or one of the Pussy-cats would've came for her eventually.

It would've delayed this painful conversation, already picturing the other girls huddled around her, curious as well over her strange behavior as of late.

They take the trail back to the facility slowly one step at a time, Ochako pausing at seeing a figure near the bushes watching them.

'Kota?' She blinks, her vision still feels too blurry to tell if it is really him or not. No, this figure looks far too big to be him. They step back deeper into the shadows of the forest, ensuring the sun doesn't catch against them.

'Who is that?!' She tenses feeling the pressure of their gaze, a chill coursing through making her stop to rub at her eyes properly.

"What's wrong?!" Mina panics at their abrupt halt, Ochako pointing into the woods.

"Someone's there!" She hisses.

But when she looks again, that looming presence, the figure outlined along edges of the bushes and trees is gone.

-X-

Katsuki

'This is some of the worst curry I've ever had.'

Though it is edible, so there's that.

And considering almost none of them prior to this had survivalist skills or could cook beyond a basic ramen meal, this is a step in the right direction should they find themselves alone in a dense forest or hazardous environment as a Hero.

He takes another mouthful of rice and beef, sloshing it down with water quickly before any of the burnt or overcooked pieces can hit his tongue. It isn't cold thankfully thanks to Todoroki's use of his fire side, though that's about one of the only positives he can say about this meal.

His eyes soon enough find their way back to Deku, grunting when he sees him heading in his direction.

"Kacchan, is there something you need to say to me?" Izuku questions, sitting down across from him.

'There it is again, that guarded look.' Green eyes shine with curiosity and the faintest tinge of annoyance he's sure most would miss if they didn't know him better.

"I mean you've been staring at me off and on since this trip started, so if you have something to say just get it out of the way now." He continues at his silence.

Katsuki straightens at that, scoffing. "And people think I have a horrible mouth, they just haven't seen you yet when you're truly mad."

Izuku pauses, taking a slow bite of his curry. "You're pissed about everything with All Might I get that, though it isn't my secret to tell or-."

"Yeah? Well, he isn't telling it to me either even when I've cornered him." Katsuki interrupts.

A heavy silence envelops them then, Katsuki clicking his tongue as a salty slice of beef hits the side of his mouth. "...Whatever, you don't have to tell me now. Actually, I would prefer you didn't so I can figure it out on my own. I know enough to assume All Might gave you something, something that makes that regular quirk of yours even more stronger."

The spark in his eyes is enough for him to know he's on the right track, Izuku speaking up again after a moment.

"How do you deal with it?" He suddenly asks.

Katsuki can feel the urge to roll his eyes coming at the abrupt change of topic. "What ramble are you about to go into?"

"How do you deal with it when people tell you aren't fit to be a Hero? That you act nothing like a Hero? Because I mean, not to be harsh Kacchan, but you're rude, impulsive, and curse in nearly every sentence you say." Izuku continues on.

'Where is this coming from; did All Might put him up to this?' It sounds far too much like an old conversation they've had regarding his behavior and he mulls it over for a second before dropping it, sighing.

All Deku came here for was advice it seems, advice on blocking out all the shit the media has said about his quirk and the whispers behind his back.

"Since when have you known me to give a crap about what other people think, huh Deku? I know I'm a hero and that's all that matters and even though you're annoying as all hell, you're here to be a Hero too! Why, are you still upset that kid over there rammed his foot right into your junk?"

In response to that he sees the faint glow of Izuku's eyes, hand abruptly cracking forcing him to drop his fork.

"Using Infliction like that is the very reason that kid could be afraid of you." Katsuki remarks under his breath just loud enough for him to hear. Sure enough when he looks over Izuku's shoulder he can see Kota watching them under the shade of trees, surprise coloring his features having witnessed Infliction up close.

"It isn't just about Kota though, it's about any civilian. I want him to see that Infliction can be used for good, the good Heroes bring to their communities and cities." Izuku explains.

Katsuki shrugs his shoulders, sliding the last bits of beef around on his plate. "You're preaching this to the wrong person Deku. Besides, how is he going to be less afraid when you just nearly bent my hand backwards?"

A grin slightly etches across Izuku's face then.

"So that he knows I'm stronger than he first thought and that should anything happen at this camp, I can protect him."

Katsuki snorts, what a nerdy/cliché thing to say, completely like Deku through and through.

'You should worry about your own protection.' He thinks, but keeps to himself.

He's sure the villains haven't stopped watching him, if anything they pay him even more attention now than ever before.

If All Might trusted Deku with something, they who are only First Years, then it must be important enough to not let the villains get a hold of it. His stomach slushes, revolting against this meal while his mind replays everything he's learned so far from interacting with All Might, Endeavor, and Todoroki.

And then like a spark, it hits him. The shift in Izuku's power, the similarities between his moves compared to All Might's back in his heyday and early days as a Hero...

It always boiled down to quirks.

He skids his plate away, appetite gone.

-X-

Elsewhere

"I call dibs on the girl with the chestnut hair and big tits, I've seen enough to know she's one of Midoriya's closest connections here!" Muscular chuckles. He pictures the moment he will crush his hands around her neck or tiny lithe body, turn her skin a ghastly blue to white as the light leaves her auburn eyes.

She may actually put up a fight too, that would make it even more interesting.

Only a few meters away and yet none of them have still made any official contact.

"Her name is Ochako Uraraka if that helps! And I'll have you know, I already called dibs on her. We're going to indulge in each other's blood and become best friends again!" Toga chirps, adjusting the backpack of equipment lugging her down.

Ugh, why did she even agree to wear such a contraption? It seems like this thing will only slow her down once the plan goes into motion.

"You're both being too impatient, the sun hasn't even completely set yet." Dabi interrupts before they can get into an argument. His gaze twists towards the sky, moon silver and full overhead before he creates a sapphire flame of warning between the two when neither seem to hear him.

"None of us are making a move until we're all here. The point of this attack is to show that the peace Heroes have brought to the world was only temporary, that anarchy and chaos can't be so easily buried down." Dabi explains.

Mustard blows out a harsh breath, loud enough for him to hear to his opposite side. Even with his mask on he can tell he is frustrated with the idea of waiting any longer, wanting to finally properly put his quirk to use against U.A.'s newest freshman classes.

"Tonight; everyone should be here by then. I'm not going to wait any longer." He hisses before heading back to base.

Toga watches him go, giggle bubbling up taking in his slouched stance. "Aww, he's feeling a bit jealous of how close U.A.'s students are with each other! It's cute to see him be so jelly of what he doesn't have!"

Dabi peers back at him as well, making sure he is indeed staying on path.

"I mean it, no one attacks until nightfall has truly set in; the plan is a-go as soon as I give you all the signal." He reiterates.

And he waits until he gets a chorus of agreement before letting his flame flicker out.

-X-

Ochako

"Are you sure you're feeling better now?" Tsuyu questions her warily.

Mina had given her an update on Ochako's condition over dinner, not taking no for an answer when she offered her extra rice and vegetables off of her plate.

"I'm fine, honest! I just pushed myself harder than I should have!" Ochako keeps her voice as casual as possible, breezy and easygoing.

Still, Tsuyu's sisterly instincts have already kicked in. From checking her temperature, asking if she's cold, really just assessing her from head to toe looking for any signs in her face or body that give away she is sicker than she says.

"Well, if you aren't feeling well let me know. There's no reason to push yourself on account of a Test of Courage game." She notes.

"It's more than just a Test of Courage though. It's showing how we can handle our reflexes and keep our emotions in check within darkness/ high-stress scenarios." Ochako remarks back.

And in 10 minutes, it's going to be their turn to head into the forests.

She pauses at noticing a rustle by the bushes, Kota's trademark hat peeking out of the thorns heading in the direction of the trail leading to his secret base overlooks that overlooks the surrounding greenery and mountains.

"Oh, give me a second! I'm just going to use the restroom before it's our turn." Ochako calls back to Tsuyu, picking up the pace to catch up with the boy.

"You don't need to keep checking in on me you know." Kota mentions without looking back at her, tone laced with same familiar sharpness from before.

"Well, it can't be helped; you and I share a bond now after all!" Ochako brightens, even though Kota's glare says the opposite.

"Actually, we don't." Kota answers back flatly, about move around her as she reaches a hand out.

He instantly twists back to her, putting his own hands up spraying a blast of water close enough to hit the tips of her hair.

"No way, I'm prepared this time! I'm not letting you float me off the ground again!" Kota snaps, Ochako blinking before feeling her grin widen.

"So Deku's research was right. You share your Parent's quirks." She states out lightly.

A tinge of red stains across his face, lips twisting into a deeper scowl.

"I...I don't use it! I never want to use my quirk again after seeing what happened to Mom and Dad..." He emphasizes heatedly, bristling at the memory.

It's his parent's quirks, their very desire to choose being a Hero over staying with him that got them killed.

Ochako's gaze softens, bending herself down into the grass beside him. The pointed blades poke and itch at her knees, though she keeps a steady gaze on Kota's watery dark eyes.

And before he can step back, she pulls him into a hug, squeezing despite his squirming and cries to let go.

"I know it hurts Kota. But me, Deku, and even the other Wild Wild Pussycats don't want you to suffer alone. Deku especially, he knows what it's like to feel useless, to feel alone particularly in the days before his Infliction quirk activated." She explains gently.

Finally, Kota relaxes enough to stop fighting her hug and she picks up on the distinct scent of tears filling the air.

"...You're only saying that because he's your boyfriend!" Kota hisses after a moment and Ochako feels her face redden, but she nods her agreement.

"Just give Deku a chance, for me maybe? I mean he can't be so bad if he's not holding a grudge against you for your assault. He didn't look up your parents out of malice, he and I just want to understand you better." She supplies.

Kota nods silently, roughly rubbing at his eyes.

"Ochako, we need to get going! It's our turn next to head into the woods!" Tsuyu's voice echoes from behind her.

Ochako moves herself into a standing position, patting at Kota's shoulders and brushing away remnants of his tears.

"Think about what I said, okay?" She assures him, turning to meet back with Tsuyu.

She wrinkles her nose just as the moon becomes obscured by the branches, freezing in place watching as a dense purple-gray haze begins to coat along the trees and air.

'What is that?'

A sliver of nausea starts to sting at her throat and she covers her mouth and nose as best she can to not inhale any of the smoke in. She glances back to Kota to ensure he doesn't breathe in any of the thick fog in only to see the same shadowy figure from earlier hovering just a few feet from him.

Watching her.

-X-

Izuku

"I'm sure none of us are going to be scared or freaked out!" Kaminari jests, nudging Izuku's shoulder excitedly as they watch Class 1-B enter the forest.

Hell, they should be afraid knowing what he's seen of Infliction so far!

"It depends though on the tactics Class-B comes up with to stop us in our tracks. For example, Yanagi can make any nearby objects move telekinetically with her quirk creating the potential for illusions and Shishida has his beast form which enhances his sense of smell and hearing so any potential moves or steps could be tracked by him early or-"

"Dude, don't talk about all the ways we could lose this! Come on, we've had far more combat training than them; we got this!" Kaminari asserts, interrupting him before he goes into listing how all of Class 1-B's quirks can be somehow used against them.

Izuku studies the surrounding area, pausing as a thick smog curls around the trees and starts to coat the air.

'Hold on, nobody in Class 1-B has a quirk that involves smoke or gas of any type...that means!'

They're striking; now.

His eyes widen in panic, putting his arm up to his nose to block out the toxic air.

"Kaminari, don't breathe any of this air in; get low to the ground!" He immediately orders, nerves sparking when he watches Kaminari collapse to the ground.

'Air. I need to get to clean air outside the perimeter of the forest!' He quickly decides, removing his jacket to create a makeshift mask for Kaminari before crawling through the shrubbery to get towards the cliff's edge.

He hears voices towards the spot he saw Kota the night before, frowning as he moves to a standing position to listen better.

"I've been watching all you brats for awhile now, you in particular remind me of an old bitchy Ex of mine before I crushed in that smartass mouth of hers." He chuckles at the grisly memory. His hand drifts then to the bloodied spot on his head, smirking and licking his lips as a trail of scarlet trickles down his cheek.

"It's good you use your environment to your advantage I'll give you that, enough for me to not see that boulder you walloped into me. It's too bad for you though my quirk amplifies my muscles making that boulder seem like only a pebble." He presses on.

Izuku trails his gaze in the direction he speaks towards the sky, nerves from before sending shockwaves down his body.

Ochako and Kota.

Ochako who defiantly stares down the man he saw in the very same article that discussed the Water Duo's deaths. Kota a mess of tears and snot, frozen as ice in her arms taking in the coat of blood mixed in along her hair.

She's floated far enough away to be out the immediate range of his next attack, however Muscular looks ready to leap himself up to continue this fight.

Quickly he pulls out his phone, shooting an emergency text through the group chat and to Aizawa-sensei of his location and the villain before him.

And then he steps forward, verdant eyes burning.

Ochako's eyes flickers his way for the briefest second, seeing everything she needs to know in his eyes to give him a barely perceptible nod.

"A violent blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury. Though it has to be a fast enough force to truly cause lasting damage." Recovery Girl reviews with him.

"Do most people lose consciousness after such a hit?" Izuku questions, glancing up from his notes.

Chiyo shakes her head, tapping the side of her face. "No, in fact most people don't. This is especially true in this day in age with how many quirks out there can block or mitigate such an attack. Still, once that hit lands especially if it is to say the frontal lobe or occipital lobe, one can expect symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and even loss of vision."

His head, that's what he must aim for.

'Strengthen my right leg!'

"Get away from them!" He yells out, launching himself forward enough to catch Muscular's attention, enough for his eyes to luckily turn away from the pair directly onto him.

-x-

Early morning update for me! Feels like I'm on a bit of a roll, I had more free time to get this chapter out! I plan for more Izuku x Ochako interacts from this altered forest camp training next chapter since there wasn't as much in this one I feel. Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated!

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