Don't know if I ever mentioned this. But when I started this story. I never intended a Yugioh-esque partnership between Izuku and Cujo. But hey. I'm not complaining. But It just feels like I'll never be free from my Yugioh phase!

That following Monday there was a teacher meeting before school. Which meant that they all had to be there an hour earlier than they normally would be. Which was fine. It just meant that the boys had to hang around the teacher's lounge while the teachers and Nedzu had their meeting. Izuku and Hitoshi, though they promised they wouldn't be sleeping next to each other anymore. Proceeded to snuggle up close to one another on a nearby couch to sleep for the next two hours.

"-On to finals." Nedzu picked up a stack of papers and gently tapped them on the table to straighten them out from their haphazard appearance. "In accordance with the Safety commission, they are insisting that we challenge our students. To prepare them for when they face off against real villains."

"Which is ridiculous. Third years I understand, but first years?" Hizashi gave his head a shake with a scowl.

"I know, but it's what the Safety commission wants, unfortunately. So, instead of robots, the hero course students will be fighting well…you guys. To make it fair, because let's face it, a bunch of fourteen and fifteen-year-olds going up against proheroes isn't fair. It'll be two students per prohero. I need you all to discuss on who you think you'd work well against and why."

For Shouta, it was almost no question. He immediately laid out his student roll call sheet and explained to each teacher why they should be fighting this pair of students. It seemed easy and simple-

Until it wasn't.

"We need a team of three…" He muttered once he looked at his class list.

"A team of three? What for? There are twenty students in your class." Nedzu inquired.

"It's Izuku or more rather Cujo. He should be put up against me. Just him and Cujo."

"Are you sure about that, Shouta?" Toshinori and Shouta immediately locked eyes. Shouta then narrowed his eyes.

"Yes." He stated between clenched teeth. "Why?"

"You've seen it that day the same as us. Cujo is fast, but not only that he's willing to do whatever he wants to get what he wants. He nearly stabbed a student just to get Izuku to come back to him. He's dangerous and I don't think just anyone should be able to fight him."

Shouta rolled his eyes. "Huh, interesting. I figured you wouldn't want to fight a mistake." Really, Shouta was biting his tongue to keep from saying something a little more offensive. But he was making strides at being better with that 'sharp tongue' of his as Hound Dog put it. Still, Toshinori winced and it made Shouta smile a little. "Regardless… Cujo should fight me. Not only does he trust me but I can turn off his quirk."

Toshinori shook his head. "I don't agree. This is about testing them and because of certain circumstances, he should be fighting me. He's too strong to face off against you. You've seen how fast he can be. One blink and he's won."

Shouta felt a frown tug at his lips. "You think you can take him?"

"He needs to fight someone on his level."

Shouta sneered visibly at Toshinori. His mouth was close to contorting into a snarl but he managed to keep his cool, for now but Toshinori was pushing it. "You think you're on his level? How cute. Cujo and Izuku are so far above you, there's no comparison. You tried to grapple with Cujo the same day he tried to stab someone and he jumped over you. You know how fast he is. The moment the final starts it might as well be over. At least with me, there's a chance. He won't even need to fight you. No. I already got a party for you: Bakugo and Hitoshi."

"I don't think you understand, Aizawa. With Izuku's biology and quirk it's best if he goes against me."

"His biology? Elaborate…I dare you." Shouta hissed lowly. He felt like a cat prepared to pounce on an unsuspecting lizard sunbathing on a rock. He was ready to rock Toshinori's shit.

"His father-"

"I'm his father!" Shouta shot from his chair and was immedately grappled by Hizashi and Nemuri alike. Toshinori tried to back up but nearly fell out of his chair.

"Calm down, Shou! Remember what Hound Dog said. You said you'd try and better yourself about this stuff!" Hizashi whispered in Shouta's ear. Shouta's struggling slowly waned after that as he forced himself to relax. Then, when he was fully calm enough not to want to bash Toshinori's head in, he did something he's never done before. He spoke what was on his mind.

"...Toshinori… I get your concerns…" His voice was slow, almost pained as he spoke each word through tightly clenched teeth. "But, Cujo is better suited against me. Cujo trusts me. Cujo knows he can't go crazy when he's up against me. His Biological father be damned in this situation. I'm Izuku's and Cujo's father."

Toshinori shut his eyes. "...Bakugo and Hitoshi? Why them?" He changed the subject. A wise choice.

Hizashi and Nemuri let Shouta go. "To put it bluntly. They don't get along and Hitoshi needs to learn that as a hero he must work with those he doesn't like. Trust me, those two will be more than enough for you to fight. Granted if they don't fight each other first. Leave Cujo to me. In fact, we'll go ahead and have his fight first and foremost. To get it out of the way and if I am injured then I can be healed before fighting against Todoroki and Yaoyorozu. Now back to what started it. The team of three. It's Sero. I don't have anywhere to put him and it isn't fair to pit him against Midnight without a partner. So, someone needs a team of three."

"Hm." While the other teachers have been quiet during Toshinori's and Shouta's exchange it didn't change the fact that they were still there and it was Midnight who had a suggestion. "Instead of taking Sero away from me. Why don't you instead take Yaoyorozu off of your team and give her to me and Sero and then take Todoroki and put him with Hitoshi and Bakugo seeing how they are going up against the number one hero? Heavens knows they could use the extra help. Especially seeing how they get along like oil and water."

"Hm. I see your point, Nemuri, however the point of Hitoshi and Bakugo's battle is that they need to learn to work together. Todoroki may limit that. Not only that but Todoroki may tip the scales in their favor. He's strong, and learning how to do hand to hand training on top of his strong quirk."

"Okay, switch it." Toshinori gave a sigh of defeat. "Yaoyorozu fights alongside Bakugo and Hitoshi. If anyone can make those two learn to get along. It's her. Not only that but, while her quirk is strong, it's not overly strong like Young Todoroki's quirk, it's strong enough in its own right and won't tip the scales. Not only that but if they win it'll give her her confidence back. Isn't that the whole point you wanted to fight her, Shouta?" The two of them stared one another down for a few passing moments before Shouta nodded.

"Alright." He conceded fairly quickly. "We can pair Todoroki with Sero against Midnight. I feel like that'll still be a challenge for the two of them regardless of Todoroki's powerful quirk, especially considering Midnight's own quirk… so…are we all in agreement? Are there any objections?" He looked at the other teachers and Nedzu.

The others agreed and Shouta gave a nod.

"The finals will be on Friday and will probably take all school day. Make sure you're all prepared and prepare your students the best you can without telling them! This has to be a surprise, something else the commission wanted: Something about keeping the students on their toes." Nedzu informed the teachers and looked at the time on his watch. "Lots to do and plan for."

Quirk training on Monday.

Quirkless sparing on Tuesday.

Heroics with All Might on Wednesday.

Study period on Thursday.

Midterm Finals on Friday.

Izuku was immediately wary of this lineup. He could feel it deep in his bones. The adults were planning something. Mainly because their finals still weren't mentioned. He figured they would be given a heads up on what they're fighting…but nothing has been said.

Chaos is brewing.

"Yeah, yeah." Izuku rolled his eyes at Cujo as looked away from the whiteboard. They had just finished up with English which meant lunch was coming up. Then after lunch was the quirk training. Izuku would probably be paired up with Tokoyami during this for obvious reasons. So far, during their training sessions after school Tokoyami has been helping with his tips. More specifically the tip of:

"They're your quirk. It's important to remember. You control them. Not the other way around. While there will inevitably be times when Cujo may become stronger than you, it's important to remember to keep them in your hold. You should have to risk someone being stabbed for you to come back and control them. Always keep a hold on them no matter how small that hold may be. That being said: You and Cujo are a unit. A partnership. You shouldn't have to smother him to keep him under control. He, like Dark Shadow, probably wants some freedom."

So, Izuku changed his hold on Cujo. As weird as it sounds. From now on. They always held hands. Mentally speaking that was. Which was weird to think about. This way it gave Cujo a little more freedom and allowed Izuku to keep a hold on him. Which, again, was weird because Izuku's hands were free, but not in his mind.

Something suddenly struck Izuku in the face. "Huh?" He gasped in shock while looking to see what had hit him. It was a folded piece of paper in the shape of a triangle. He looked towards who could have tossed the paper at him. His eyes scanned the talking students just idling chatting, waiting for the bell to ring. His eyes eventually landed on Ochako in the back of the class.

She bit her lip embarrassed when their eyes met. She then mimicked opening a book to him.

He looked down at the paper and then carefully unfolded it to see just what was written inside.

I'm Sowwy.

I jumped to CATclusions.

PAW-lease forgive me for my MEOWstakes.

Below the misspelling was a doddle of a cat with comically big eyes and a tear in its left eye. It was absolutely ridiculous.

And it made Izuku laugh. Just a soft laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. He put his hand to his forehead to just chuckled lowly.

"You laughed!" Ochako skirted up to his desk with glee. "Ah! I knew that would make you laugh!" She looked so triumphant.

"Yes. I laughed. But that doesn't mean I forgive you." Izuku stated firmly once he finished laughing. He looked her dead in the eyes and spoke slowly and clearly. "I was vague on purpose, Ochako. I have no clue if Todoroki felt the same as me as I do him. I was also trying to save your feelings by being vague. I thought if I gave you the basics of the person you would realize I wasn't just rejecting you and that I had someone else in mind, but you turned around and assumed I meant my brother. Which is gross. I need you to understand that."

Ochako blushed and poked her index fingers together. She guiltily stared down at the floor below and gnawed on her lip. "I-...I know it was messed up of me…" She whispered in a weak and trembling voice. "I should have seen it was Todoroki, but… you and your brother are just so close. I've never seen anything like it…"

"I understand that, but, it's like Hichan said: at the time you knew why we're close to one another. You knew that our trauma is what made us this close. What's worse than that? You railed people to stage an intervention. You publicly humiliated my brother and me instead of just doing the logical thing and coming to one of us."

Tears filled Ochako's eyes at this, her complexion turned blotchy as she fought against her overwhelming guilt. "I just-...I'm sorry. Really, I am." She sniffled and wiped her eyes with her sleeves. "I know what I did was wrong. I-I think I was just upset because you rejected me. I latched on to-to the idea that you had a crush on Hi-Hitoshi and thought I could save you."

Izuku sighed before giving his head a shake. "Look, Ochako… I-" He sucked on his teeth and paused to think about what he wanted to say next. "I- don't want our friendship to end over this."

She perked at that. Her eyes were red-ringed and puffy from her crying. She gave a comical sniff as she looked curiously at him.

"Now, before you get too excited. Yes, I'm willing to give you and everyone you rallied a second chance. But that does not mean I will trust you guys. You're going to have to earn that trust back."

That unfortunately included Iida. while Izuku will trust Iida in battle, the sheer fact that Iida didn't talk to him about this whole debacle hurt. Was a simple question that hard to ask?

He collected his stuff off of his desk and started packing them away. 'Besides. I can't give Hitoshi a second chance and not give Ochako and the rest of them the same.' He theorized in his mind.

You sap.

"Everyone deserves a second chance, Cujo."

"I'm tired of eating on the roof, anyways." Izuku turned to her with his books in his hands. "That being said. At the same time, I may give you a second chance, do not assume Hichan will be so forgiving." He advised her. "I really would give him his favorite food if you choose to ask for forgiveness from him."

"Crunchy Miso soup, right?" Ochako inquired.

"That's the one."

The bell for lunch rang and students started to file out one by one. Izuku watched as Hitoshi and Denki walked out together. He wondered if they would be planning to eat on the roof today, or if they would eat in the cafeteria.

Ochako walked out with Iida she looked a little more lively as she grinned at him.

Izuku's sleeve was pulled, stopping him from leaving. He looked over at Todoroki. Todoroki was pinching the end of Izuku's sleeve, stopping him from escaping with the rest of their class. He had a small smile on his face-

But he also had a new bruise just below his right eye.

Cujo bristled under Izuku's skin.

…I'm taking that quirk back-

Izuku squeezed Cujo's hand in his mind. "No." He stated in a firm, but not unkind, tone to his quirk.

It wasn't until the last classmate, Bakugo, left and the door shut did Todoroki speak.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. Yourself? I didn't get to say goodbye on Saturday and you never came by on Sunday." Izuku asked as he turned fully to Todoroki.

Shoto shrugged weakly. "As good as I can be in all reality. So…" He gave a low whistle and then looked up at the ceiling. "Is what Hitoshi said on Friday true? Was it really me you had a crush on?"

Izuku thought his face was going to explode. "I-... I forgot you were right there when Hitoshi spelled it out for Ochako… Oh god. I never meant for you to find out. At least not like this." Izuku whined while hiding his red face into his hands. "I am so sorry." His voice was barely a whisper.

Shoto put the knuckle of his index finger to his lips as he gave a soft chuckle that was almost a giggle. He then lowered his hand and smiled. "While I don't exactly agree on your brother outing you and myself the way he had, I understand why he did it. After some reflecting, if someone implied that I had a crush on my brother, adoptive or not, I think I'd be pissed to."

"It was frustration more than anything that forced Hitoshi's hand. I don't agree on his outburst, but, ever since grade school students have implied or spread false rumors about us either sleeping together or being in a relationship. I know we're close. I know most aren't as close to their biological siblings, but for the longest time, it was just me and him. We didn't want others to befriend us."

"I can understand that." There was a familiar knowing behind Shoto's eyes. "I thought I had no use for friends. That friends would only just drag me down." He reached and grabbed Izuku's hand. He was gentle while he interlocked their fingers.

"What changed your mind?" Izuku felt breathless as his cheeks turned pink.

"You."

"Ehh?!" Izuku made a noise similar to that of a kettle as his face turned about ten different shades of red in rapid succession.

There was that smile that melted Izuku's heart that followed by a low chortle. "Is it really that shocking that you were my first friend?"

"I mean…" Izuku smiled shyly with his eyes shut. "I'm glad I helped you change your mind."

"Izuku…Can you look at me?" So, Izuku shyly opened his eyes to look into Shoto's different-colored eyes. "I'm going to be honest with you… relationships are foreign to me. I've never-... Like I said, until recently, I've never desired friendship let alone… a partnership."

"And that's fine." Izuku clasped both hands around Shoto's hand. "Even though I have a crush on you. I will never try and force you into a relationship. Especially if you're uncomfortable with the idea."

"That's the thing… I'm not." He whispered lowly to Izuku like he was speaking a secret. "I'm-" This time Shoto blushed a bright pink color. "This is something I'm willing to try… even though it's way way out of my comfort zone."

"Shoto…"

"..." Shoto was shaking as he reached over to the nearest desk where Izuku noticed a neatly wrapped bento was sitting. The bento was wrapped in a furoshiki that had cute little white and red strawberries on the wrapping. He grabbed the bento and presented it to Izuku. "My- My sister-" He paused, sucked in a deep breath to calm himself, and then properly presented the bento to Izuku. "My sister made this and told me to tell you that I made it and to give it to you…."

Izuku gnawed on his lip to keep from laughing. It wasn't Shoto. It was the bluntness that made Izuku want to giggle. "Thank you." He gently took the bento. "And…" Izuku walked back to his desk and pulled out his own bento. "Great minds think alike. Here. I made this for you." He was gentle as he pushed the bento toward Shoto. "You said you liked cold Soba, right?" He gave a small smile and Shoto's eyes softened.

"I do. C'mon. Let's go and eat lunch."

Yeah, they were a little late for lunch, but it didn't matter. Not like they had to get in line. They sat at a table with Denki, Hitoshi, and Momo of all people. Izuku didn't think he spoke more than three words to the girl and yet here she was.

"Hello, Yaoyorozu." Shoto dipped his head in greeting and Momo returned the greeting in full.

"Todoroki. Aizawa I."

"Yaoyorozu." He mimicked Shoto's polite greeting. "What brings you to our little slice of hell?" He asked with a smile and allowed Shoto to sit next to Momo. He continued to stand while waiting for Yaoyorozu.

Yaoyorozu sucked in a breath through her nose. It was loud and noted through the whole table. "If I must be honest. It's Aizawa H. No offense, Aizawa H but you're rather intimidating and it shows in your air. I'm hoping that by sitting with you today, while you're here and not on the roof, it'll keep him away."

"Him?" Izuku inquired and it was like the devil himself heard him as he would get his answer only seconds later.

"Welllll, if it isn't my pretty doll. Did you miss me since the Sports festival, well, Don't worry, your hero has arrived!"

*SLAP*

Izuku audibly gasped when someone's hand made harsh contact with his rear. Yeah, he gave Cujo control just from the shock of it. Cujo stared down at Mineta, no doubt his now red eyes glowing as Mineta shrank back in fear.

Mineta's smile faltered a little as he gulped. "Eh…Doll?"

"CONSENT!" Cujo roared in a mixture of anger and umbrage. "Do not touch me again!"

Hitoshi froze. He heard it, but had the others?

Mineta gave a cry of alarm as he fell to the ground clutching his, now bleeding and broken, nose. "It's…it's a compliment! The girls like it when I do it!"

Yaoyorozu scowled and crossed her arms over her chest. "We don't like it…" She scowled. "It's gross!" She snarled before immediately correcting herself and making herself more presentable.

"Ugh. I think you broke my nose-"

"Good!" Cujo snapped and his teeth even clicked like he was going to start biting.

Toshinori came jogging up quickly, saw Izuku, looked confused, and then he saw Izuku's red eyes. Then he sagged a little. "Do I even want to know?" He asked with a headshake. "You can't just attack people!" his voice snapped just a little as he turned to Cujo. Cujo took a startled step back at the harshness in Toshinori's tone before he steeled himself.

"He touched me without my permission. I didn't like it. Therefore I'm in the right to defend myself!"

"People will touch you-"

"No- Toshinori-" Izuku suddenly took control. "He slapped my butt. I don't know about you, but Cujo had every right to jump in when I was being sexually harassed."

"It's true." Shoto gently opened his bento and looked at Toshinori. "I witnessed it. We all did. Cujo didn't attack unjustly in my opinion."

"Nor mine. If anything Cujo should have hit him harder." It was shocking to hear Momo say that so bluntly and blatantly as she dug into her food. Such a tiny portion of food made Izuku frown just looking at it. 'She needs to eat to keep her quirk up. Food helps fuel her quirk, so why is she eating such small meals?' He found himself thinking for just a second.

"Yeah, man!" Denki joined in. "Don't get upset with Cujo."

"...Alright. Let's get you to Recovery Girl…Izuku, walk with me?" Toshinori asked as he looked over his shoulder at Izuku. Hitoshi's eyes narrowed at this.

"Uh. Well…yeah…" Izuku scratched the back of his head. "I guess that would be the right thing to do."

… Cujo slipped his hand into Izuku's regaining their hold on one another as Izuku told his friends they'd be gone only for a few minutes. Izuku didn't know if he wanted to bury his head or laugh when as they left he heard Denki say.

"So, we're not just going to talk about the fact that he was holding hands with the air?"

Was he? Whoops.

Toshinori helped Mineta to Recovery Girl's office. Mineta's nose was most definitely broken from Cujo's donkey kick. Recovery Girl tutted at Mineta. "Again? You need to stop." She seethed at the boy before shutting her office door in their faces. "This is the sixth time someone had to bring you to my office because you were caught touching someone and they didn't like it! Quite frankly I'm getting sick of healing you-"

"-Let's leave them be. Walk with me." Toshinori put a hand on Izuku's shoulder and lead him down the hall where Recovery Girl's scoldings were soon quieting down the farther they receded from her office. "...My boy. I'm just going to say it. You need a tighter hold on that quirk."

"I'm trying," Izuku whispered and he felt Cujo squeeze his hand. "He was just doing what he thought was right."

"And you think breaking a fellow student's nose was right?"

"Considering the guy slapped my ass so hard it jiggled, yeah. I'd say it was justified." Izuku stopped walking and put his hands on his hips. "Considering the fact that Cujo could have used his our quirk on him at that moment. I'd say a broken nose was the better of the choices. -I had no interest in his quirk."

"..." Toshinori shook his head. "You're even going as far as to claim All for One as your quirk now? Before it was his quirk."

Izuku felt himself bristle just a bit. "... I know you want One for All back." He decided to just jump right to the reason for this whole conversation. "Trust me. I want it gone to. You think I like seven nosy ghosts telling me what I can and can't do!"

"Not so loud, my boy-"

"I don't! I don't like that my sperm donor is now hunting me because this quirk is cursed on top of being haunted!" Izuku finished his yelling by brushing past Toshinori. "I can't help that I'm related to him. I can't help that Cujo looks like him. I can't help that we both share his quirk, because like it or not, Toshinori, I can also take quirks. And I can't help that I'm stuck with One for All. But you know what I can do-" Izuku spun around to face his mentor and everything he's been holding in was finally starting to come out. With his memories slowly returning- he just had to set the fucking record straight with Toshinori Yagi.

"I can move past all of that and keep living my life and be a goddamn hero with Cujo by my side! Despite what you think! Because guess, what, Toshinori! There's no such thing as a dangerous quirk! Just dangerous users!" Izuku felt his whole frame rock as he screamed this at his mentor. "That's what my dad taught me my whole life! Because guess what? Shouta Aizawa is my father! Not All for One! You're not the only one allowed to hate him- YOU WEREN'T THE ONLY ONE TO BE HURT BY HIM!" Tears fell down Izuku's cheeks as he and Cujo both yelled at the same time.

Then. Silence.

Only stunned silence from a shocked Toshinori Yagi.

Izuku took that as his cue to leave. He abruptly turned to leave and wiped his eyes on his sleeves. Suddenly his hand was grabbed. "Wait-" Toshinori breathed out. "-Just… wait, please… I… I guess I haven't been fair to Cujo these last couple of weeks."

"You think?" Cujo hissed and Izuku silenced him with a sharp. "Shush. Let him speak."

"I would like to continue helping you with One for All, if you'll let me. You're still at what?"

"Erm… god, I haven't thought about my percentage level since internships. I think I'm fourteen percent now? Not the greatest I know, but with Cujo I haven't been training…"

Toshinori sighed. "If you'll have me. I'm free after school today. I'll help you with training. Besides, you're going to need all the help you can get with what finals have planned."

"Hm. So, it's not fighting robots?" Izuku inquired with narrowed eyes.

"I said enough."

"Hm… well, lucky for you dad and Toshichan-" Izuku paused for a moment and cleared his throat. "Hichan. Dad and Hichan, are training everyday after school this week leading up to finals. So, yes. I'll happily accept any help you're willing to offer."

"Good. See you tonight."

'If it's not robots…then what are we fighting?' Izuku could only wonder as he watched Toshinori retreat to his office. He narrowed his eyes and then felt his mouth tick up into a smile. "Bring it" Both him and Cujo spoke at the same time.

Tuesday. Quirkless sparing.

Izuku and Hitoshi may have failed the quirk assessment test. But here. They were raised on quirkless sparing.

"Don't worry. I'll go easy." Sero grinned a toothy grin as he squatted down while he and Izuku circled one another. "Can't risk Cujo coming out, can I?"

"Oh, sweetheart." Izuku crooned in such a way that it made Sero pause. Izuku eyes were nearly glowing as he looked at Sero. "It's not Cujo you need to worry about."

Sero should have known from that sentence alone that he was in over his head. The moment the buzzer rung Izuku sprung. He went low sweeping his leg out so fast that he managed to knock Sero's feet from under him. Down Sero on his back. Immediately he managed to roll back up on to his feet. "Heh-" He didn't expect Izuku to ram his shoulder directly into his rib cage.

A loud gasp left Sero's mouth as all the air escaped his lungs. Then, while he was stunned, Izuku grabbed his right wrist and judo flipped Sero over his shoulder. Down Sero went eating the mat directly. Izuku straddled Sero's back once he was on the ground.

"Sero! You're out!" Mr. Aizawa called once the five seconds were up.

"...Not gonna lie… that's kinda hot." Sero looked up at Izuku, who was still on his back. Izuku playfully stuck his tongue out in response to that.

"Get better at sparring and I'll consider it." Was all Izuku had to say before he got off of Sero's back.

"Hagakure, you're out!" Came Mr. Aizawa's voice only a second later.

Izuku turned to see Hitoshi had Hagakure pinned between the mat and himself. He had her pinned by keeping one hand on her shoulder and the other hand had one of her arms exstended with her wrist (Izuku thinks) pointed downward in a painful looking wirstlock.

"You brute!" Hagakure whined once she was released. Hitoshi only grinned and then shrugged non-apologetically.

Yeah, when it came to quirkless sparring, the twins (yes, they still called themselves that despite what DNA may say.) rained supreme…expect against one person in 1-A.

"Aizawa H! You and me!" Ojiro came up against Hitoshi quickly, leaving his partner, Tokoyami, behind in the dust. Despite the challenging tone, Ojiro was smiling. Clearly, he, like Izuku and Hitoshi, wanted a challenge.

Ojiro had almost about as many years in martial arts as Izuku and Hitoshi had with Shouta. Almost. He had more training by just two years.

"Aight. Don't cry when I beat you." Hitoshi teased while raising his fists up once they were on the mat. "And remember, quirkless sparing. No tail."

Izuku rounded on Tokoyami. "Looks like you need a partner." He grinned while squatting down.

Tokoyami shut his eyes and Izuku was sure he saw tears. "May a lord of darkness hear my pleas…okay-"

"-No." Ojiro suddenly cut Tokoyami off. "I want a challenge. I need to push myself in my training. I want to fight both of you."

Now that got the classes attention. As well as Mr. Aizawa's. "You don't want to do that, kid. I'm telling you now. I trained both boys self-defense since they were six years old. They may not fight well when fighting one another, but fighting together? Forget it." Mr. Aizawa shook his head.

"...I want to. I have to for my own sake." Ojiro stated firmly.

Izuku walked up to the mat and then looked at his father. His father had that grin on his face. The one showing off his teeth. The one that nearly looked feral. "Are you sure?" A final warning for poor Ojiro.

"Yes."

"Don't say I didn't warn you. Boys-" Shouta nodded at his children. Giving them the go ahead.

Class 1-A didn't know what was creepier. The fact that neither brother had to speak to one another to come up with a plan. Or the fact that they were now mimicking their father's feral grin. It was like they waited their whole life for this singular moment. They stood next to one another and waited as the class crowded around the mat.

Ojiro got down in a fighting stance.

"Low, because I'm short." Izuku whispered so only Hitoshi heard.

"High, because I'm tall." Hitoshi finished.

Shouta blew the whistle and they charged.

Izuku rushed low like he was going to tackle Ojiro's middle while Hitoshi just stood there with his arms crossed. Ojiro saw Izuku coming and immediately tried to block by using a palm strike against Izuku's head. It was as he did this block did he realize just where this fight was going.

Hitoshi with his long legs charged with ease. Ojiro had no time to readjust his stance or defensive move and Hitoshi struck Ojiro directly in the chest. Ojiro gasped, but it wasn't over, not by a long shot. Izuku flipped himself backwards despite the palm strike to the head and caught Ojiro in the chin with his shoe.

Properly dazed, Hitoshi grabbed Ojiro's arm and pulled the his peer around. With a war cry, Hitoshi put his hand on the back of Ojiro's neck once close enough and threw Ojiro down on to the mat. Then, he pinned Ojiro down with his knee directly against Ojiro's spine. "You got greedy." Hitoshi whispered into Ojiro's ear.

"Ojiro's out!"

Ojiro slumped. "Damn. Oh well, next time I'll try just one of you. Lessoned learned." Hitoshi got off of him and dusted himself off.

"I know that move!" Ochako bounded over to Hitoshi happily. "Gunhead taught me that one too! It's a great move to use when someone has a weapon!"

"Mm-hm." Hitoshi grunted not really acknowledging her. Ochako's grin faltered as she wilted visibly. and Izuku did feel a little bad for her. "Good job, Zuchan." He and Hitoshi quickly exchanged high-fives as they passed one another.

Izuku walked up to Ochako. "So…Gunhead?" He asked granting her permission to continue. Ochako grinned broadly.

"Yeah! He taught me lots of cool things during internships…"

So, while thinking of finals. I almost wanted to put Izuku and Tokoyami together so Tokoyami could help Izuku/Cujo with control and then give Tsu to Bakugo and Hitoshi, again so they weren't a completely overpowered team. However, I felt it safer and easier to keep Izuku on his own for this for reasons that will be revealed during the next chapter when finals happen :)

Also the ending scene. I really wanted to make up for the quirk assessment test. If I would have written that now it would have been way different than what I gave. The reason why they failed despite Aizawa being their father was that I wanted to stick close to canon at the time….

Yeah. I've abandoned canon at this point lmao. Also, at the time when I write it I was… newish to MHA stories and didn't want them to come off as overpowered. So, I hope you take them beating everyone in quirkless sparring as my apology.