I'm With you, Forever, The End

by Katsuki-1x

In the world of quirks 90% of the population has a quirk. Scientists believe that soulmates and quirks are somehow linked. Izuku and Katsuki are training at the beach when Izuku finds a fruit. Izuku eats the fruit and gains a power. On the beach the boys save a group of strangers that have washed up on shore. Izuku finds out what is power is and what it is called when the stranger

48. Chapter 48: Calm before the storm p1

Chapter 48: Calm before the storm part 1

Summary: The pack trains with the ninja, while also teaching Haki to the group. Eri, Izuku, and Katsuki bonding time.

Inko has always been a bit over-emotional when it comes to her children. Yes, children. Izuku may be her only flesh and blood, but Inko is still a worrywart when it comes to the safety of the other boys as well. When she got a call from her Izuku after his mission she couldn't choke down the fear that something was terribly wrong. Why else would her son be calling from the hospital if he wasn't injured? But she has faith in her boy, so when he said he was exhausted but uninjured she just had to trust him.

She gets ready and, in the truck, faster than what should be possible of a woman with no training, she makes it to the hospital in record time. No time to be distracted about what-ifs and possibilities. That's for later when she has time to process.

She approaches the reception desk jittery and struggling to stop shaking, "hello ma'am?" The woman at the counter greets.

Inko flashes a smile at the woman, "Hello, I'm looking for a patient named Izuku Midoriya. Can you tell me what room he is in?"

"Yes, Ma'am." The receptionist types the information into her computer and hums. "What is your relationship with the patient?"

"I'm his mother, Inko Midoriya." She pulls out her ID to prove her claims.

The lady hums as she studies the ID, "Ah yes, Midoriya was emitted about an hour ago. He is not in critical status so he should be able to see visitors. However, his room is flagged for some reason."

Panic rises on Inko's face, "what does that mean?"

The woman smiles softly, "Let me get his doctor."

Inko nods and waits as patiently as she can for the doctor to arrive, anxiety and panic threatening to take over. Sometimes she can't help but wish her son stayed powerless. Yes, it would have been detrimental to Izuku to break his promise to his only friend turned Soulmate, but sometimes when the panic sets in she can't help wishing her son never found Fuji. She shakes her head of the intrusive thoughts; she knows the career her boys have chosen will not be an easy one. And if she was honest with herself, she has to admit that she can sleep a little better at night knowing her son was gifted with a power that heals him.

She is so lost in her thoughts that she doesn't realize the doctor has arrived to speak with her. A hand waving in front of her face alerts her to the presence of a doctor. She tries to contain her startled flinch and yelp, but she fails miserably. She blushes brightly, embarrassed that she was caught so off guard.

The Doctor clears his throat, a small smile on his face, "Hello, you must be Ms. Midoriya?"

"Yes, that's me" Inko confirms shakily, "what has happened to my son? Why is his room flagged?"

The doctor's smile softens at the clear panic on a concerned mother's face. "Ma'am your son was involved in a mission that could have cost multiple people to lose their lives." Inko gasps and holds her fist to her mouth. "That being said, your son is only exhausted. After defeating Overhaul, the girl they saved lost control of her quirk due to being overwhelmed. Eraserhead was able to erase the girl's quirk to prevent any damage to Izuku. Your son was unconscious for about 30 seconds before he woke up and brought the girl to the paramedics. Nighteye was severely injured and would have died if not for your son expending almost all his energy to heal him. The paramedics at the scene advised your son to spend the night at the hospital to treat his exhaustion."

Inko sighs relieved, "ok that's better than I was expecting." She gains a thoughtful look on her face, "but why is his room flagged if he is only recovering from exhaustion?"

The doctor sighs and flashes Inko a reassuring smile, "a few reasons really. First is the girl they saved has an unstable quirk, unless Aizawa or I am in the room it is unsafe to be in there."

"What about Izuku, is he safe in there with the girl?" Inko worries.

The doctor chuckles, "that is the second reason, your son growls at everyone that enters the room not accompanied by one of us. It's not the girl we are worried about. The girl has been asleep since they arrived."

Inko sags relieved, "of course." She flashes the doctor a smile, "Izuku is very protective of the people he has claimed."

"Yes, I have noticed." The doctor looks at her with a knowing look. He smirks, "when I went to get vitals on Nighteye and the girl, the blond teen was in his bed with him. Typically it is against hospital policy to have a visitor climb into a patient's bed. I gave them one look and decided I didn't want to deal with it."

Inko laughs, "I figured something like that would happen."

"One of the nurses tried to force the teen to leave, she almost lost her hand because of it." The doctor states.

"Oh dear," Inko gasps.

"So that is why the room is flagged." The doctor finishes as he leads Inko to her son's room.

She enters the room quietly not wanting to disturb her son, or the sleeping blond gremlin curled up next to him. She stifles her giggles behind her hand as she pulls a chair over to sit next to her boys. She takes a moment to observe the others in the room. Her eyes land on Nighteye, he is currently attached to multiple machines monitoring his health, there is an IV drip giving the man blood. She takes in the slight rise and fall of the man's chest, while shallow she can tell the man is asleep and not unconscious. She can guess what happened to the man looking at the bandages covering the man's torso and arm, if her son expended all his energy to heal the older man his wounds must have been devastating. She is glad her son won't lose a precious person.

Her eyes flit to the other occupant of the room, a little girl no older than 6 maybe 7 years- old. Long white matted hair stuck to a slightly sweaty forehead. While it looks like the doctors tried to wipe the grime and caked-on dirt the little girl could definitely benefit from a bath. There are bandages covering all the visible skin on the girl's arms and legs. Inko holds back her tears, how can someone do this to a child. She remembers what Izuku told her on the phone, 'if anyone deserves a kind-hearted mother, it's her." Inko can't help but agree.

"Mom?" her son croaks next to her.

She scurries to retrieve some water that was put aside and put the straw to her son's lips. "Izuku? How are you feeling?"

Izuku drinks from the water and clears his throat a few times he tests his voice, "better. Not as tired anymore." He whispers. Inko watches with a smile as Katsuki cringles his face in displeasure at the slight movement Izuku makes. Izuku settles again and tightens his hold on Katsuki while rubbing a hand through his soulmate's hair. The smile on her son's face is soft, filled with love and admiration.

"How did the mission go sweety?" Inko coughs to hid her cooing. She won't bring up such an intimate look and embarrass her boy.

Something in Izuku's eyes changes as he searches frantically around the room. His eyes fall on Nighteye first, cataloging and studying the man's breathing and heart rate. Once satisfied his eyes flit to the little girl, something fierce, and protectively dangerous to some in his eyes. It's gone in a flash, but Inko knows this look. Somehow the little girl managed to earn Izuku's protection, this is a look Izuku gets when he decides no matter what happens he will protect this little girl. "It was a disaster." Izuku glares at nothing eyes glazing over as he relives the mission in his head. A slight growl rips out of his throat, features shifting to look slightly more feral. Inko reaches out to soothe her son, but she stops as Katsuki without waking runs his fingers up Izuku's back and pops a small sparking explosion between her son's wings. Izuku whines as his grip on Katsuki strengthens and he releases a sigh.

Inko smiles softly at the two, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Izuku whimpers low in his throat, biting his lip, unsure if he wants to burden his mother with the details of the mission. Izuku's mother is patiently waiting for her son to decide if he wants to talk. He sighs and controls his emotions, so he doesn't wake his sleeping soulmate. "Nighteye was investigating a case involving the Yakuza and the appearance of a quirk boosting drug on the black market. Nighteye believed the ringleader was in the area, when me, Kacchan, Ace, Luffy, and Shoto went to Might Tower to offer our assistance Nighteye sent me and Kacchan out to grab food. He thought if Overhaul spotted him or Shanks he would go back into hiding. While we were walking to the shop, I felt an overwhelming sense of terror, fear, and desperation, so naturally, I slowed down near the entrance to an alleyway. The feeling got stronger, and I sensed it was coming right for me, so I braced myself for impact. Eri ran into me and…" Izuku chokes as tears build in his eyes. He takes a few moments to compose himself, "she was trembling, begging me to save her. Overhaul caught up to her, and I didn't want to give her back. I called attention to all her bandages accusing him of abusing the girl. He asked me to follow him into the alley so he can explain, he was embarrassed. I wasn't paying attention to his reasons, they didn't matter. No child should be abused regardless of the reasons. But as Overhauls bloodlust filled the alley, Eri jumped out of my arms and while I know that I would not have been able to take him on at that moment I felt like I betrayed her. Before she leaped from my arms, she begged me to promise to save her. I promised that she would be out of there by the end of the night."

Inko moves to hug her son, "you kept your promise to her."

"I know." Izuku hiccups. "After the encounter, Kacchan and I waited on top of the roof of the building they went into. We waited for everyone to show up. Nighteye wasn't going to raid the hideout tonight we were going to wait for the rest of the heroes to arrive. But there was a kid involved and we couldn't just leave her there. So instead of raiding the hideout with the different agencies, it was just us. We got wind that they had quirk erasing bullets so I didn't bring the entire pack, I would have been too focused on making sure they didn't get their quirks stolen that I probably would have lost mine. So it was just Nighteye, his sidekick, Aizawa, Shanks, Kacchan, Ace, Luffy, Shoto, 2 ninjas, and me. We got split up so, Kacchan, Neji, and I kept going."

"Neji?" Inko asks confused.

Izuku brightens, "Oh Neji is one of the ninjas we got from the elemental nations. He has an ability like x-ray vision."

"Ah." Inko nods in understanding. She knows a little of the otherworld missions. Apparently, Fuji said there was a way to rescue his kin, her son of course jumped on the chance to save Fuji's family. She knows there is more to it than that, but she also knows she won't get any information until she needs it.

"So with Neji's x-ray vision and my sensing we were able to make it to Eri and Overhaul before he had the chance to flee. I managed to knock out his two goons quick enough and took Eri from them, but Overhaul sealed the room with his quirk cutting me off from Kacchan and Neji. So I had to defend against overhaul while making sure Eri was safe. One of his goons woke up and Overhaul told him to shoot me with the quirk erasing bullets. The goon figured I would keep dodging if he shot directly at me, so he aimed at Eri, and I shielded her."

Inko gasps and holds her hand over her face, "No…"

"When I got shot, I didn't lose my quirk, I have a few theories as to why." Izuku starts to mutter his theories but before he can go off on a tangent Katsuki tightens his arms around Izuku, breaking him out of his rambling. Izuku shakes his head, "I may not have lost it, but it was erratic for a while, all the training I did to control it vanished. It was like I just received it. I adjusted quickly enough. Eventually, the others caught up and since Nighteye, Shanks, and Aizawa were there we tried to escape with Eri. Overhaul taunted Eri, and in her fear, she started running to Overhaul. She is such a kind girl, she would rather live in suffering than see anyone get hurt because of her. After that, it's a little hard to remember what happened. I know Nighteye was fatally injured and Aizawa was missing, and I think Luffy broke the ceiling. Overhaul tried to escape through the hole Luffy made and I unleashed all my feathers to try and stop him. Eri's quirk activated, and she leaped from Overhaul, and I caught her." Izuku watches Eri with a small smile on his face. "She doesn't know how to turn off her quirk."

"What's her quirk?" Inko asks.

"Rewind." Izuku states, "She has the ability to rewind people. But because she doesn't know how to turn it off, she can rewind someone to nonexistence. She was able to rewind me to the point before I was shot, so I regained control over my own quirk. I tried to put her down, but I noticed I was still rewinding, but I was able to learn the rate that she was rewinding me. So I had to give her quirk something to rewind. I unleashed all the power I could control so she could rewind the strain. When the fight was over, she started panicking because there was nothing for her to rewind anymore. She didn't want to hurt me, but in her panic, her quirk intensified. Luckily Shanks was able to find Aizawa quickly and brought him to us. Aizawa erased both our quirks. Eri has been unconscious since. Once her quirk wore off me, I woke up feeling like I was fully rested. I couldn't sense Nighteye, so I panicked and begged Kacchan to let me heal him. I promised I was fine, I have to thank Eri, if it wasn't for her quirk rewinding me, I wouldn't have had enough energy to save Nighteye. After I healed Nighteye I checked on the others, they were safe, so I listened to the paramedics and came to the hospital to rest."

"I hate that you were injured." Inko sobs, "But I understand that sometimes it is necessary, I am glad you were able to keep your promise to Eri. Nighteye will live, everyone is safe, but I can't help but worry about you."

"I know, mom." Izuku flashes a small reassuring smile. "I made a promise to Kacchan when Overhauls goons shot me, I shielded us with my feathers I thought since my wings weren't really connected to me that the quirk destroying bullet wouldn't affect me. Once I felt the effects of Eri's quirk I ran through every single possibility of making it out alive. The only option I had was to strain my body faster than she could rewind it. Out of all the plans I came up with I used the one with the least risk to myself to ensure mine and Eri's survival."

"I'm glad." Inko hugs her son tightly, ignoring the grumbling coming from Katsuki. She pulls away and now that she has heard about the mission and why her son is in the hospital, she finally releases a relieved breath. As she releases her son, Katsuki makes himself more comfortable on Izuku's chest. The blanket that was covering the blonde teen was disturbed during her hug and she notices Katsuki is wearing just an undershirt. It only takes a moment to realize he only had his hero costume, which she notices is piled on the chair next to the bed. She observes Katsuki as he wraps an arm around Izuku, she notices the orange markings that travel along the teen's arms. Around his wrist, just barely visible under her son's tail looks like broken ribbon-like chains binding him. Around his neck appears to be the same chains. She raises a questioning eyebrow at her son and points to the chains.

Izuku blushes and rubs the back of his neck, "Oh I suppose, these features are new to you." His eyes flash protectively, "Since our soulmate bond is so strong Kacchan unlocked his soulmate ability."

"I don't understand," Inko states confused.

Izuku sighs, "Long story short, the soulmate ability I passed to Kacchan, is the awakening of his Spirit Animal."

"Oh?" Inko gains an excited gleam in her eyes, "Do you know what animal he has."

"Fenrir" Izuku growls protectively.

Now that Inko knows Katsuki's spirit animal is Fenrir, the chains and markings look familiar. She remembers hearing about the myth of Fenrir and his apparent involvement in Ragnarok. But she has a feeling she doesn't know the full story. She wisely chooses her words, "How did Fenrir become Katsuki's spirit animal I thought he was still imprisoned?"

A protective growl rumbles out of her son's chest, "When the gods imprisoned Fenrir, they left him chained to his prison. When he howled for his freedom, they pried his mouth open by stabbing a sword in his mouth to silence his cries. Before Fuji was sealed in a fruit, he heard Fenrir's cries and saved him. Fenrir is only loyal to Fuji. When Fuji was sealed Fenrir searched for him through the realms until he died. Somehow, he became Kacchan's spirit animal. When Kacchan and I were training our shared abilities, we used more power than we have ever used before. That sped up the transformation process, after the power faded Kacchan had Wolf's ears. We meditated to talk to Fuji, and I think Fenrir sensed his friend and woke up in a rage."

"What do you mean, woke up in a rage?" Inko asks concerned.

Izuku smiles fondly at the memory, "he was scared and angry. When he woke up, he thought I was keeping Fuji prisoner. Fuji managed to calm him down. He called Kacchan a brat and I shouted at him. Eventually, he went back into Kacchan telling Fuji to call on him if he ever needs help. Apparently, Kacchan was threatening Fenrir to make him into a fur coat if he hurt me." Izuku finished with a little chuckle.

Inko chuckles, "They sound so similar. I guess I'm not too surprised. I always thought Katsuki had a wolfish side to him. Though I thought it was because of all the time you two spent together."

Izuku's face turns serious feeling Katsuki tense and slight trembles coming from his tight frame. He shifts his hand to rub against Katsuki's soul mark while tightening his tails around him to offer comfort. He knows Katsuki is awake, but he is scared to face Inko in case she thinks any different of him. Izuku knows Katsuki views Inko like a mother, and he knows his soulmate wouldn't know what to do if he saw her look at him in fear or disgust. "I was scared for Kacchan when his feature started to show up. I mean he looks badass with Fenrir's markings. But I couldn't help remembering how I was treated when Fuji woke up and I started getting his features. I didn't want Kacchan to go through that."

Inko hears the silent plea in her son's voice, the hidden panic. She coos, "I would never look at any of my boys differently. I know you Izuku, Fuji didn't change how I see you. Sure you make me worry more but I will always love you. Same for Katsuki, it doesn't matter to me if he has Fenrir's markings. He is still Katsuki Bakugo, my son. I will love you both regardless of what animals you share your soul with."

Katsuki's breath hitches, "Thank you, ma" is whispered, vulnerably.

"Oh, Katsuki you're awake? How did you sleep?" Inko frets.

Katsuki opens his eyes to look at Inko showing her his wolf-like eyes, "fine."

"That's good." Inko smiles warmly at her boys. "I meant what I said Katsuki, you will always be my son."

Katsuki blushes and hides his face in embarrassment mumbling unintelligible words. Izuku chuckles at Katsuki's embarrassment. Katsuki raises his head, eyes filled with awe at such a sound.

Inko hides a chuckle as she observes the two, Katsuki is so smitten, so utterly gone for Izuku. She stands up, "I'm going to get something to eat, you both need to rest more."

Izuku hums but doesn't respond because he is too absorbed with staring into Katsuki's awe-filled eyes. Katsuki doesn't register Inko saying anything or leaving. The only thought in Katsuki's head is how beautiful Izuku is when he laughs.

In a daze, Katsuki pulls Izuku into a sweet kiss, wanted nothing more than to taste such a beautiful, captivating, smile. Izuku whimpers in the kiss and melts against the bed pulling Katsuki closer to him. They kiss passionately until the need for air becomes so great, they need to separate. Not too far, because neither boy thinks they can physically handle any distance greater than the space required to breathe. Katsuki is the first to regain his composer, realizing they are still in the hospital he lowers his head to Izuku's chest. Izuku lets Katsuki retreat, there will be plenty of time later for shared kisses and small moments together in private. Izuku runs his fingers down his soulmate's back, letting his healing flames dance along the edges of Katsuki's mark.

Katsuki hums and snuggles closer to Izuku a pleased, quietly muffled sigh escapes him. "Nerd?"

Izuku hums, continuing his mindless finger doodles. He waits for Katsuki to get his thoughts together. Izuku knows Katsuki was terrified, evident from the way Katsuki tightens his hold and trembles slightly. Izuku hums a gentle tune, increasing the intensity of his flames on Katsuki's back. Katsuki shivers, tension leaving his shoulders, "for once I'm glad Nighteye was wrong."

Izuku hums consideringly, "I'm sorry, Kacchan."

Katsuki huffs, "for what, Nerd? You have nothing to be sorry for."

Izuku shakes his head, a small sad smile on his face, "for making you worried."

In a moment of vulnerability, Katsuki's breath hitches, the shirt pressed into his face is damp with his tears. He felt useless during the mission, he barely did anything except distract Overhaul for a moment and retrieve the civilians still in the buildings Overhaul was deconstructing in his rage to get Eri back. The sound of a bullet hitting flesh will forever be imprinted on his mind. The thought that if it wasn't for Eri his Nerd wouldn't have regained control of his quirk terrifies him. But none of that, not the feeling of uselessness, not the sound of a bullet hitting flesh, not the fact his nerd could have lost quirk, comes close to the fear, terror, and panic that flooded him with Nighteye's foretelling.

"At the very least he's not coming after you, for now, he's headed above ground, in pursuit of Izuku and Eri that's when…"

"He kills Izuku"

Katsuki lets the tears fall, relief filling him with every tear that escapes him. Images pass in front of his vision. When he blasted his way to the surface, he saw a sight that was equal parts terrifying as it was awe-inspiring. Terrifying because he knows the nerd's capabilities like he knows his own, and he knows the amount of power Izuku was releasing was enough to rip apart his body. However, he noticed the little girl on Izuku's back and noticed the damage that should have happened; didn't. The sound of crumbling buildings pulled his attention away from his Nerd's fight. His sensitive hearing picking up the muffled, panicked sounds of people in help. It only takes a second to move to the first building and start evacuating, knowing his nerd won't be able to fight with all his focus if he is tuned into the civilian's distress signals. Izuku must have sensed Katsuki near the wrecked buildings saving the civilians inside because his nerd didn't break focus, in fact, it was the opposite. Izuku poured everything he had to keep Overhaul away from the damaged buildings long enough for Katsuki to rescue those trapped inside. When Katsuki finished rescuing the civilians, he was just in time to see Izuku's final blow to Overhaul, sending the man crashing into the already destroyed buildings, minimizing the damage to the rest of the area.

He was blasting himself to reach Izuku when an ear-splitting shriek of pain rips through his Nerd. He pauses trying to figure out what is causing Izuku so much pain. His studious gaze falls on the little girl, she is clearly in distress. Shifting from the corner of his eyes draws Katsuki's attention away from the girl and his soulmate. He is moving before his brain registers the attack to his nerd, only for Izuku to lash out with a devastating blow, only to continue screaming after that. The child is also screaming in agony and panic that she has to stop, "Izuku is going to die." Katsuki realizes the girl's quirk and Izuku's screaming is connected, but he feels useless he doesn't know how to stop her. He doesn't know how to calm her; he is completely out of his element here. He resorts to begging, pleading, threatening his nerd to "Don't fucking dare!" But luckily Aizawa appeared and Katsuki guesses he erased both of their quirks.

But Izuku might have stopped screaming in pain, but Katsuki's hold on the other teen is tight enough so feel the slight shivers of the Nerd's body as the last of the pain leaves him. And like every time Izuku is injured, Katsuki has to make sure, needs to feel the nerds heartbeat. So he shakily reaches his hand to Izuku's neck, puts his fingers over the Nerd's pulse. His eyes fill with tears, he stubbornly holds them back, because he knows if he breaks now, he won't stop breaking. And after an agonizing second or two, he feels it…

'Thump'

Strong.

'Thump'

Resilient.

"Thump"

Alive.

Hope blooms with every additional heartbeat he feels, relief replacing the panic, and terror. So he curls tighter around the Nerd and the little girl Izuku risked his life for. Because it is Katsuki's responsibility to protect the Nerd when Izuku can't protect himself. It only takes a couple of moments for Izuku's eyes to flutter and flash a brilliant smile at Katsuki. Then as Izuku feels the rest of their pack relief fills him, until he starts to panic for Nighteye.

Katsuki wants to stop Izuku, but he knows it will be a losing battle. The entire reason they are on this mission in the first place was that Izuku was worried about Nighteye. Katsuki has no hope of convincing Izuku to stay with him while Nighteye is being looked at by the medics. But he tries, he tries because he's still worried, still scared that he is going to lose Izuku. But he studies the nerd, he has no injuries, he looks the same as he did before the spar with Kakashi. He's confused, he doesn't comprehend what happened. But Izuku cups his cheek, so tenderly, so softly, and with eyes filled with love he acknowledges Katsuki's worry, promises that he is fine. And that is enough to loosen his hold and follow the nerd to the Medics.

The nerd spends hours healing Nighteye, sweating pouring down his face, breath labored, but his eyes are still focused, still determined to save his packmate. Katsuki thinks the only reason why Izuku is capable of healing so precisely is that he needed precision to heal Itachi. As worried as Katsuki is about Izuku, he can't deny the feeling of pride and relief knowing Nighteye has a chance to survive thanks to Izuku. It's not surprising that Izuku refuses to go to the hospital without checking on everyone first, Katsuki doesn't even stop him. Instead, he offers to watch over Nighteye and Eri. He sits and waits only for a few moments until Izuku comes back and reports that everyone is accounted for, and they will live.

The trip to the hospital was a blur, he can't get "Izuku is going to die" out of his head. Playing on repeat and filling his mind with terrifying images of what if. "Izuku is going to die," except he's not, Izuku is safe, tails wrapped around him in comfort and reassurance. After Izuku's explanation, everything turned out okay in the end, the nerd still has Fuji and OFA, he is not about to die, he has no serious injuries. His Nerd is just tired, exhausted. So Katsuki tells him to push over because this is something he doesn't feel useless in. His Nerd's exhaustion is something he can fix. The added benefit of hearing Izuku's heartbeat, and the small content sigh that leaves him upon hearing it drifts him into a comfortable sleep.

So now the panic is gone, the terror has left him, and as he breaks and releases the last of his fears into Izuku strong chest relief fills him. He doesn't need to be strong right now because everyone is out of danger and only the Nerd is witnessing his tears. He squeezes his arms around Izuku and lets his sobs out. Izuku is the only person in the world Katsuki feels comfortable being this weak around. With everyone else, he can mask the tears and lash out with anger.

Izuku runs his fingers over Katsuki's soul mark, encouraging him to unleash his feelings. He hums patiently until Katsuki's cries settle, and he sniffles. Izuku whispers softly, "is Kacchan feeling better?"

Katsuki shakes his head, "no I feel weak."

Izuku coos, "crying is not a sign of weakness, Kacchan." Izuku shifts until he can see Katsuki's face, he raises his hand and gently wipes his tears away, "Kacchan is the strongest person I know."

Katsuki wants to argue but Izuku stops him with a simple kiss. As he pulls away, he whispers against Katsuki's lips, "A strong person is the one who can shed his tear for a moment, then gets up and fights again. People cry, not because they are weak. It's because they have been too strong for too long. Kacchan cries because sometimes there are no words to express what Kacchan is feeling. Sometimes, being strong means not holding back the tears but letting them fall." Izuku looks at Katsuki seriously, green eyes determined, "I will never think Kacchan is weak. I will always think Kacchan is strong, especially when Kacchan cries when overwhelmed with relief."

Katsuki blushes and turns his head away, "fucking embarrassing Nerd!" There is fake rage in his voice, but Izuku can see the smile trying to pull at the corners of his mouth.

Izuku cheers, "Kacchan's back!"

Katsuki's blush intensifies, "Shut up, Nerd!"

Izuku giggles in the face of his normal explosive, easy to tease and rile up soulmate. Katsuki peaks an eye at him feeling accomplished that Izuku is giggling again. Izuku's giggles subside, and his eye turns serious for a moment, "I'm glad Nighteye's prediction was wrong, and I am sorry I made you worry."

"'T's ok, Nerd." Katsuki huffs. "After hearing your explanation and witnessing the fight myself, I realized you took the only option that would bring you back home to me. And as much as I wanted to be mad at you for scaring me, I couldn't find a hole in your plan that I would have done differently." Katsuki flushes, "I panicked because Nighteye has never been wrong before, and when you were screaming at the end of the fight, I didn't know what was going on and I didn't know how to help. I felt useless, pathetic, and weak. I started spiraling and that lead me to old thoughts that I was worthless, and I didn't deserve you. And I panicked further because you might be able to move on if anything happened to me. But I need you, you're my Nerd."

Izuku glares, "Kacchan, I need you too. I wouldn't be able to move on if anything happened to you. I almost leveled everything in a 10-mile radius because Kacchan died in my dream. You are not worthless, useless, pathetic, or weak." Izuku glares harder at Katsuki, "and if I hear anyone calling my Kacchan any of that I will smash them to the fucking moon. Kacchan is strong, protective, my image of victory, and the only person in the world I will ever love." He smirks dangerously at Katsuki, "I don't appreciate anyone talking down about my Kacchan, not even Kacchan has that right."

Katsuki gulps, "I'm sorry, Nerd."

Izuku smiles blindingly, "I forgive Kacchan. I have no problems reminding Kacchan, that Kacchan is the best. If I have to kick your ass to prove it… well, I can do that too." He finishes with a feral smirk.

"I'll hold you to it, Nerd." Katsuki flashes Izuku a matching feral smirk, "but I'm not gonna make it easy for you."

"Of course not, Kacchan. I won't accept anything less than Kacchan's best." Izuku smiles.

Katsuki nods and smiles a small grateful smile. Before any more conversation can take place both the teens' ears perk up. Izuku flares his Haki notifying the person on the other side of the door that they can enter.

Aizawa opens the door quietly, there is a tired, solemn air around him. He looks over the occupants of the room, he is relieved to see Nighteye is breathing on his own. To Aizawa, Nighteye is a mentor just as much as Shanks is. Aizawa was in a dark place when Nighteye extended a helping hand. After the death of his friend and partner, he almost gave up being a hero. He wanted to be a bounty hunter, basically only fighting criminals. But Nighteye reached out to him, offered him a chance to get even stronger, he wouldn't need to rely on his quirk to protect the people he cared about. He connected with Shanks, soaked up all the training he could get.

His eyes fall on his problem child next; he remembers meeting the kid after a spar gone wrong. He was proving to the new graduates that they don't stand a chance out in the real world, that overconfidence, and arrogance will get them killed. He was going to leave Might Tower, go out on his own as an underground hero, but something in the child that healed his wounds, made him pause. He felt like Shanks if a bit wilder, and uncontrolled. But Aizawa could tell the kid would be powerful, and well if Aizawa couldn't change the arrogant minds of the newly graduated heroes, then it fell to him to protect and nurture the youngest heroic minds. At first, he didn't want to get close to the kid, he didn't want the kid to be like him, jaded, untrusting, outcasted, and alone. He watched as the child scampered off for training with Shanks, and that was surprising the seven-year-old kid has been training with Shanks longer than Aizawa was at the time. So he planned to watch from the shadows, give advice when needed, Protect this bright child from the darkness of the hero world.

He watched as the kid met up with his friends, his energy frantic and restless as he realized they were missing someone. So Izuku and a taller raven ran off somewhere, leaving a smaller raven behind with orders to "Let Shanks know something bad happened to Kacchan." Instead of following the two children, Aizawa stayed behind, waiting in the shadows to watch the kid that stayed behind. It was only a few moments before Shanks arrived, but the little raven was jittery and on edge. Aizawa witnessed the protective fatherly aura around his teacher flare as the raven told him Izuku's message. Aizawa figured it was his time to make himself known and stepped out of the shadows, staring down his mentor in defiance. Daring Shanks to bar him from helping, Shanks must have seen something in Aizawa because the older man nodded and tilted his head in a way that said come on.

So he followed Shanks, into an urban area. The pressure around the man was almost suffocating in his fury. Just on the edges of Aizawa's mind, there was something uncontrolled, panicked, scared. Shanks picked up the pace, features hardened in stone, and ran into a house not bothering to knock or announce his presence. Without stopping to look around, Shanks barreled up the stairs like a madman, radiating fury, protectiveness, and a threat of death for anyone who hurt the children. And upon arriving to the scene, Aizawa stands there shocked. The room was destroyed, blood on the floor coming from what Aizawa can just barely tell is a small child under a grieving wolf. The green flames that radiate off the wolf, remind him of the little kid that healed him earlier that day. So his mind makes the connection that the wolf is Izuku.

He's snapped out of his observations, by the overwhelming power Shanks bares down on the room. A demand to tell the older man how he knows Izuku. So he told Shanks about the spar and how the kid came to him and offered to heal him. With the older man placated, Aizawa realizes that was the uncontrolled, panicked, scared power he felt on the edges of his mind. So these kids know Haki, which is surprising, but Aizawa pushes the need to know why four children would need to be taught Haki at the age of seven to the back of his mind to be analyzed later. Shanks told him about Conqueror's Haki before, Aizawa was practicing Erasing quirks and when he questioned why he couldn't erase Shanks' red lightning he was told it wasn't a quirk; it was Haki. But for a child to unlock the same ability, albeit uncontrolled and wild, is shocking and almost worrisome. Aizawa also knows that this type of Haki can not be taught, it's something you either have or don't. All you can do is train to control it if and when you awaken it.

Aizawa knew the boys were close, based on the reactions that one of them might have been in trouble, but to hear that there is a confirmed match between the two of them is unheard of. Aizawa knows how important soul bonds are, he knows people will fall to madness if the other is hurt. He can't help but worry for the children if the kid doesn't make it out of this. So he does the only rational thing he can do, he calls Nighteye, telling him to bring All Might and the Detective. He hangs up and drops his location. Then he calls recovery girl because he doesn't know the extent of Izuku's healing prowess. He stops the woman before she can berate or accuse the wolf of hurting the child when he flares his flames around the boy. He believes there must be a reason Recovery Girl didn't know about the healing flames so he fibs that the boy can only heal in wolf form.

Shanks glares at Recovery Girl, the fatherly protective edge returning to suffocate those in the room, even All Might and Nighteye glare at the woman before she could predictably force the wolf to be her apprentice. Shanks warned her what the consequences would be if he goes ignored. Izuku isn't a healer, no he is a fighter that can heal. Izuku would never forgive himself if he stayed behind while his soulmate fought and died. Aizawa understands, but he also thinks it can't hurt for the boy to have some medical training. Aizawa offers himself, allowing Izuku to practice his healing on him after missions.

He smiles unconsciously, for once he is glad Nighteye's predictions were wrong. When he heard from Ace that Nighteye said Izuku was going to die, he righteously panicked, scrambling to get to the surface to save his problem child. But he was still slowed down from Chrono's quirk, every limb felt heavy, every step felt like hours. He wouldn't make it in time on his own, but for some reason Kakashi was by his side helping him get to the surface, just to hear Izuku's heart-wrenching screams and the screams of a girl whose quirk was out of control. But he made it in time to help, and relief flooded through him when Izuku woke up in under a minute begging to heal Nighteye.

His eyes fall on the blond, eyes open and vulnerable. Aizawa knows what to look for when it comes to figuring out the spitfire. He knows the difference between genuine emotions of anger and rage and the mask of anger and rage that hides panic, terror, and vulnerability. But right now as he studies the two sharing a bed, he is allowed to see the unfiltered relief on the blond's face that Nighteye was wrong. Izuku is alive, safe, and cuddling into Katsuki like his life depends on it.

Aizawa sighs, he came in here for a reason even though he knows he should wait. But Aizawa knows Izuku, the problem child will stop a nothing to save everyone he can even criminals. So Aizawa needs to tell Izuku about what happened before he can hear it on the news and freaks out and do something stupid. So he turns on the T.V. the news is playing reports of after the incident.

"This attack on the criminal transport convoy represents an unprecedented failure. With confirmation that key pieces of evidence were lost, criticism of the police is only ramping up." The new cuts to images of The League attacking the convoy, stealing the drugs, and Shigaraki using his decay on Overhaul to remove the man's arms.

Izuku glares at the T.V. "So Chisaki was…? By Tomura?"

Aizawa's quirk flares for a moment, "you have no business feeling responsible. Don't let it get to you."

Izuku looks down, considering, weighing his options of what he can do. He nods and slumps into Katsuki's stiff arms and releases a relieved breath, "for once I'm going to be selfish. I'm gonna leave this to the other heroes, I'm exhausted. And sometimes I need to remember I'm still a student, and I can't save everyone. Chisaki brought this on himself for creating the drug and starting a confrontation with the League."

Katsuki loses the tension in his frame, hearing Izuku chose himself over saving the world.

Aizawa sighs again relieved, "Anyhow, you'll be going back to school tomorrow. They'll need to monitor Nighteye's condition for a bit longer, but… the others have received treatment and should be fully recovered soon enough."

Izuku perks up, "Can't we stay until Eri wakes up?"

Aizawa glares softly at Izuku, "you being here wouldn't change anything. Recovery Girl is coming today to watch her, I am staying here in case her quirk goes off. You just have to trust us."

Izuku looks down with a pout, "yea ok. I can't help her right now because there is nothing my flames can heal." He looks up at Aizawa his filled hope and unyielding trust, "but you will stay with her, you'll protect her?"

Aizawa's face softens, and he approaches the bed to kneel on the side of Izuku, he reaches out his hand to ruffle Izuku's hair, "of course. Don't forget your mom will be here too." Izuku smiles at his teacher, relieved. "Also, once she is deemed fit enough for transport, the rest of her recovery will be dealt with at U.A."

Izuku nods and slumps over relieved, all the fight draining out of him. "Ok, Shota. I trust you."

Aizawa shoves his face into his scarf, "good." He clears his throat, "Now get some sleep. I'll wake you both up when your discharge papers are finished."

After sleeping for a few hours, Aizawa wakes them up with their discharge papers. The debriefing and paperwork continued even after getting back to the school. First, they had to report to Nezu, luckily the principal kept the questions brief. He dismissed them after mandating that those involved need to get cleared with the school's therapist. Without arguing the students accepted the orders and informed Nezu they would all make appointments this week. Then Izuku leads them to the ninja's building to check up on Neji and Kakashi. Gai met them in front of the building, Shikamaru flanking Gai's side. Gai informed the group that Kakashi and Neji are still resting but they didn't look injured. Izuku slumps relieved apologies firing on all cylinders about putting two ninjas in a potentially dangerous situation without giving them time to adjust to their new surroundings. Gai cuts him off, a big hand firmly planted on his shoulder, reassurances that no harm was done, and from what Gai was told, it was nothing they wouldn't have done in their world.

It was night by the time they made it to the dorms, dragging their feet. They were bombarded by the rest of their classmates.

"They're back!" is screamed by Kaminari, "everyone, they're back!"

Izuku starts to worry feeling Denki's panic radiating off him. "Is everyone ok!?"

"We saw everything on the news!" Mina yells. "That looked like some nasty business."

"We were super worried." Asui croaks.

"Have some G ateau au chocolate!" Sato shoves a newly made cake at the arrivals.

Kaminari is scared for his friends, he's angry they left him behind even if he does understand why. But why must the group try and carry the world on their shoulders, why? "You punks are always coming home after getting caught up in serious stuff!" There is a shake in Kaminari's voice as he begs, "Stop it! You're scaring me!"

Izuku feels bad, he was only trying to protect the others of his pack. He didn't want them to lose their lives, or quirks and with the unknown factors, Izuku decided it was best to leave them behind. But they saw everything on the news, well everything that happened on the surface as the news crews made their way out to the scene.

Kirishima makes himself known, "They know we are worried about them! But calm down!" he grabs the attention of the other classmates, "We all saw the broadcast and the extent of what happened. As their classmates and friends, we need to let them rest… Because it isn't just their bodies – their hearts have also been worn down by what happened."

"Hey Eijiro?" Izuku calls.

The redhead turns around, "Hm?"

"Thanks. But…" Izuku smiles warmly at the other teen, "it could have been worse, but I promise we are fine."

Kirishima pauses, studies Izuku, lets his eye travel along each of his friends cataloging injuries and exhaustion. He concedes, "if, you're sure." All Kirishima needed, was Izuku's confident nod, before he is tackling the group to the ground in a hug clutching onto the others and sobbing, "I was soooo worried about you guys, I swear!"

Sero tries to pull the sobbing red-head off the others, "you're worse than any of us."

The laughter of the group and the hysterical tears coming from Kirishima and somehow Kaminari is roped into the pile of teens on the floor get the rest of the class moving. Momo runs to the kitchen, "I'll brew some lavender herbal tea! It's just the thing to help you relax!" Sato is trying to cram his cake into the exhausted teens as they try to scramble off the floor. After a while, the excitement fades as people start to leave the common room now that the drama is over, and their classmates made it back. Kaminari throws his arm over Luffy's shoulder, "why didn't you guys say anything?" his lightning sparking off him in waves, "it was such a big shock to us!"

"Izuku…" said boy turns to the sound of his name being called. Mina looks concerned, panic in her eyes, "you good?"

Izuku smiles softly a tail reaching out for her, "we will be, thank Mina."

She lightly pets the tail curling around her wrist, "right then."

Katsuki starts to get irritated, he knows their packmates are worried, but all he wants to do is barricade in their suite, watch a movie, and cuddle with his nerd. He understands the pack members that weren't involved in this mission are worried for them. Tokoyami and Asui fret around the edges of the group clearly not convinced everyone is ok. While the others were only slightly concerned about them. Katsuki can feel the insincerity in the majority of the people gathered. Similar to the feeling when you feel bad about something on the news, but don't really care beyond 'damn that sucks for that person' or 'I'm glad that wasn't anywhere near me.' So Katsuki is getting frustrated with the other classmates trying to make themselves feel better by acting sincerely that everyone is back and relatively unharmed. He can't help but wonder what if something bad happened to them, would they have visited them in the hospital? What if the Nerd really lost his quirk? Would they even care? He knows that pack would care, maybe Tokoyami and Asui because they have genuine relief on their faces as they hover close. But the rest of the class, he doesn't think they would bother.

So Katsuki lightly tugs on Izuku's hand just shy of throwing him over the shoulder and caveman carrying him to their suite. Hey, he needs cuddles, and the nerd is taking too long trying to prove to extras that he is ok. Damn nerd can't tell anyone to fuck off, well Katsuki doesn't give a shit about the extras, so he has no problems glaring at a couple of people who start to whisper and linger around them. "Let's go, Nerd!" Katsuki growls impatiently.

Izuku flashes him a knowing smile, and addressing the straggling classmates, "thanks for your concerns, but we're exhausted."

The other classmates grumble their displeasure, but they don't try to stop them from retreating. Tokoyami and Asui look distressed, Izuku whimpers low in his throat. Katsuki hears the plea, he understands Izuku is a people person. And Tokoyami and Asui have been friendly non-pack members similar to Mina before these missions. They have stepped in and defended Izuku at that time in the cafeteria when Izuku was introducing Sabo to the class. So Katsuki catches Tokoyami's eye and tilts his head in a follow us motion. The bird-faced teen looks shocked, but he listens and joins the group at the elevators.

"it's been an emotional day for us, and we are a bit overwhelmed." Izuku offers an explanation. He smiles softly, "We are gonna go to our suite and watch a movie. You and Asui are welcome to join us. If you want."

Tokoyami nods, simply turning around and calling over his shoulder, "thank you for the offer, I'll grab Asui and be up in a moment."

Izuku smiles warmly at the retreating teen and pulls the group to the elevator. They enter their suite and immediately went to change into something comfortable. It doesn't take long for the boys to pick out a movie and get settled into a small cuddle pile. Izuku fidgets slightly, Fuji wants to come out and cuddle. Izuku promises he will let him out tomorrow for cuddles, which seem to placate the giant puppy. There is a knock on the door and Mina moves to open it, welcoming Tokoyami and Asui into the room. Izuku and Katsuki are on the verge of sleeping as the movie plays out.

Asui pokes Mina trying to get her attention without disturbing the others. Mina turns to the girl and hums. Asui points to the pile of teens curled up on the floor. Mina looks at the group with a small, fond smile on her face. "The mission must have been more taxing than we know from the news. Aizawa mentioned it before, but they adopt the puppy pile to feel safe and comfort each other. Usually, Izuku brings his wolf out for the cuddle piles, but because he doesn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable, he didn't this time."

"That is why they have a bigger room?" Tokoyami asks curiously.

"It may be bigger, but they all have to share this space, imagine sharing your suite with three other people. The only reason why this works for them is because of the pack mentality they have." Mina points out, slightly defensive.

"I understand, it would be stressful not to have somewhere I can be alone." Tokoyami agrees.

"They must have known each other before U.A. to build such long-lasting bonds." Asui hums.

"From what I gathered; they grew up together. Izuku and Katsuki went to preschool together and became fast friends. Ace and Luffy are brothers." Mina explains vaguely, "at least those four are used to sharing their space."

Asui puts her finger to her chin trying to piece together a puzzle in her head. But she is confused she can't see how just knowing each other since they were kids would have led to them being comfortable enough to let their guards down enough to share their living area comfortably. Even Sabo seems comfortable around the group, which doesn't make sense considering they should have only met a week ago. Even Todoroki, Kirishima, and Kaminari seem more at ease than Asui would have thought they would be. She remembers the room list from before she knows Izuku and Katsuki share a room, that much makes sense to her. And if she remembers correctly Ace and Todoroki share a room, and Luffy and Kirishima share a room. Even if they all fit together as a pack, she would have thought Ace and Luffy would share a room considering they are brothers.

Then she thinks about the fact the Bakugo has seemingly developed wolf features overnight. Then suddenly the puzzle makes sense, she was there at U.S.J. right in the thick of everything. She felt the power first hand, there was something underneath the wolf, something ancient that hummed and cracked the air around her when Izuku saved her from Shigaraki's hands. Then she felt the same power, refined, honed, and focused during the special moves lesson. She only knows of one way people can share abilities, but it seemed so outrageous that there would be a soulmate bond that powerful, while they were so young. So she discarded the thought. But now she sees it, with all the evidence she has, it seems so obvious.

She was also there when Ace protected her and Todoroki when they were retreating with their injured teacher. The flame wall and the burnt shirt, seeing the teens mark for only a few moments. While not knowing Todoroki well at the time, he seemed wary, watching Ace intently after that. She put Ace's mark in the back of her mind because the entire U.S.J. incident was traumatic, and she didn't want to think about it. But now it makes sense that Ace and Shoto would share a room because they are a confirmed match. She doesn't know if Luffy and Kirishima are matched, but it seems likely that they are. They seemed to instantly connect with each other since All Might's battle training. She has seen Kirishima's mark because he doesn't really hide it when wearing his hero costume. The mark represents a red mountain range, it's easy to see how the mark represents Kirishima. But Asui can only make assumptions on how the mark represents Luffy.

Asui feels the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, breaking her out of her thoughts. She feels like a bug under observation. She looks over at the boys cuddled on the floor and notices bright almost glowing green eyes intently studying her. It's not the eyes of a predator she is looking at, more like a fiercely protective gaze. She smiles disarmingly and tilts her head curiously to the side. Izuku studies her for a few moments and then his eyes soften, losing the frantic protective edge. He smiles at her knowingly, gets comfortable cuddling Katsuki.

Mina gasps as she watches the interaction, "he trusts you."

"How do you know?" Asui asks.

"Look at him, I have seen him put up his guard while half-dead in exhaustion. No matter how exhausted he is, he won't fully put his guard down around people he doesn't trust." Mina's eyes are soft as she watches Izuku snuggle into Katsuki's chest rumbling softly. "If you want to keep his trust and the trust of the others, you can not tell anyone you know."

Asui puts her finger back to her chin and tilts her head in confusion, "know what?"

Mina looks at her with a meaningful, knowing look, "you figured it out. You have this look in your eye that screams everything that makes sense now. All their small inconsistencies that you didn't notice before because they were so small in comparison to everything else. The fact that while Izuku, Katsuki, Ace, and Luffy may be comfortable together and they are used to sharing their space. Kirishima and Shoto wouldn't be as comfortable. I had the same look when I figured it out, everything finally clicked together."

Asui nods, "it's really none of my business. If they don't want people to know it is not my business to tell anyone."

Izuku opens his eyes again and studies Asui, "Thank you, Tsuyu" he whispers softly.

The credits of the movie play, Asui did not pay attention to the movie at all. She looks over at Tokoyami, the other teen is curled at the edges of the pile of teens on the floor. She can tell the other teen is tired, nodding his head trying to keep from falling asleep. She taps him on the shoulder and helps him up, supporting the teen, Mina comes up to the other side of Tokoyami and swings the other arm over her shoulders. She helps lug Tokoyami to his suite, she knocks on the door, Shoji answers surprised to see his suitemate draped over two of his classmates. Ashido smiles at the six-armed male, "we were watching a movie in Izuku's suite, he fell asleep. Can you help him get to his room?"

Shoji nods and takes his suitemate's weight off the girls' shoulders. "Thank you."

"Have a goodnight, Shoji," Ashido calls as the teen closes the door. She walks back to the elevator with Asui. "Tsuyu?"

Asui pauses in front of the elevator, "What is it, Mina?"

"I just wanted to say thank you." Ashido bows.

Asui croaks confused, "why?"

Ashido smiles, "I didn't say it before, but you stood up for Izuku when Iida accused him of corrupting Kirishima and Shoto. Iida has never taken the time to really get to know Izuku and the others, he is so caught up in appearances and thinking the worst of the boys. Just because Izuku and Katsuki don't match Iida's view of what a hero looks like, he demeans them, calls them villains. Every time Izuku has reached out to someone in the class Iida assumes they are corrupting them. I try to be someone that stands up to others, you know protect them in a place they should feel safe. I try to be someone they can lean on. They do so much for everyone, they went on a mission that could have cost them not only their lives, but they could have lost their quirks, all for a child who needed a hero. Izuku is the most heroic person I know and hearing the hurtful things people say about someone so sweet, breaks my heart. I know Katsuki acts and talks vulgarly, with the air that he doesn't give a damn about anyone, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Katsuki is only that way as a front, he genuinely cares about people, cooks us food just to say thank you. He may not be good with his words, but his actions are loud enough to speak for him."

Asui pulls Ashido into a hug because clearly, the girl is hurting, she rubs the girl's back gently, trying to soothe her. "I only stood up for Izuku because it was the truth. Izuku saved my life twice during the USJ incident. I never thanked him for it, but I'll never forget the look in his eyes when he launched himself in front of Shigaraki to protect me from being decayed. When the Nomu attacked I was there, I watched All Might pull Katsuki out of the way. I watched as the Nomu didn't even stop as he charged right for us. Izuku used his tails to push us out of the way when he could have run. But again he protected us and Aizawa sensei. I heard Izuku's chest cave in from the punch of that Nomu, I watched as he was launched across the plaza bleeding and broken. I can't get the sounds of Bakugo's scream out of my head as he broke down. If Izuku is not a hero, I don't want to know what is. I heard how he saved Tokoyami from being kidnapped, while his body was broken and bleeding. Tokoyami told me, Izuku didn't stop, not until he did everything he could. So no Mina, I don't deserve your thanks, if anything I owe them my life. If the only way I can show my gratitude is by defending them when no one else does; then that is exactly how I am going to do it."

Ashido clutches onto Asui, "how about we protect them together. I know they are physically strong, but they shouldn't have to defend themselves in a place they should be able to call home."

Asui nods, "okay."

Ashido smiles, "you should hang out with us sometime. Izuku trusts you enough to let his guard down to cuddle with Katsuki. He won't mind if you come to hang out and watch movies with us. It will be nice to have another girl in the group."

Asui smiles, "Yea, I'd like that." They reach her door, she turns to Ashido, "I have an extra bed if you don't want to be alone right now." She offers.

Ashido shakes her head, "I'm good, Tsuyu. I just needed to get some things off my chest. I didn't want the boys to feel bad or worry about me. They have enough on their plates. But maybe this weekend we can have a sleepover or something. Just the two of us."

Asui nods and bids the other girl good night. She walks into her suite and gets ready for bed. She makes sure all her homework is done for the next day, and finally crawls into bed. She can't lie she has been stressing out lately. Something is unsettling her inner frog, she can tell Tokoyami feels it to. Something inside her tells her Izuku in the others will be in the middle of it. She doesn't think anyone else will feel it, not if they don't have an animalistic quirk. But somehow even the non-animals of Izuku's pack have the same look in their eyes. They are preparing for something, something world-changing. Something they can't afford to not be prepared for, she can feel it in the way they are even more fierce in their training, taking extra classes with Shanks and All Might.

She can't blame them for not reaching out to the rest of the classmates, they are on a completely different level than the rest of them are. Not to mention the lack of trust, she can see why Izuku doesn't trust the majority of the class. Even if Izuku told them what was going on, she doesn't think the class would believe them. She can tell Izuku is trying to bridge the gap between them, extending olive branches to Iida, even though the speed hero has done nothing but berate them. Whatever is happening is bad enough that even Izuku said this isn't a fight we can win on our own. And Whatever this threat is, is enough to battle harden the looks on Izuku's and Katsuki's faces.

She has no doubt the teachers are involved in whatever is going on, not all of them. Asui is intelligent and observant enough to know there are only a few people Izuku trusts, as far as the teachers go. Aizawa, Shanks, and All Might, she has also seen the boys talking with Hawks, Nighteye, and Nezu who wouldn't normally talk to teenagers like they are on the same level. She feels like the only reason Izuku, Katsuki, Ace, and Luffy are even in school is because of their ages. They have proven time and time again that they are unstoppable in the face of most threats. They are more rounded, with a higher chance of survival than most pros out there today. They flow together like a well-oiled machine.

The increased security is another factor, first came the adults flown in from around the world to increase security around the school. Then came the rumor that U.A. has purchased several Islands around Japan to move the school too. And now she has seen several uniformed people occupying the building behind the school. She doesn't know who they are, but they look like a militia, but there is also kids in the same uniforms, no older than she is. Her inner frog senses something around these new people, not bad, evil, or villainous; but different, trained, powerful, like moving shadows. She wonders what is happening, and if possible, she wants to help. She knows she is not as strong as others in the class but, she can help.

Maybe she can pull Izuku and Katsuki aside and ask them. Surely, they would know, their wolf instincts are on a completely different level than her Frog instincts are. But if even she is feeling unsettled, then Fuji at least must be on edge. She falls to sleep with plans of how she is going to approach the boys with her concerns filling her mind.

*** Next day ***

The pack enters the classroom, finding Asui looking worn out and in deep thought. Izuku tilts his head concerned. He meanders off to her desk, "Hey Tsuyu?"

"Mido-Chan?" Asui croaks.

"Is something bothering you?" Izuku cuts straight to the point.

Asui releases a small unconscious smile at the boy, "I'm ok Mido-Chan. I am just feeling a bit unsettled, not too sure why though." She places her finger on her chin, gaining a thoughtful expression.

Izuku nods, "if there is anything I can help you with, just let me know. I'll try my best."

"Actually…" Asui begins.

"What is it Tsuyu?" Izuku pushes.

Asui blushes a bit, "is there a chance I can talk with you and Bakugo later? I don't really know what is bothering me, and I don't want my concerns to distract the class."

Izuku hums, "yea, no problem. I'll let the others know. After dinner work?"

Asui smiles, relieved, "Thank you Mido-Chan."

Izuku nods and heads to his desk, sitting next to Katsuki. Katsuki raises an eyebrow in question. "What was that about nerd?"

Izuku hums deep in thought, "Asui wants to talk to us after diner today."

"All of us?" Ace interrupts.

"No, just me and Kacchan." Izuku corrects. "I think it has something to do with her frog."

"Makes sense that she would come to you two about it" Shoto states, "There is no one more connected with their instincts than you two."

Izuku nods as his ears perk up, Midnight is approaching the door. She enters the classroom, surprised to see students so early in their seats. She looks around and studies the students. Huddled in a corner are Aizawa's problem children, he fondly refers to the boys as. Sitting close is Asui, clearly deep in thought. She pulls out Aizawa's lesson plans for the day, he is staying at the hospital, in case his quirk is needed when the girl wakes up. She ignores the boys, continuing to prep for the day.

Fifteen minutes later, the rest of the students start to trickle in. Kaminari bounds over to the group of boys, radiating excitement.

"Hey, guys?" Kaminari cheers.

"What's up Denki?" Izuku greets with a smile on his face.

Kaminari's face splits in two, "Did you hear MT. Lady, Edgeshot, and Kamui Woods have teamed up?"

"Lot's of team-ups lately." Shoto considers.

Kaminari nods excitedly, "I already know Izuku, and Kats are gonna team up after high school. Luffy, Kirishima, you wanna be a trio with me?"

Katsuki scoffs, "Not a chance, Pikachu!"

Kaminari pouts, "I wasn't asking you; I know your teaming with Izuku. But I want to be in a team too."

Izuku chuckles, "That's not what Kacchan meant, Denki."

Kaminari looks at Izuku confused, "Huh? What do you mean?"

Izuku smirks, "We are making an agency when we graduate, so we will all be together. Ace, Luffy, Kacchan, and I decided that when we were 6."

Kaminari looks dejected for a second, "Oh right, that makes sense."

Katsuki smirks a little, Pikachu is such an Idiot sometimes. "We are naming it The Pack." Katsuki's smirk widens when Kaminari's face flits through various emotions as he starts to piece together what that means.

Kaminari smiles brightly as it clicks into place, "Oh! Really?"

Shoto looks considerate, "Making an agency right out of High School is going to be a lot of work. There are affiliates you will need to make a successful agency. If you don't have these people on your roster, then you need to hire out."

Izuku smirks at Shoto, "Don't worry about it too much Shoto. I've already got that covered. I've been filling out notebooks since I was six."

Shoto nods, "Of course you have Izuku."

Kaminari looks thoughtful, "So with your own agency… that means you would have your own support department, right?"

Katsuki smirks, "Of course, Pikachu. There is no one the Nerd trusts more to work on our equipment."

"Besides, he is the only one who can keep up with Izuku's ideas." Ace beams.

Kaminari's eyes brighten at the implications, that he would be able to continue working with Kato. For some reason, he didn't think it would be possible. He knew of course that at least Izuku and Kats were partnering, probably sign themselves to The Red Force. He figured they would sometimes work together with Ace and Luffy, but he didn't think they would all agree to make an agency. He could see why they would have come up with the idea recently, but they came up with it when they were 6. From the looks on the other boys' faces, he guesses there was more thought put into the idea, than the passing whims of a 6-year-old.

They put their conversation on hold as the rest of the classmates enter the classroom. Kaminari still deep in thought; if the pack is making an agency he needs to buckle down on his training. He can not continue to put his packmates at risk, and if Kato is joining as well then, he needs to be strong enough to protect him.

The morning classes drag on, Literature, Math, Hero Laws, and Culture. Izuku mutters through the lessons, taking notes and muttering to himself how he can make this information easier to remember for the others in the pack. Kaminari smiles at the almost silent yips coming from Izuku, clearly showing his excitement for something so minor as making study guides for the others. Kaminari chances a look at Katsuki, usually, he doesn't let Izuku mutter for too long, but as Kaminari watches he can see the small content smile on the explosive teen. Kaminari thinks it is a nice sight to see Izuku relaxed enough to mutter endlessly on how Hero Laws are interesting and how they affect society today. Compared to the ever-alert Izuku he has been around constantly for the last week or so this is a nice change.

Katsuki lets Izuku mutter softly next to him. This is a way for the Nerd to unwind and fill his thoughts with something other than the dark images of the future. So he lets Izuku mutter, drowning out in a sting of almost unending letter sounds as the Nerd's pencil scratches onto the paper. He only bops him on the head when the lesson is over, and it is time for lunch.

Lunch goes by without incident, filled with a calm air as Izuku shares his notes with the others so they can copy it. He answers questions when things go into too much detail for Luffy, Kirishima, or Denki to understand. Katsuki adds to the thoughts with his own unique brand of genius. Izuku smiles brightly at Katsuki, praising that his Kacchan is smart, and then goes off into another mutter fit about how Katsuki's point is valid. Izuku pulls out another notebook to scribble his thoughts on, he has a wildly excited look in his eye as he mutters about training, visiting the ninja, and seeing if he can spend some time with Gaara, and Naruto.

After lunch they head back into the class, Izuku looks brighter, calmer, as he waits for their Heroics teacher to arrive. Cementoss enters the classroom after everyone is settled. "Today's assignment… we are going to keep working on our special moves. The previous benchmark was to create two ultimate moves. Those who haven't done so will keep trying… while those who have will work on improving their existing ones."

The class cheers, others have eyes filled with determination. Izuku leads the pack out to Gamma gym, Shanks meets them outside the doors to the gym. "You will be working with me today" Shanks declares.

Cementoss studies Shanks, "They are supposed to be working on their special moves."

"And they will be, Midoriya, and Bakugo wants to work on controlling their transformations. We wouldn't want anyone in the class to feel uncomfortable in the presence of two transformed students. Kaminari wanted help infusing his lightning in a weapon, since I do the same thing, I offered to help. Asui as well wanted to learn about ocean rescue ops and sailing, I have invited Yasopp to help out with that. Ace and Shoto are working on their twin stars move, not recommended for indoors. According to the signup sheet, only a few have signed up for extra lessons. Since most of the people brought in from overseas are available right now, we should take advantage. That will leave you with fewer students to attend to."

"I see," Cementoss ponders, "Very well. We will split the class in half, anyone who has completed their special moves can either work on refining and improving them or take extra lessons to acquire new skills."

Shanks nods as Cementoss brings up the information to the rest of the class. A few other students approach Shanks. Ojiro approaches Shanks first, "Is Sanji available?"

"What do you want to work on?" Shanks inquires.

Ojiro rubs the back of his neck, "Well during the school assembly, Sanji mentioned he was teaching Kickboxing to anyone interested. I feel like I shouldn't pass this opportunity to learn new martial art up."

Shanks nods, "he should be available I will give him a call and let you know."

Ojiro bows, "Thank you, Shanks-Sensei."

The boy moves over to the side and lets the next person take his place, Ashido approaches next, "Izuku gave me an idea on how I can improve on my long-range attacks. I have the theory down, but I need help."

Shanks gets an excited gleam in his eye, "oh? What's this new idea?"

"Sniping with my Acid," Ashido informs. "I can summon acid from my fingers, I have even worked on expelling it with my hands in a jet. I have been working on trying to form smaller drops of Acid that I can shoot out from my fingertips. But I thought if I know more about guns and bullets it would help my training."

"I will let Yasopp know you're interested in Sniping then." Shanks smiles.

Shanks pulls his group away with the addition of Ojiro and Asui. He contacted Sanji about his possible new student. And he called Yasopp to inform him that Asui was interested in learning sailing and Ashido was interested in learning more about sniping. Izuku flutters around, unable to decide what he wants to work on. He is already good enough at controlling Fuji that Shanks used it as an excuse to get Katsuki and Izuku out of the classroom. He ultimately decides to follow Asui to Yasopp to learn how to sail.

Katsuki gets roped into following Izuku, sighing dramatically as the nerd mumbles how useful this skill will be to learn. And as he predicted and warned Yasopp about before, the Nerd is relentless in his questions and jotting down notes. But Katsuki can't help but smile at the child-like amazement that shines from Izuku's eyes at learning something new. Izuku is going to master sailing in no time, already proficient in tying knots and navigating. After about an hour, Yasopp concludes the lesson promising to get his hands on some common Riggs.

Katsuki observes the others, Luffy is stressing the limits of his Bounce man while using Kirishima's unbreakable form as a target. Ace is walking Shoto through the steps of his flame commandment. Katsuki notices something strange about Shoto's fire, it is behaving differently than it did during the sports festival. But Katsuki can't tell what it is exactly that is different about it. Izuku hums thoughtfully next to him.

"What is it, Nerd?"

"I think Shoto's fire is behaving more like Ace's fire. It's hard to tell, but it is not just surface-level fire. If you look close enough, he is almost slightly intangible." Izuku points out.

Now that Izuku has pointed it out, Katsuki can see now why it is behaving differently. He smirks, "it seems Icy-hot, and Matchstick's bond is close enough to start sharing abilities. I wonder what changed."

Izuku hums, "It seems almost similar to our situation. We were able to share OFA after we laid everything out. All Our insecurities, and fears. We finally understood each other. I think after everything that has happened between them, Ace's kidnapping, Ace's near-death; somehow they were able to move past that and become stronger."

Katsuki studies the two, "that makes sense. But that doesn't explain why Luffy and Kirishima haven't shown the signs yet."

Izuku puts his finger to his chest, "for us it took me getting my chest caved in and then our fight at the sports festival to be able to use OFA together. They probably connected in a way that allowed their bond to grow stronger after Ace's near death. I think the soulmate pair need to experience the fear of losing the other to be able to unlock the soulmate ability,"

"That makes sense." Katsuki agrees.

"There is not a lot of information on soulmate bonds. But I think if the mate survives, that experience alone is enough for the other to subconsciously tap into the bond to use the extra power to protect their mates. It makes sense because no one wants to feel that fear they are going to lose their most important person." Izuku theorizes.

"I see, so Luffy and Kirishima need to feel the fear of losing the other to unlock that part of the soul bond." Katsuki states, "That would also explain why sometimes a soulmate can use the soulmate ability in life or death situations."

"Exactly." Izuku smiles.

"It sucks that it can only be unlocked after feeling so much pain." Katsuki frowns, "I never want to see that lost expression on Luffy's or Shitty Hair's face."

"I know, imagine what Luffy would have looked like if Kirishima was the one that almost died during the War." Izuku shivers.

"I don't even want to think about it." Katsuki pouts. He can't get Luffy's anguished face out of his head when he realized Ace might die. He couldn't imagine the heart-shattering expression on Luffy's face if he thought he was going to lose Shitty Hair.

Izuku hums, "Since we already have our special moves, we should probably get the others started on Haki training. We also need to get the other holders comfortable with their partners."

Katsuki smiles gratefully at the change of subject, "yea, let's go tell Shanks."

Izuku nods and wraps his tails around Katsuki's wrist and drags him off to where Shanks is teaching Kaminari basic footwork for swordsmanship. Kaminari is surprisingly good at it, he is nimble and quick, but Izuku doesn't think a sword would be a good match for the Electric teen. He thinks Kaminari would benefit from a short staff. Maybe a shorter sword or a dagger would be good too. Shanks directs Kaminari to stop for a moment as he spots Izuku and Katsuki coming to them.

"What can I help you with?" Shanks smiles.

"Just came over here to let you know we were gonna start giving the interested people lessons in Haki," Izuku informs.

Shanks hums, "Who were you thinking of teaching?"

"Zoro, Sanji, and Law have at least been trained in the basics. The ninjas have expressed interest in learning it as well. Kakashi and I sparred before the raid. During the spar, Kakashi discovered his Chakra Control is shot here. We decided it's for the best that the ninja not use chakra until their control improves. Naruto is going to start getting restless if he is barred from training. So I thought we should start their Haki training." Izuku informs.

"Ok, I'll clear out a gym for you. You go ahead and gather those interested in teaching it, and the ones that are interested in learning. I'll distract the others." Shanks orders.

"If anyone asks, we went to get our costumes upgraded." Izuku smiles, "They don't know we go to see Kato."

Shanks nods and Izuku drags Katsuki off to grab everyone. They run into Sabo who they find working on shaping his sand. Creating animals, weapons, and even a copy of himself. He also has a lazy stream of Iron circling him. They wait for Sabo to acknowledge them before they approach. They ask him if he wants to help them train the Ninja in Haki. Sabo nods and pulls the sand back into himself.

Next, they find Kirishima and Luffy, they are both breathing heavily, sweating, and smiling wildly. Izuku smiles and asks if they are interested in Haki training. Luffy cheers his excitement to hang out with Naruto again and Kirishima smiles fondly, agreeing immediately.

Finally, they approach Shoto and Ace it doesn't take long to convince them to help with the training of the Ninja. They nod enthused and follow the other teens to the building the Ninja are in.

Kakashi sits outside reading his book, Izuku walks up to him and sits next to the man. "Hey Kakashi," Izuku greets.

Kakashi looks up, tired eye looking at the group of teens that interrupted his morning, "What can I do for you," he drawls.

Izuku smiles, "I figured some of your ninjas are getting restless. And I thought maybe you would be interested in Haki training."

Kakashi looks intrigued, snaps his book closed, and stands up. He motions the teens to follow them to the training room Cementoss made near the cafeteria. All the Ninja are sitting in the room stretching appearing to be in the middle of pre-workout stretches. The pack except Izuku and Katsuki join in, engaging the ninja in light conversation. Zoro is away from the group, lifting massive weights with his shirt off. Izuku catches his eye and waves him over. Zoro effortlessly returns the weights to where they were and stomps over to the two teens.

Izuku stands in front of the group stretching on the floor, "I wanted to introduce you all to Haki training."

Lee jets his hand into the air like an elementary student, once acknowledged he puts his hand down and excitedly asks his question, "What is Haki training?"

"Haki is the physical manifestation of your will, your fighting spirit. The act of not Doubting yourself is true power. There are three forms of Haki, Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki." Izuku pauses, and looks around his eyes determined fall on Lee, "Lee come up here for a moment."

Lee scrambles up to the front excitedly, "what do I need to do?"

"Nothing yet, Shoto come here for a moment." Izuku receives a nod and curious looks from the waiting Shinobi. "Typically I would have Kacchan demonstrate, but since he now has enhanced hearing, it would do more harm than good. Before I have Shoto demonstrate how observation Haki looks like, I need to explain it first. Observation Haki allows the wielder to predict, and counter moves before the opponent make them."

"How is observation Haki different from the Sharingan?" Sasuke asks.

"A couple of reasons, observation Haki allows the user to also sense where their hidden enemy is. And the masters can even feel their opponent's emotions and see into the future slightly." Izuku smirks at the awed look he receives from the Ninja, "Shoto I'm going to blindfold you." Shoto nods and lets himself be blindfolded. Murmurs of disbelief rippled through the group, Izuku smiles, "A major reason why Observation Haki is different from the Sharingan, or Byakugan, is because you don't need to be able to see to use it."

Confusion follows, Izuku ignores them knowing the demonstration will answer their questions, he turns to Lee. "Ok Lee, I want you to attack Shoto with anything you got, weapons, Tai-Jutsu, the inner gates, whatever you normally fight with I want you to hit him with it."

Lee looks worried, "Are you sure?"

"Positive," Izuku smiles. "Even if you manage to get a hit on him, I'll heal him when it's over."

Lee remembers Izuku's healing capabilities from watching the teen heal Itachi, he nods and hardens his face in determination. He moves into his Strong Fist fighting stance. He studies his opponent, Shoto is standing there not moving, not changing his stance to anything remotely defensive. Lee shrugs, Izuku wouldn't have Lee attack his packmate for no reason. So he goes on the offensive, he starts with a few testing strikes. Some high roundhouse kicks, simple jabs, slowly increasing the intensity of his moves. To everyone not trained in Observation Haki, it appears that Lee's attacks are slightly missing their target. Gai is confused, even if Lee was training, he would never pull his punches. Lee is not the type of person that would underestimate his opponent like that.

Kakashi, Itachi, and Sasuke have their Sharingan activated. They study Lee first noticing that he is indeed not pulling back his punches. No every punch and kick Lee throws hits his intended target, the issue is not held back blows. Somehow Shoto is moving just barely enough for the hits to miss him. Gai hums as Lee disengages, wanting to re-evaluate his strategy.

"LEE!" Gai Shouts

"Gai- Sensei!" Lee shouts back.

"SHOW HIM THE POWER OF YOUTH!" Gai Cheers.

Lee smiles and nods, he sits down with his legs crossed, he removes his leg warmers revealing ankle weights. He removes the weights and drops them to the floor causing large cracks to appear in the concrete. The observes watch impressed. Lee stretches his legs out sighing blissfully at the slight pull of his muscles, "All right, now I can move easily!"

To most people Lee would appear to be a blur, Izuku and Katsuki watch intently. Izuku ready to stop the fight if it looks like Shoto cannot keep up. However, Izuku didn't even need to worry because Shoto has a small, thrilled smile on his face as he weaves in and out of Lee's blows. He runs around Shoto, trying to confuse and disorientate him. Lee leaps into the air going for a dropkick, Shoto shifts to the side slightly. Lee undoes his wrist bindings trying to get Shoto in his primary lotus move. But Shoto dodges the upper kick and sidesteps the bindings that try to wrap around him. Lee disengages again, a wide, thrill smile splitting his face. He hasn't gone out this far since his fight with Gaara. He looks at Gai- Sensei with a searching gaze. Gai flashes him a sparking grin, thumbs up, and a proud nod of his head. Lee's eyes fill with grateful tears.

Lee starts amassing power to unlock the first gate, the aura around him thickens and spreads out. "GATE OF OPENING: RELEASE" "GATE OF HEALING: RELEASE" "GATE OF LIFE: RELEASE" At the opening of the third gate Lee's skin turns red, his veins bulge out, and there is a green aura around him, similar to Izuku's flames. His speed when he attacks is impressive Shoto just barely manages to dodge.

Noticing that Lee is about to open more gates Gai stops him. Knowing the strain on Lee's body will be taxing. The demonstration was very informative for the shinobi. Izuku watches Lee stagger and sways slightly on his feet, "Thank you, Lee, that was amazing." Lee smiles tiredly, looking two seconds away from passing out. Izuku flares his flames covering Lee's entire body with its soothing warmth. After a few minutes, Izuku pulls his flames back. Lee stretches his worked muscles out feeling the muscles loosening up. He rotates his joints sighing blissfully when the joints pop. Izuku studies Lee for a few moments looking for any signs he missed healing anything. He doesn't spot any jolted movements or choked-off winces of pain. "How are you feeling Lee?"

Lee smiles blindingly, "I feel great! That was a very informative lesson! I still have a long way to go if I am going to be a splendid Ninja!"

Izuku slumps in relief, "That is good, imagine what you could do if you added Observation Haki to your Strong Fist or Inner Gates. You are very strong Lee, but that doesn't matter if you can't hit your opponent."

Lee goes on a tangent of saying he will master this technique, and until he does, he will do 1000 one-handed pushups, if he can't do that, he will do 1000 squats, if he fails to do 1000 squats, he will do 1000 sit-ups. Izuku smiles softly at him and nods. He tells Lee and Shoto to sit back down. "Ok, what did you notice?"

Sasuke looks intrigued, excited, "Before I activated my Sharingan, it appeared that Lee was holding his attacks back."

"It is not in Lee's character to disrespect an opponent by holding back his blows." Neji comments, Gaara agrees with a vigorous nod.

"When I activated my Sharingan, I noticed Shoto was barely moving. Just enough for the attack to miss." Kakashi stated.

"Yes exactly, with Observation Haki, Shoto was able to dodge all attacks Lee delivered without expending any unnecessary energy. If this was a real fight Shoto would have won, the moment the fight began. While Lee was expended all his energy, Shoto was not moving more than necessary. All Shoto would have had to do was wait until Lee collapsed from exhaustion, then make his move." Izuku explains.

"What happens when two users of this technique battle?" Lee asks.

"Typically, the one with the stronger willpower will win. However, there are instances when something unexpected happens." Izuku begins.

"What do you mean unexpected?" Kaminari asks.

"When we were demonstrating observation Haki to Shoto and Kirishima, Shanks had me and Kacchan spar without quirks. We are evenly matched, so something unexpected happened. The next form of Observation Haki is Future sight. I unlocked it during that spar, I knew where he was going to dodge and I countered, landing a blow on Kacchan." Izuku recalls. "Any more questions, before we move on to Demonstrating Arms?"

"How long did it take you to unlock Observation Haki?"

Izuku ponders for a moment, "Haki is a power that lives in all living things, most people never awaken it, or they don't know they have it. Some people, with proper training and strong enough wills, can unlock it after years of training. There are a few people, that have unlocked it in as little as a few days. Like every new technique, there are few that are naturally talented at it. So far everyone we taught it to, has successfully learned the basics within a couple of weeks. It is hard to say when it will unlock for any individual. Some people are naturally better at Observation than they are with Armament."

Katsuki smirks proud, "The nerd and I unlocked the basics after the second day when we were five. Ace unlocked the basics at the end of the first week. While Luffy took almost a month to unlock it. Shoto and Kirishima took almost two weeks to learn the basics."

Izuku quells the questions and comments, "When you are learning this technique when you're older it becomes apparent what style you will be good at, based on your fighting style without it. Take Kirishima for example, he has a hardening quirk, most hits don't even phase him. He is also the type of person that would absorb an attack to protect someone. It was easier for Kirishima to learn Armament than it was for him to learn Observation. With Shoto it was the complete opposite, his quirk is mostly offensive. While training with his dad he had to learn to instinctively dodge, or risk being burnt. If I were to guess who would take to Observation Haki the fastest out of the Shinobi, I'd say Itachi, Kakashi, and Sasuke would find Observation to be easier to use. Maybe Neji as well. Naruto, Gaara, Gai, Lee, and TenTen would probably find Arms easier to learn."

The shinobi nod, accepting the explanation. When there are no additional questions Izuku smirks dangerously, "Ace." He calls.

Ace gulps, "Yea, Izuku?"

Izuku's smile turns innocent, "Mind being my training dummy?"

Ace gulps again slightly fidgeting "Do I have a choice?"

Izuku smirks, "Not really."

Ace glares at Izuku, "Fucking fine." He gets up and grumbles all the way to the front of the ninja.

Izuku smiles sweetly at Ace, "Kacchan? Come here for a second."

Ace panics, "No anyone but Blasty!"

Katsuki smirks ferally, "Don't worry Matchstick, I won't enjoy this too much."

Ace has a dramatic betrayed look on his face. The ninja looks confused and a little shocked at the rising viciousness they feel. Izuku doesn't look too worried though, and when the ninja looks at the others, they look amused but not threatening. So the ninja shrugs and decides to watch. Izuku turns to Katsuki, "Ok Kacchan, punch Ace without arms or explosions."

Katsuki's face turns feral, and he cocks his fist back. He punches out and stops as his hand is in Ace's stomach. As he removes his fist Izuku explains as he heals Katsuki's arm, "Without Haki, Ace has the advantage. He can turn into Fire so non- Haki-enhanced attacks will phase right through him. He can be shot, stabbed, cut with a sword and nothing will hurt him. However, when the attacker uses Arms on their fist or weapon, the attacker can by-pass this defense." Izuku nods to Katsuki.

Katsuki smirks dangerously and concentrates his Haki to his fist, turning his arm to a shiny black color. With a shout of "DIE!" he unleashes his punch into Ace's stomach. Ace crumples over with a cough, spittle dripping out of his mouth. Katsuki catches him and rubs his back soothingly. Izuku comes and uses his healing on Ace to heal the damage.

"Danm, Blasty I keep forgetting how hard you hit." Ace wheezes.

"Besides hitting Ace this technique has powerful uses. If I were to combine it with my quirk the damage would kill Ace. You could even apply Armament to your blade to increase its overall damage. I have even applied Armament Haki to paper." Katsuki hands him a piece of paper from one of Izuku's notebooks. Izuku concentrates on imbuing his Haki to the piece of paper. He holds the shiny black paper between two figures and flicks it to the training dummy on the other side of the room. The enhanced paper slices through the neck of the training dummy, beheading it. "When enhanced with Armament Haki, even a piece of paper can be deadly."

"It's like adding wind Chakra to a kunai." Kakashi muses.

"Are there any questions?" Izuku asks.

"Is armament Haki only offensive?" Lee asks.

"No Armament Haki has defense capabilities as well. The first type of Arms is called enhancement which is invisible, it is a heavy concentration of Haki granting the user power and endurance. Enhancement is also like an invisible shield or armor. The Black fist Kacchan used to hit Ace is called Hardening. This can also be used to repel most attacks. Using Haki on your weapon is called Imbuement." Izuku explains.

Murmurs break out among the ninja, Izuku smiles listening to the excited whispers of training these new techniques. Shikamaru has a concentrated frown on his face. "I thought you said there were three types of Haki you only demonstrated two of them."

"Thank you, Shika," Izuku chuckles. "The final type of Haki, can not be taught. Only 1 in a million are born with it. For me, it unlocked when I saw Kacchan almost murdered in front of me. For Ace, it unlocked when we were seven and I went feral to protect a child. For Luffy, it unlocked when Ace was kidnapped by villains. And for Kacchan, it unlocked when he watched me get my chest caved in by a monster. This is an ability that is native to the Grandline, but Kacchan and I are native to this world, and we unlocked it. If Jiraiya is correct and Shanks is an Uzumaki from the elemental Nations, it is also possible for some of you to unlock it."

"What does this form of Haki do?" Kakashi asks.

"This form of Haki is testing your will against another's. Similar to Bloodlust, or Killing intent, conqueror's Haki attacks the mind of those it is aimed at. A strong enough blast of Conqueror's Haki can destroy a weaker mind. It can even kill people. So I am going to teach you to prepare your minds against it." Izuku states.

"How can you prepare our minds from something that can destroy it?" Naruto asks.

"During the upcoming war if I have to use it seriously, or if the enemy has it; there is a chance you all could be affected by it. By exposing you to Conqueror's Haki we can reduce your vulnerability to it. Besides, since it is also possible for the Elemental Nations people to unlock it, it would be beneficial to expose you to it. If Naruto or Gaara were to unlock it, and then hurt someone because of it, what do you think would happen to them?"

"They would never forgive themselves." Shikamaru states.

"Exactly, the better protected your mind is the less likely an unconscious or uncontrolled burst would accidentally hurt you. The more you are exposed to it, the effects won't be as effective against you."

"So how do you plan to expose us to this Haki?" Naruto asks.

Izuku smirks and blasts the area with an intense burst of Conqueror's Haki for a few seconds. The shinobi's eyes widen in fear, suddenly feeling like they are prey looking into the eyes of a hungry predator. The weaker-willed Shinobi start to sway and falter. Izuku calls back his Haki letting the Shinobi relax and regain their bearings.

"This concludes our demonstration for today, everyone partner up." Izuku gives them a few moments to partner up. Katsuki appears with an arm full of blindfolds and training sticks. "Thanks, Kacchan." He turns to the Shinobi, "this training is a bit unorthodox, but it is worth it." He hands out a blindfold and sticks to each partner. "The person who has the blindfold put it on." Izuku waits for a few moments. Once the shinobi settle again, "Now the blindfolded people sit on the floor. The Shinobi with the stick is going to randomly attack you. The goal here is the clear your thoughts and focus on your senses and try not to get hit."

"You can't be serious." Shikamaru sighs.

"I did say this training is unorthodox, but trust me, it will be worth it in the end." Izuku states with a guilty frown. "Besides, I'll heal you all after training today."

"Isn't there a way to do this without hitting each other?" TenTen squeaks.

"We haven't found a better way; people don't like being hit." Izuku states, "For me, after Kacchan hit me a few times I started to feel something like his intent, and then I would be hit. After a while, I was able to recognize that feeling and dodge before he could hit me."

The shinobi with the blindfolds on sit down and brace themselves. Izuku starts a timer for 20 minutes. "And begin," he orders. He walks around observing the blindfolders, as he predicted Kakashi, Itachi, Sasuke, and Neji are dodging more times than they are hit. Due to their Shinobi training, they are faring a bit better than Izuku originally thought they would. Gaara is struggling to try to hold his sand back. Gaara's sand automatically comes to his defense, so he has never needed to dodge before. Izuku can tell Observation Haki is going to be hard for him to learn this way. Izuku will ask Shanks for another way to unlock it. Once the timer goes off, they have the groups switch. Once everyone is settled, they begin again going for another 20 minutes. Izuku observes the group again, Sasuke randomly attacks Naruto, and every time Naruto fails to dodge, he yells out "Teme!" but his face is morphed in concentration and determination as he focuses on his surroundings. Gai and Kakashi have decided this will be something else they compete in. What surprises Izuku is when he watches Neji and Shikamaru. Shikamaru only got hit 4 times before he started dodging every single hit Neji tried to deliver. Ashido and TenTen are going to need extra help, they are only dodging about 3 out of 10 times. Rin is dodging about 50 percent of the time, while Nii was dodging 7 out of ten times. Kaminari is going to need additional help. Han and Rochi are partnered together, and they are dodging frequently but it is not instinctual yet.

The timer goes off, Izuku clears his throat, "Ok that is it for Observation Haki today. Before I let you go let's do a training debrief." The shinobi gather around again, Izuku smiles at them all, "First Shikamaru, can you describe what you were feeling?"

"The first time I got hit I didn't feel anything. The second and third time I felt a slight buzzing, before I could recognize it, I was hit. The fourth time I got hit I felt the same buzzing, but I dodged the wrong way. After that, it was like I just knew which direction Neji was coming from. For a second I would feel a slight feeling of guilt coming from behind me." Shikamaru explains.

Izuku nods, "What about you, Kakashi what did you feel."

"I felt the intent to attack and would dodge, I think Gai was faking some of his intent and coming from a different direction and I would get hit."

Gai chuckles heartily, "Indeed, my eternal rival. We have fought for so long against each other and side by side, I figured my attacks would be predictable. I wanted to maximize this training of youth."

"I see," Izuku hums. "Sasuke, Naruto what did you feel."

Naruto glares, "Sometimes it felt like the Teme was smirking at me. But I couldn't place which way he was hitting me from."

"The Dobe's strikes were random with no malice, so it was hard for me to pinpoint where he was. But then I started to feel a happy presence behind me. I realized Naruto didn't have any negative thoughts when we were training. He was just excited."

"Positive feelings are hard to defend against. Negative emotions when you can feel them will trigger your flight or fight response. Positive emotions can trick that response. There are villains out there that are generally happy, even when they wouldn't think twice to cut you down. There is intent to harm in every attack, regardless of if it is a friendly spar or a life or death situation. You will need to work on recognizing the intent under the excitement and happiness." He receives nods from both the boys, so he turns his attention to the other groups, "What about you Mina, TenTen?"

"I couldn't feel anything, I just kept dodging randomly," Mina states truthfully.

"Same." TenTen agrees.

"This is not something that will be mastered in a day or two. To be honest, it could take weeks, months, or even years to fully unlock and master this. Don't be too disheartened by it." Izuku tries to reassure with a smile. He turns to the next group Itachi and Kaminari, "How did you feel?"

"I didn't feel anything, I couldn't hear Itachi's footsteps, or breaths." Kaminari pouts.

"I was using my ANBU training. While suppressing my Chakra." Itachi admitted. "When it was my turn to dodge, I was feeling his electricity. It took a few tries to be able to pinpoint exactly where it was. His electricity would slightly flare right before he attacked." Itachi pondered.

"Rin? Nii?"

"My cat hearing could pick up some of the movement behind me, so I was able to dodge more oven than not," Nii responds.

"After a while, I felt something telling me to move, but I got hit and then I couldn't pick up that feeling again. So I kept dodging when I thought she was going to strike me." Rin confesses.

"Like I told the others, it is not going to happen the first time. The people who have been grasping this technique have either been trained in a higher form of Shinobi arts or have fought with their partners enough times to unconsciously know their tells." Izuku states, he ponders for a moment, "Those with eye powers seem to grasp this better because they are trained to find the minuscule details and react."

The girls nod, so Izuku moves on. Without prompting Han sighs, "I only started recognizing the intent about halfway through the training. And even then, it wasn't a continuous feeling sometimes I would get struck without getting any sort of feeling."

"Same," Rochi confirms.

Izuku nods, "Gaara, Lee? What did you feel?"

Gaara looks down at his feet, "I couldn't keep my sand for interfering. My sand is automatic, I have never had to stop it from protecting me. Before my seal was fixed, I would go into a meditative state to replenish my reserves. My sand would still protect me from the multiple assassinations attempts my village would try when my guard was down. So I spent the entire time trying to keep my sand from defending me so I could learn this technique."

"I have fought Gaara before so I thought it would be easy since I already knew the feeling of his attacks. But I didn't factor in that since his seal changed, he wouldn't have the tinge of bloodlust he had during the Chunin Exams. I didn't figure it out until the time was about to run out, but Gaara's presence is calm like a gentle breeze blowing through a desert. But I didn't feel any malice or intent."

Izuku hums, "For Gaara's issue I will talk with Shanks and see if he knows of a different way to teach Observation Haki. Can I ask you something Gaara?"

The boy nods and lifts his sea-green eyes off the ground.

Izuku smiles warmly at him, "How likely is something going to break through your sand?"

Gaara considers for a moment, "The only people who have broken through my sand were Lee, Sasuke, and Naruto. For Lee, it was his speed, when he took off his weights my sand was still keeping up. But when he opened the third gate it couldn't keep up. With Sasuke, it was when he used Chidori on me during our match in the Chunin Exams." Gaara flashes a small smile, "When Naruto broke through my sand it was when he headbutted me hard enough to crack my skull open."

Naruto squawks indignantly, "HEY! GAARA! I only didn't that because you were being stubborn."

"I know," Gaara smiles softly at the blond, "Thank you for knocking sense into me, Naruto."

Naruto smiles sadly at the teen, "well I know what it is like to be hated and alone. But eventually, I found a couple of people that were there for me. I couldn't be mad at you because deep down if it wasn't for Iruka, Kakashi, and Sasuke I could have very easily let the hatred get to me."

Gaara nods, tears slightly blurring his eyes, "Thank you Naruto."

Izuku watches the scene with a whine in his throat, it's so sad what these two have been through. Izuku decides to call the training for today. "Ok, every day starting tomorrow we will work on Haki training. 20 Mins per set of Observation Haki then we will work on Armament. Armament is less physically taxing than Observation is. I do request you wait until training every day to work on it, until you get the basics down. Like every new technique, you should master the basics before you start to train it on your own."

He receives nods from the ninja, Kaminari, and Ashido. Some of the younger ninja nods half-heartedly, similar to when a parent tells a child not to do something, but they still somehow manage to do it the moment the parents' back is turned. Izuku glares and laces a bit of Conqueror's in his voice, "I mean it, do not train this power on your own. This power can easily kill you or others if not trained properly."

Naruto pouts troubled, he has always needed to train extra hard to be able to accomplish the things that came easily to everyone else. And if he can only train this ability when everyone else is training it then how is he ever going to get ahead. Izuku smiles fondly at Naruto, "Naruto, if you try to force it to happen it won't, everyone will progress at their own pace. Besides, I didn't say Haki training is all that we will be doing together."

"What do you mean?" Naruto perks up.

"I sparred with Kakashi the other day, he noticed somethings about the difference in Elemental Energies here. One, the quality of Chakra is thicker, denser, harder to control. Two, his most Chakra intensive techniques required less Chakra. If you had near-perfect control before, I hate to break it to you, but you will all feel like you're in the academy again, with Naruto's level reserves." Izuku begins.

"WHAT?!" Izuku winces at the screeches coming from the others.

"You will under no circumstances be using Chakra unsupervised." He puts his hand up in a commanding gesture to get the murmurs to die down. "I'm not finished yet," he glares. "That being said I have a few things I want to try. Something I heard from Aizawa sensei got me thinking. Naruto come here for a second."

Naruto scrambles up to the front, "Oh are we gonna demonstrate a new move?"

Izuku ignores him for now, "Kakashi?"

"Hum?" Kakashi hums in response.

Izuku smirks, "how many shadow clones do you think is safe for Naruto to create?"

Kakashi thinks for a moment, considering how many he could make before, how much Chakra Naruto has, and his lack of control. "For now, we will start with 10."

Naruto pouts. But does the hand sign for his Jutsu. In a puff of smoke, the gym is filled with Narutos. Naruto's eyes are comically wide. "But huh I only put the same amount of Chakra as I normally do for 10 clones."

"Exactly, think of it this way, if your chakra was water before, it is mostly like honey now. Honey is rich, and sweet, adding a touch of honey to something makes it better. But it doesn't take a lot of Honey to overwhelm the dish. Your chakra right now is honey and moving just a small amount of the honey is going to be harder than moving a small amount of water." Izuku tries to explain.

Neji activates his Byakugan and observes Naruto's coils. He sees what Izuku is explaining to them. During the chunin exams, Naruto's chakra was a whitish-blue color. But now it is more of deep royal color, not to mention the tinge of orange he can see around Naruto's coils. The Nine-tails still has his own coils in Naruto, but they almost seem blurred now. He wonders why that is, as far as he knows Izuku didn't touch Naruto's seal. "I see."

"Exactly, Sasuke come up here," Izuku calls.

Sasuke saunters up to the front, standing in a relaxed posture. He looks at Izuku expectantly. Izuku smiles, "I want you to do a great fireball Jutsu, about the same size as the one you used on me during our fight." Sasuke nods. "Ace get ready to contain it." Ace nods as well.

Sasuke sucks in a deep breath, he puts his fingers to his lip and gathers his Chakra. He pulls on the same amount of Chakra he used before. Fire comes to him easily, always flaring under his skin like a wildfire, he centers himself and lets the Jutsu go, eyes wide in shock as the Fireball is almost white, twice as big, and twice as fast as it was before. He realizes if he was sparing against anyone, he would have done a lot of damage to the person or perhaps even killed them accidentally. He watches as Ace turns intangible and suppresses the raging fireball to a more manageable size before completely extinguishing the flames. Sasuke slumps relieved.

Izuku hums, "This is why we are going to take training slow; we are going to work on Chakra control exercises. Kakashi, could everyone theoretically use the Shadow Clone Technique?"

"For most ninja, to summon even one would kill them." Kakashi ponders, "But it could theoretically be possible for everyone to learn it here. If Naruto was being truthful about using the same Chakra to summon 10 before it should be possible."

Izuku nods, "And the Chakra is split evenly among the clones? What about memories, thoughts?"

"The Shadow Clone Technique once dispelled the memories go back to the original. Everything the clone knows how to use the original would get it as well."

Izuku hums, "Ok, what is the most extensive chakra control technique?"

"At this rate water walking and tree climbing would be impossible." Kakashi mutters, "Typically when first learning chakra control, the students would work their way up starting with the least taxing control methods to expand the reserves. I think training in reverse would be better."

"So what would the ultimate form of Chakra manipulation be?" Izuku ponders.

"I would have to say the Rasengan. The Rasengan is an incomplete Jutsu the 4th Hokage made. The Rasengan by itself is manipulating your chakra externally instead of internally. It is up to Naruto if he wants to teach the others to use it. His father created it, so it is considered a clan technique. The Rasengan is the combination of perfect rotation, power, and containment. The fourth intended to combine his Chakra nature with the Rasengan but failed to do so before he died. I tried to complete his Jutsu by adding my Lightning to it, I created the Chidori. The Chidori lacks the rotation the Rasengan has and requires speed that if you don't have the Sharingan would be impossible to overcome." Kakashi explains.

Izuku contemplates the information, "Naruto, it is up to you if you want to teach this to the others. I can understand if you want to keep it to yourself, and we will figure something else out if that is the case."

Naruto nods, "My dad created it, if he didn't teach it to Jiraiya I would have never been able to learn it. If it is something that will help us get stronger and control our Chakra, I don't really have a choice. I'll let the others learn it. But Kakashi- Sensei?"

"What is it Naruto?" Kakashi hums.

"Did dad create other techniques? Something you could teach me?" Naruto asks trying to hide his vulnerability.

Kakashi hums, "Nothing I was able to master, Naruto. Your dad was amazing at sealing and was able to repurpose the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God. Being that you are also an Uzumaki, sealing is in your blood. I was never good at sealing, just got through the basics." Kakashi rummages through his Kunai pouch. He pulls out a three-pronged Kunai handing it to Naruto. "When we settle down on the training here and you have enough control to summon Gamabunta, talk to him. Your dad was well respected by the chief toad, and he could have left something behind with them. Until then, this Kunai was your fathers, it was given to me after Rin died. If I ever needed help, I could throw this and he would appear." Kakashi chuckles sadly, "of course, it wouldn't work anymore but it is a nice keepsake."

Naruto nods scrubbing his face to rid himself of the tears streaming down his cheeks. "Thank you, Kakashi."

Kakashi nods, "Your father was a very important person to me, he treated me like I was his son and viewed him as my father. If your father left anything with the toads or Jiraiya I will help you until you master, it all." He pulls Naruto in for a hug, "Let's keep your father's legacy alive."

Naruto nods determination bleeding into his features. He clutches onto his sensei as a thought occurs to him, "If my dad treated you like a son, and you viewed him as a father…" he rubs the back of his neck, "does that mean if things were different, you would have been an older brother to me?"

Kakashi hums, "probably."

Naruto smiles softly, wistfully, "I would have called you Kashi-Nii."

Kakashi tenses slightly, not quite knowing what to do, or how to offer comfort. Naruto takes pity on him and releases his hold around the other man. He returns to Izuku's side, "Ok when Jiraiya taught me this technique it required water balloons and rubber balls." He pauses thinking about it for a moment, "A lot of them."

"Why water balloons?" Lee asks.

"There were three steps I needed to learn to master this move. The first step is rotation: you have to spin your chakra in multiple directions all at once. This step is mastered when you can rotate the water to pop the balloon with your chakra. The second step is power: you must be able to pop the rubber ball by increasing the density and volume of chakra. The rubber shell and lack of water inside make this step harder to accomplish. The third and final step is to combine the two without making the balloon pop." Naruto gives an explanation.

"Can you do the Rasengan now?" Izuku asks.

"I need a clone to keep its shape, but right now I can't summon just one clone." Naruto pouts.

"Give it a shot anyway. Try to do it without the clone." Izuku pushes.

Naruto focuses on the chakra building up in his hand, he can feel the chakra starting to rotate, and gather. When he tries to increase the power, it collapses on its self-unable to maintain its form. He huffs angrily and tries again. He decides to forgo to power addition to only work on rotating and containing the chakra. Once he has the basic sphere, he slowly increases the power and density of the ball in his hand. He is able to hold it for a few moments before it starts to disperse. He smiles widely, "I did it. For a few seconds, I had it again."

"Great job, Naruto." Izuku praises. "I'll talk to Aizawa sensei about getting some water balloons and rubber balls, we will start working on Chakra control when he is able to get them. Tomorrow we are also going to work on your transformations."

A look of apprehension crosses Naruto's and Gaara's faces, "Um, Izuku are you sure it's a good idea, what if we lose control."

Izuku smiles softly, "we are not going to do full transformations. Fuji has ten- tails, I can only summon up to 8 before I lose control. For Naruto, we will work up to 4 tails, when you can keep Kurama's form and your thoughts are mostly your own, we will slowly increase how many tails you can unleash. Gaara is going to be a little trickier, seeing as he is the One-Tailed holder we will have to control all his power all at once."

"But Shukaku rampaged the last time I transformed," Gaara states hesitantly.

"That was because of a few things, one was your seal was faulty. Secondly, he was consumed by madness. Thirdly, because of his tainted soul, he was being influenced by the hatred and negative emotions around you. That and the hatred you carried around as well." Izuku explains, "The seal has been fixed, now all we have to do is actually talk with him. Let him see that things have changed. Gaara you are not a monster, neither is Shukaku. If you treat him like a dangerous beast, he will act like one."

"I see," Gaara mutters.

"I healed him when we transferred him into the new seal." Izuku starts, "He might be a little excited when you first transform, but I can hold him back with Conqueror's Haki."

"How can Conqueror's help?" Naruto asks.

"When I was learning to control Fuji's power, Shanks needed to help me. Fuji responded to the Conqueror's Haki and during times when I was in extreme distress it helps calm him down enough for me to regain control. The only piece of advice I can give you is you cannot be afraid of him." Izuku states seriously.

"What do you mean afraid of him?" Kakashi wonders out loud.

"The Spirits are sensitive to the emotions of the host if you're angry they are angry. If you are calm, they are calm. And so on. If you are scared of your own power, the chances of losing control over it are higher. For all intense and purposes, Shukaku is Gaara's power, just as Fuji is my power. To be in control of your power is to be calm and confident in it." Izuku states. "So for now the only thing you are allowed to do on your own is meditating, talk with your spirit, get to know them. You know what they are, but who are they? Then we will work on transforming."

"Like being friends?" Naruto questions.

"Yes, exactly." Izuku smiles, "think of it this way, if you like someone, or are friends with someone you work better together. If you hate or distrust the person you are supposed to be working with it will create problems. You won't be able to work with each other."

"Then I will work on being friends with Kurama!" Naruto boasts full of confidence and determination.

"It could take a while to rebuild a relationship with the Spirits. You have known them when they were tainted. It is going to take some work to learn to forgive each other." Izuku starts.

"Forgive each other?" Naruto squints in confusion.

"You have grown up to hate the being inside you. You view them as a burden, dangerous, something to keep locked away. While they have been trapped in you as a prisoner, against their wills. In turn, they have made your lives difficult, Gaara unable to sleep, Naruto not knowing why he was hated, losing your parents to Kurama. The others shunned, feared, alone. It will take a while to forgive them and for them to forgive you." Izuku elaborates sadly.

Naruto looks down in shame, "I didn't mean to hate him."

"I know you didn't, you didn't understand what was inside you. The blame is with the villagers, making you believe you were a monster undeserving of basic human rights. Deep down that feeling of resentment you had for the village, turned into resentment for Kurama." Izuku states, "But it's ok, that only means that the friendship you could have with Kurama, or Shukaku will be stronger from it."

"Nothing worth having is easy to obtain." Shoto interrupts sagely.

"Exactly." Izuku nods. Izuku's ears perk up feeling frazzled energy coming into his range. A few moments later an excited Shanks and reluctant Aizawa enter the training room. Shanks observes the group, does a mental headcount and relaxes slightly seeing everyone is fine. Izuku sighs heavily, "Where's the fire, Shanks?"

"Huh? Fire?" Shanks asks confused.

Aizawa hits him over the head, "Idiot, he was talking about your frantic energy."

"Oh, nothing is wrong." Shanks dismisses the concerned look on Izuku's face, "it's just that Eri woke up."

Izuku perks up, "She did?"

"Yea she asked to see you and the angry blond," Shanks smirks.

"Angry Blond!?" Katsuki rages.

"Her words not mine." Shanks placates.

Izuku perks up and turns back to the ninja, "Ok tomorrow we will continue working on Haki. Remember what I said, under no circumstances are you allowed to practice Haki without me or Kacchan present. I will see about getting the items we need for Chakra Control as well. Meet back here tomorrow at the same time."

The ninja nod, Kakashi takes over the class knowing the ninja are going to want to do something to get rid of the extra energy. "Ok keeping what Izuku said in mind, we are going to work on physical conditioning."

Izuku walks out dragging Kacchan with him following Shanks and Aizawa. The other members of the pact stayed behind with the ninja to work on physical conditioning. Izuku excitedly gushes about finally getting to see Eri again. Shanks leads them to his car and starts the ride to the hospital. "Can you believe it Kacchan?"

Katsuki leans back in his seat, "Can I believe what, Nerd?"

"It's the very first request she's made… since being admitted" Izuku gushes, "And she asked to see us. I can't wait."

Katsuki smiles softly, "Well you risked your life to save her. I bet she's worried about you."

"You're probably right." Izuku sighs. "But still, it would be nice to see her again."

Shanks leads the two boys to the room Eri has been staying in. As they pass, a nurse and doctor whisper quietly to each other.

"Do you think this is a good idea?" The nurse asks. "I thought the decision was to keep the people involved in the incident as far away as possible…"

"We've been worried that she might lose control again…" The doctor sighs, "But for now, there's little cause for concern" The doctor starts to walk away, "The fact is the girl simply doesn't have the energy."

Izuku walks into the room, "Hey Eri, sorry we couldn't see you sooner."

Katsuki studies the girl, that feeling from before rising up in his throat again. He pushes it down and clears his throat, "we brought some fruit." He blushes slightly as he sees the girl's eyes sparkle, "we didn't know what you could eat, but we figured fruit would be safe."

Eri grabs the bag of fruit shakily, cautious, with a small whispered, "Thank you." Her curiosity peaks and she looks in the bag. Her eyes widen and sparkle happily as she inspects the fruit inside, "Apples!" she says with a serious face

Katsuki takes one of the apples and cuts it into smaller sections using his hunting knife. Eri accepts the plate of apples and bows in thanks. She sets the plate down and puts her hands on her knees, "The whole time, even when I had a fever, I was thinking… about how you guys saved me, but…" she bites on her lip as she pauses. "I don't know your names. I know Fuji." She blinks, "But who are you?" she looks at Katsuki.

Izuku chuckles softly, "I'm Izuku Midoriya, Fuji is my hero name. If it is easier to call me Fuji, then I'm fine with that."

"Hero name?" Eri questions confused.

"Like a code name," Izuku responds.

"Oh, okay" Eri accepts.

"This is Kacchan." Izuku smiles as he drapes an arm around Katsuki's shoulders ignoring his growl. "He is my partner, my best friend, and my most important person."

"Kacchan?" Eri asks confused.

Katsuki grunts, "the nerd calls me Kacchan. I'm Katsuki Bakugo."

Eri tilts her head to the side, and tests the name out, "Katchuki… Kachuki…"

Katsuki smiles softly, "if it's ok with the nerd I'll let you call me Kacchan."

Eri's eyes brighten, losing their frustrated edge. "Could I really?" She looks to Izuku with such hopeful eyes.

Izuku smiles fondly at the girl, "You can call him Kacchan, only if I can give you a nickname."

"Nickname?" Eri questions.

"Kacchan is a nickname the nerd gave me when we were three," Katsuki explains.

"It's a name people use with their close friends." Izuku elaborates.

"So what would my nickname be?"

Izuku puts his finger to his chin, "How about, Chimichan?"

"Chimichan?" Katsuki and Eri have matching looks of confusion.

"It's a made-up name using the first three letters of Chisana and the last two letters for Okami. It means little wolf." Izuku smiles.

"Why Chimichan?"

Izuku smiles and sits near Eri, "because I share my soul with Fuji, who is a wolf. When you ran into me Fuji wanted to make you pack."

"Pack?" Eri questions.

"Family." Katsuki clarifies.

Izuku nods, "So instead of calling you little sister, how about Chimichan?"

Eri nods, "if I let you call me Chimichan," then she points to Katsuki, "I can call him, Kacchan."

"You can call him Kacchan even if you don't want the nickname. I just thought it would be fun." Izuku smiles reassuringly.

Eri looks down, "Fuji and Kacchan, and the nice man with the glasses… you all got hurt really bad because of me…" she bows her head, "it's all my fault. I'm really sorry for causing you so much pain." Her eyes water as she holds back her tears, "and… and it's because of me you almost lost your power, Fuji."

"Eri." Katsuki plops his hand on her head, "no one, not a single person here thinks it's your fault!" he ruffles her hair, "Wanna know what we really think? We're all happy that you are safe and sound." Eri looks at Katsuki eye's wide and sparkling with tears. Katsuki continues speaking softly, "it doesn't make sense, right? Apologizing to people who don't exist. So cheer up! We all fought to see a smile on your face!" Katsuki lets his hand drop and takes a few steps back, so he doesn't crowd the girl.

Eri tries to smile wide and blinding like she witnessed Izuku do earlier. But her face scrunches up with her tears and pain and a small sound escapes her throat, "g-guh…" her tears start to fall, and she rubs at her eye furiously trying to stop them, trying to prove that she if fine. She pulls herself together when she notices Katsuki and Izuku starting to move closer. "Sorry," she blushes embarrassed, "I'm not so good at smiling."

"They're all gonna die now."

"It's way easier to just take that pain yourself."

A low growl rumbles in Izuku's chest, 'Of course, Overhaul's shadow still looms over this girl… as long as she can't smile or have fun… she still isn't saved!' "Hang on…" Izuku's eyes dull as he starts muttering, "According to the doctor, the horn that activates her quirk has shrunk… the chance of her losing control is low…" Izuku's eyes clear as he thinks of a way to cheer up the little girl, "Aizawa-Sensei. Do you think Eri could leave the hospital for a day?"

Aizawa looks shocked for a moment, "It should be possible. They are working on finding her a home…"

"In that case… the festival is only open to students, staff, and a small group of outsiders. Unlike in the past, there's little chance of running into strangers." Izuku breaks out of his muttering fit and turns his burning green eyes to Aizawa, "Would Eri be able to attend…?"

Aizawa's eye's widened slightly as he catches on, "Oh… Gotcha."

"Can Eri go to …the school festival?!" Izuku asks excitedly.

"A festival?" Eri asks trying to match Izuku's energy.

"It's a big event we have at school, there's games, performances, exhibits, food…" Katsuki smirks, "I bet they'll even have Candied Apples!"

"Candied…?" Eri tilts her head confused.

"You think you like apples now?! Hah! Well, they are even sweeter once they get the candy treatment!" Katsuki hypes.

Aizawa pulls out his phone, "Let me ask the principal…"

Izuku turns his excited eyes on the little girl, "What do you say Chimi?"

Eri perks up, "you two and everyone else… I wanna be your friend."

"We're already friends, Squirt!" Katsuki faux rages.

"And I'll keep bugging the principal until he has no choice but to let you come!" Izuku promises.

For a little while, Izuku and Katsuki engage Eri in conversation, telling the girl the different kinds of events that could be at the festival. Izuku also goes on to say that Kacchan's food is the best, but there is sure to be great food at the festival. Eri looks intrigued, her eye sparkling in excitement as she hopes she can go to this event. Eventually, Eri starts yawning, the boys regretfully say their goodbyes and that they will visit her as soon as they can.

On the way out of the hospital room, Izuku stops in front of Aizawa. "Aizawa-Sensei?"

"What is it, problem child?" Aizawa sighs tiredly.

"You said they were still looking for a home for Eri," Izuku starts, "I was wondering if they had any possibilities."

"Not at the moment, they want to keep her close to U.A. so they are looking at the teachers for suitability," Aizawa informs.

"If Shanks moves on campus, could his soulmate move in with him?" Izuku questions.

"I am not sure typically Heroes keep their soulmates out of the public eye. This is also new to us as well, not many teachers stayed on campus before it turned into a boarding school." Aizawa responds, "But I can ask Nezu if it is possible." He studies Izuku and narrows his eyes, "what are you planning, Problem Child?"

"Well, I'm not planning anything really. I know Eri is going to need to be around you, but she could also use a mother figure. My mother is already her Medicinal Guardian. I was just wondering since my mother is Shanks' soulmate if she could live on campus as well. Then my mother could adopt her, Eri would be at the school, and close to you if she loses control again." Izuku begins, "I was also thinking if the LOV is really after me, they could attack my mother while I am at school. If both of us are at the school, we would know where they would strike."

"I see, I'll bring up your concerns to Nezu." Aizawa nods, "We would need to find a position for her, female supervisors for classes A and B are already full."

"My mother is a Nurse Practitioner so she could work with Recovery Girl. Granted she doesn't have healing power, but she can help those that can't be helped by healing quirks. If someone is out of Stamina, Recovery Girl can't heal them. I do not know enough about Law's quirk to determine if there are people he can't help. But he is a surgeon, so an assistant is usually in the operating room." Izuku theorizes.

Aizawa nods again, tips his head back, and applies his eyedrops with a blissful sigh. "I will bring it up to principal Nezu."

"Thank you, Shota." Izuku says softly, "I don't want Eri to go to someone I don't trust." He tries to hold in his growl but doesn't quite manage.

"I understand," Aizawa sighs, "Is she pack?"

"Not yet, I want to claim her, Fuji already has." Izuku ponders how to explain his feelings, "I want her to trust me first, she doesn't seem to know much about the outside world. She still has Overhaul's shadow around her. I don't want her to feel like I am trying to trap her. If my mom adopts her then I can be her brother, that way I can show her how a real family is supposed to look like. Then when I tell her she is pack she will understand it is like a family."

"I get it, problem child, I will tell Nezu she is under your protection. He should allow your mother to adopt her then." Aizawa states calmly.

"There is something else about her." Katsuki blurts.

"What do you mean?" Aizawa asks curiously.

"When I first saw her picture during the mission brief. I saw images of a wolf chasing the moon. Fenrir was quiet with an intense feeling of longing. I am not too sure what it means." Katsuki glares puzzled. "I have claimed people since Fenrir woke up. I have claimed Ashido, Sabo, and Law. I didn't feel such an intense feeling of longing with any of them."

Aizawa hums, "Have you spoke to Fenrir?" Katsuki shakes his head, Aizawa sighs, "Try to talk to him and find out who this girl is to him."

Katsuki nods, "yea I'll do that. Thanks, Lazy-Sensei."

Aizawa glares but doesn't comment on the nickname. He has known Katsuki long enough to know that is just how the explosive teen is. "Alright, come on problem children. We should get going back to campus."

Izuku drags Katsuki along with him, he is suspiciously quiet. Katsuki looks at him from the corner of his eye, observing his Nerd. He can't make anything out of the nerd's face, he's just staring off at nothing a blank look on his face. There is no muttering coming from the nerd like there usually would be if he was in deep thoughts. Katsuki is getting nervous, he snaps his fingers in front of Izuku's face, waves his hands, even pokes his nerd's cheek. Nothing he does gets a response from Izuku. He catches Aizawa's eye from the rear-view mirror and shrugs his shoulder with a helpless look in his eyes.

"Nerd?" Katsuki tries. He waits a few seconds for any response that the Nerd heard him. Nothing, not a twitch of a muscle, no recognition in his emerald eyes, not even blinking. He tries again, "Nerd?" a little louder. Still nothing. Katsuki decides to shake his Nerd's shoulder, it is almost like the nerd fell asleep with his eyes open. That doesn't get a response. So he warms his hand with his quirk and brushes along his soulmate's back lightly brushing against the soul mark. This gets him a shiver, but nothing else. So he increases the intensity of the heat on his palm and does it again. He is rewarded with a very low whimper. He tries to push the worry down; his nerd doesn't seem distressed or anything. His nerd's heart rate and breathing are normal, so he is not in the middle of a panic attack. It doesn't seem like Izuku is having any traumatic visions or anything like that. So he decides to continue tracing the soul mark with his fingers, relishing in the little whimpers and whines he receives. His nerd will come out of whatever is happening on his own. Then he will tell Katsuki what the fuck that was.

It takes a while for Izuku to come to, Katsuki has pulled the nerd to lay in his lap gently stroking his hair. "Kacchan?" Izuku asks confused.

"Nerd." Katsuki pauses his hair stoking, "What happened?" is said in barely concealed worry.

Izuku hums, "I was talking to Fuji. When you said you felt a longing for Eri, I did as well. I must have been so lost in my thoughts I went to Fuji's den."

"Oh, what did Fuji say?" Katsuki asks curiously.

Izuku ponders how to explain what he was told, "Well I asked him if he would know of anyone Fenrir was close enough to long for. Fuji told me about Fenrir's children Skoll and Hati. After Fenrir was imprisoned Skoll chased the sun across the sky, he wanted to plunge the realms into darkness. Hati chased the Moon. According to the prophecy, Hati and Skoll will catch their prey to begin Ragnarok. However, since Fuji saved Fenrir, he doesn't know what happened to them. They probably went to Lyngvi to see him, but they found him missing. Thinking the beginning of Ragnarok was upon them they probably went to Asgard. The Gods may have imprisoned them hoping to lure Fenrir back. Or they died attacking the Gods. Fuji doesn't know because he took Fenrir back to his home to heal him. By the time Fenrir recovered and they searched for Skoll and Hati, they were nowhere to be found."

Katsuki considers the information given to him, "So Fuji thinks the reason I have the feeling of such intense longing is that Fenrir can sense his kin? That would explain why I saw images of chasing the moon when I looked at her picture."

Izuku nods, "It is possible, we will have to talk with Fenrir to be sure."

"Yeah, if Hati is here Skoll might be here as well." Katsuki muses.

"If Eri somehow connected to Hati, it is possible that Skoll is bound to someone as well." Izuku agrees. A small whimpering whine escapes Katsuki, a look of longing on his face. Izuku wraps his tail tighter around Katsuki, "It's ok Kacchan. We will figure it out."

Katsuki's face forms into a grimace, "Fenrir is upset. I don't like it."

Izuku smiles fondly at Katsuki, he can see the teen cares deeply for Fenrir, "If Hati is bound to Eri, it is our responsibility to help her reunite with her family. If Skoll is here too, we will help him. Fenrir is probably upset because he misses his children, and while he is bound to you, he is not free to find them."

Katsuki's face turns determined, "then we just have to find them for him. And claim them."

Izuku smirks, "of course Kacchan. Fuji's kin is already pack, it makes sense to make Fenrir's kin pack too."

Sometime during the conversation, Aizawa has parked the car behind the school. He gets out to give to two some privacy to talk. If Fuji believes it is possible for Eri to have the Spirit of Fenrir's child in her, then it makes it even more of a concern to make sure she stays at U.A. He has been around one protective wolf for over a decade, and while Katsuki hasn't had Fenrir that long he is still protective to the people he has claimed. If Fenrir is already feeling his child in Eri… well Aizawa doesn't want to know what would happen if they separate the girl from him. It would be catastrophic for sure. Aizawa waits patiently for the two teens to finish talking.

The two teens emerge from the car after a few minutes. Aizawa flashes the two a look, making sure there is nothing wrong. Katsuki has a look of deep sadness, but it is well hidden. Izuku is hovering closely whispering promises too quietly for Aizawa to hear. Aizawa opens the door to the dorms as the two approaches. Izuku flashes him a small smile and says his goodnights to Shota. Aizawa hides his smile in his scarf and tells his problem children to stay out of trouble. He smirks at the resulting pout from Izuku and glare from Katsuki as they grumble their way into the building to get pounced on by an excited Luffy. He turns around and leaves the barracks, making his way to Nezu's office.

Inside the dorms, Izuku and Katsuki are hounded by their pack. Luffy wraps his arms multiple times around the pair. "How was Eri?"

Izuku smiles fondly, "She is doing ok, she wants to be our friend."

"Is Eri the girl that was on Izuku's back during the mission?" Kaminari asks.

Izuku nods, "yea, she finally woke up and wanted to see us."

"She's such a cutie," Kirishima gushes.

"Yea she is, I'm gonna try to get my mom to adopt her," Izuku whispers quietly. The packs' eyes widen but they don't want to draw attention to them, so they keep their questions to themselves, for now. Izuku will tell them his plans when they are safe in their suite.

Katsuki pulls Izuku toward the kitchens, it is still early enough that he can make something quick. As a passing thought he remembers Asui wanted to talk to them tonight, he wonders if she ate anything yet. He mentally goes over his ingredients for diner, he is going to need to go shopping soon. But he has enough stuff to make a simple curry. Katsuki looks around for Asui, he finds her sitting on the couch deep in thought. There are plenty of conversations happening around her, but she is not participating in any of them. He lets go of Izuku's hand, flashes him a small look, and starts moving toward Asui.

As he approaches the zoned-out girl, the chatter of the others silences completely. He plants his hand on Asui's shoulder and ignores the startled flinch he gets in return. He tries to look less threatening than he usually does, but he is not sure if it worked. He goes for a different tactic, "You still want to hang out with us tonight?"

Asui loses the fear in her eyes as she remembers talking with Izuku this morning about wanting to talk with the two later. She nods, "yeah, Mina told me, you both wouldn't mind if I wanted to hang out."

Katsuki nods, remembering what Asui said about not wanting to worry the others with her burdens. "Have you eaten yet? I'm making curry for me and the nerd. You're free to join us if you want."

Asui blinks, "no I haven't eaten yet." She goes to stand up and follows Katsuki into the kitchen. She sits at the table with Izuku, while Katsuki goes to prepare dinner for them. Asui studies the explosive teen, she knows there is more under his hard exterior than what meets the eye. But she didn't think she would ever see it. Katsuki may not have been rude to her, but just observing him with the other classmates, his interactions usually consists of growling remarks and vicious smirks. But last night opened her eyes, she realized that even when the teens should be able to put their guards down, they can't. The best they can hope for from the rest of the class is indifference, but mostly they just get looks of distrust and contempt. The rest of the class can socialize with each other plan events and unwind from the stress of the day. But Izuku and his pack can only unwind around each other, mostly in their own suite. Even if they tried to unwind as a group in the common area, Izuku is too nice to put unnecessary stress on his classmates by being around. Asui thinks this is entirely wrong, and she wants to cry and help them, but she doesn't know how to change the view of the rest of the class. The class is divided into three groups, Izuku's pack, Iida's followers, and the rest that treat Izuku with indifference. The others would like to try and reach out to Izuku and the others don't because they don't want Iida to demean them and accuse them of being villains.

To prove this, before Katsuki came to Asui the other classmates were engaged in a debate on what to do for the school festival. The majority of the class voted against waiting for the rest of the class to arrive. Luffy, Ace, Shoto, Kirishima, Ashido, and Kaminari walked away after that saying if the class didn't want Izuku and Katsuki to be a part of the plans, then they won't be a part of the plans either. The class tried to get Kaminari and Ashido to stay but they wouldn't back down. Asui stopped paying attention after that, focusing more on that unsettling feeling.

The placing of food on the table and gentle chatter of the others in the pack, startle Asui out of her thoughts. Izuku smiles softly at the frog-like girl, seeming to know what she is thinking about, "don't worry about it, for now, we will talk up in our suite."

Asui nods and looks down at her food, there are so many emotions swirling in her she doesn't really want to eat.

Izuku nudges her gently, "Kacchan's cooking is the best. But if you don't feel like you can eat right now, we can pack it up for you to have later."

Asui looks guilty, she tries to take a few bites, but regardless of how delicious it is; she just can't do it. She looks at Katsuki guiltily, she doesn't want to hurt his feelings or disrespect him. She is slightly shocked when all she gets is a look of understanding as Katsuki grabs her plate and moves to the counters. He packages the leftover food and puts a note on the top so no one else eats it. He flashes a meaningful look to Ace and Shoto, requesting them to clean up the kitchen. Ace nods and ropes Kirishima and Luffy into cleaning as well.

Izuku stands up tail wrapped around Asui he turns to the others, "Give us some time before you come up. I'll let you know when we're done."

"Don't worry about it Izuku," Ace nods, "take care of her."

Izuku nods and leads Asui to his and Kacchan's room. The ride in the elevator passes quietly, they reach the suite in no time. Izuku waits for Asui to say what's on her mind. When it becomes apparent that she won't start Izuku sits next to her, "What's wrong, Tsuyu?"

Asui sighs, "It started a couple of weeks ago, I woke up feeling unsettled. There is something in the air telling me something big is coming. I'm not sure what it means and thought since you two have animalistic quirks that you would know." Asui notices the looks pass back and forth between Izuku and Katsuki, she continues, "there's something else too. I understand the increased security around the school, but there is something different about some of the people U.A. has hired. I can't put my finger on it, they don't feel evil, villainous, or bad, but it's like moving shadows, honed, and powerful. I know if there is something big going on that you guys are a part of, I understand why you wouldn't confide in the rest of the class. But I want to help, whatever this threat is, it's bad enough for you to try and make amends with Iida, right? I know I'm not that strong, but I want to help if you would let me."

Izuku sighs, "I can't tell you what is going on, not yet."

Asui nods, "I understand, this is something only a few people know about right. The teachers not all of them know it seems like only Shanks, Aizawa, and Nezu know. If you don't feel comfortable telling me anything I understand. But can I ask you for something?"

"What is it?" Izuku asks curiously.

"Can you help me get stronger?" Asui fiddles with her fingers, "Even if you can't tell me, I want to help. If you can help me, get stronger, I can help when you need me."

Izuku studies the girl intently, she is clearly distressed, but she is sincere in her words. Her conviction to get stronger is genuine. He doesn't detect any lies from the girl either. "Tsuyu," the girl looks up at him. "It's not that I don't want to tell you what is happening, I physically can't tell you. I think you are plenty strong for the amount of training you have done. But if you're serious about wanting my help to train you, I'll see what I can do to help."

Asui nods, "It's just you guys are so strong. I feel like you guys are stronger than most pro heroes today. And your teamwork is like nothing I have ever seen. I want to have people I can depend on to have my back. Mido-Chan you have saved my life twice, and I have done nothing to help you." She starts to tear up feeling helpless, and frustrated, "I tried to help when Iida was accusing you of corrupting the others in the class. I tried to defend Bakugo when the class was commenting on his new wolf features. But I kept getting talked over, Ashido is loud and outgoing people stop to listen to her. I wanted to help save Bakugo and Ace when they were kidnapped but I didn't know when you were going to rescue them. I just felt so useless, so far, I haven't been able to do anything. During the U.S.J. incident, I needed to be saved twice, I wasn't able to help in the Hosu Incident. I didn't help at the mall, and I couldn't help at the training camp. I just thought if I could help save Bakugo and Ace, then you wouldn't have had to do it on your own. You always carry the weight of everything on your shoulders, and now with this threat, I can finally help you with." The tears are falling freely, "And I hate the way the rest of the class treats you. Can't they see everything you guys do, is so good? They are either scared to be criticized by Iida to reach out to you, or they believe Iida that you guys are villains. While you guys were gone, they voted on whether or not to wait for you before they started debating on what to do for the festival. They voted not to wait, Ace, Luffy, Shoto, Kirishima, Kaminari, and Ashido left saying if they didn't want you two to be in the planning, they wouldn't be there either. The class was only trying to get Ashido and Kaminari to stay, thinking they weren't too far gone yet."

Izuku pulls the distressed girl in for a hug, "I know how the majority of the class views us. It's not right, but I can't force them to change their views. But I am thankful that I have someone like you ready to defend us when we are not around." He rubs the girl's back as she cries into his shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't notice how the rift in the class has affected you. I refuse to change who I am for others, but if you need someone to lean on, I'm here for you."

Katsuki growls low in his throat at the distress coming of the quiet girl, "Froggy," he hates that this girl is torn up for them. He is shocked, she is crying for them, for the treatment they receive from the others. Now that he thinks about it, he has never seen Tsuyu lean on anyone. She is always alone quietly observing her classmates and keeping most of her thoughts to herself. It is clear that she needs people to lean on, and Katsuki thinks she has been so strong not having anyone to lean on. He looks over at Izuku, a silent conversation happening. The only way the pack knows how to give and receive comfort is through puppy piles. Katsuki sends a quick text to the others and pries the sobbing girl off Izuku. He gently holds her and lets her cry in his strong form. This is ok he will be strong for her. Izuku shifts and curls around Katsuki and his charge.

Katsuki watches the others come in and curl around the distressed female, soaking in the warmth the wolf gives out around his pack. And well if Katsuki counted Asui in that number then fuck it, it just makes the pack bigger. And he is sure Izuku wouldn't mind at all that Asui is now Katsuki's. Izuku looked seconds away from smashing the building to pieces just to make Tsuyu stop her tears. Of course, Katsuki would help with the demolition of their classmates, no way in hell is the Nerd gonna get all the fun. Katsuki squeezes his arms around Asui, pulling her closer to her chest in a clearly protective, possessive way. It only takes a few moments of gentle heat and firm squeezing for Asui to finally fall asleep. Katsuki smiles softly, he doesn't bother to wake the girl up. They will sleep like this and explain things to her in the morning when emotions aren't too high.