In a Den of Predators

by Butterfly-Muse

AU Harem Story. In order to make sure the Yuuei Dynasty's greatest power is passed down to the next generation, Crown Prince Izuku is being arranged to marry Momo Yaoyorozu and maybe a few other women as well just to ensure there are royal heirs...Now this would be fine if his rabbit animal spirit didn't fear the predatory animal spirits of his ever growing Imperial Harem...

4. Chapter IV - Modest Kitten

Chapter 4 – Modest Kitten

A hand pulled on a thick rope of white attached to a large bell. An average height young woman of eighteen, dressed in black with accents of orange and violet, bow her head in prayer, "I know that I don't study the scriptures as I should, but I've been a filial daughter all my life. I think I shouldn't get punished for asking for one prayer to get answered."

Kyouka Jirou opened her eyes, searching to see if anyone was around. It was kind of embarrassing to come here to pray for this particular thing and she didn't want anyone to hear. Some could consider it an insult that she dared to not see her fortune, "If there is some higher power, a god or my ancestors, then please spare me from the harem selection."

Clapping her hands three times, Jirou stood still for a moment and then let out a breath. It was done. She did it and now it was over. It was left up to fate if her prayers would get answered or not. Gods willing, she'll be overlooked and put this and her mild resentment towards her parents behind her.

She had been floored the night before during dinner when her old man decided to spring the news upon her…

Flashback

Kyouka had somehow managed the decency to swallow her food instead of coughing it up everywhere, "Excuse me, what!"

The bombay cat looked between her parents, Mika, a birman who sat silently eating and her father, Kyotoku a maine coon who looked determined to ruin her life, "Your mother and I thought it was best to send in a marriage of proposal for you to the empress for the prince."

Agitated black ears sat on her head and the ear jacks twisted in the same rhythm of her equally black tail, "Again, what?"

"We know you're in shock right now, buttercup-"

"Don't you buttercup me, dad!" Kyouka finally snapped. Her father flinching, ears and all, he did his best to hold himself up, determined not to give in. Mika looked like an exasperated queen at Kyouka's outburst, "And you just went along with his crazy plans?"

Her mother didn't answer right away, just sat there taking another spoonful, she smiled at Kyouka, "Give me a little credit, Kyouka. I gave it a lot of thought, we both talked about it and we both agreed to send the proposal."

A low cat growl emitted from Jirou, "I guess all that talk about letting me choose was a lie this whole time!"

Mika's ears did flatten at that but her outward expression didn't change much. She and Kyotoku looked towards each other, not saying anything then both looked back towards their daughter who was rightfully crossed with them.

"I don't get it; our family has never personally met her majesty. I never spoke to his highness!" Kyouka frowned, getting frustrated the more she tried to make sense of it all, "Our family isn't that high up that we could seek an audience with the royal family, and I doubt you two would ever use me as some chess piece to chase fame."

Both parents nodded, that was true. The Jirou household had no stakes in politics, keeping to the arts. Kyouka was at least grateful for small luck that her parents weren't doing this because they were suddenly status chasing. Sure she's heard of a great, great aunt who married into the royal family to one of the supposed ninth great grandsons of the fourth prince, the sixth child of Yuuei's founder and his empress. She also knows despite becoming the empress, this aunt didn't live long nor had any children. Kyouka also recalls her husband had multiple wives. She might not know the full story of how this aunt lived or how she and that particular emperor died together but she has a few guesses.

"Out of all the eligible bachelors in the capital, why send me to be a possible concubine instead of someone's legal wife?" Because Jirou knew without a doubt that if she's unlucky to be chosen, there was no way the empress is going to make some lower class noble girl, she and her son barely knew into a princess. Not when there are girls like Yaoyorozu around. Not that Jirou wanted to be a part of the prince's harem in the first place.

"Treat it as a precaution. You may not even be selected at all and after that your father and I will leave you alone."

Kyouka glared at her mother. Did she forget that Kyouka's quirk also allowed her the ability to know when someone's lying? "I can hear the deflection in your voice, out with it. Why did you two do this?"

Both parents looked at each other, it was like they had their own form of communication. An entire conversation was happening and Jirou wasn't privy to it. When they both turned back to look at her, it was her father who spoke, "I don't want you tomarrythatboy…"

Kyouka's hearing was beyond excellent but she didn't understand gibberish. She was over her parents' antics and took a bite of her food, "What was that?"

Unable to hold it in, Kyotoku yelled, "I think you could do better than that Kaminari boy!"

This time, Kyouka didn't care about decency and immediately coughed and threw up her meal, dark cat ear fluffed straight up to match her incredulous stare, "Denki?!"

"Yes, Kaminari! Buttercup that boy isn't as saintly as you might think!"

Jirou stared at her folks running hot and cold. Anger and being overwhelmed was all she could feel, "You set me up to possibly be one of many concubines to some boy neither of you knows because my old man doesn't want me to marry Denki?!"

Dark ears of the birman breed lowered at her daughter's voice, ear jacks twisting around in the air, "What your father is saying, we have nothing against Kaminari, he's, just not mature enough yet for marriage."

"Denki? Marriage? Wha-Me and Jamming Whey! Where are you two even getting this from?" Jirou wasn't looking to settle down and because she thought her parents were understanding and wouldn't assert their parental right to push for it, Kyouka thought she had all the time in the world to decide what she wanted to do with her own life.

Another silent conversation between the birman and maine coon went on and then her father addressed her, "We heard you were starting to like the Kaminari boy and I really wouldn't intervene for your future if I felt a hundred percent sure that boy would treat you right."

"No!" Kyouka denied it so vehemently, feeling her entire face light up. She was beyond embarrassed, "I don't like Jamming Whey!" At least she was sure she didn't harbor any feelings for the blond, "And even if I did, so what?" This was so unreal! Kyotoku and Mika looked at her, suddenly feeling remorseful that they might have acted rashly and screwed her over.

"That still would've been my choice! And now thanks to you two, I don't have a choice!"

Both parents decided to let her vent, not stopping her, "I never once thought of Kaminari that way but at least I know him. His highness? What if he's just as bad if not worse than the things you think of Kaminari?" Her parents didn't have cause to worry, she grew up fully aware of Kaminari's personality. Not once as far as she knew, has the badger ever made her heart skip a beat.

Kyouka inhaled than exhaled, standing up from the table, "I love you two, but I'm really upset right now. Let's hope her majesty gives my proposal a fleeting thought, maybe I'll be able to forgive you two then."

The black cat left her parents at the dining table. She tried to ignore them, but she could hear their whispers. She knew she could tune them out, she's learned how to control the level of sound she can hear. She was also curious, what were they so urgent to say to each other that they couldn't say in front of her? Turning a corner, Jirou stood quietly, inserting her ear jacks into the wall to listen.

"Perhaps we acted out of turn?" She heard her old man say. There was guilt in his voice.

It was silent minus the sound of utensils and then, "Kyouka will thank us later."
Both father and daughter blanched at Mika's very matter of fact tone. Kyouka just balled her fists, "I'm surprised to hear that coming from you." Jirou's thoughts exactly.

"I don't really agree with her becoming a concubine, if she's chosen," Mika fixed her glasses, looking pensive, "I don't mind either if she cannot forgive us. Frankly, you're right."

Kyotoku blinked at his wife, when it came to Jirou, Mika was less strict, often letting father and daughter banter back and forth with each other. Sometimes she would intervene if she thought Kyotoku was being a little much but her stance on this, surprised him.

She smiled, staring at the far wall where Kyouka stood and raised her voice, "Denki is a nice young man, but he'll give Kyouka trouble." Kyotoku raised an eyebrow at Mika who just continued to smile and then he looked towards the wall, catching on, "I rather curb her growing feelings for him now than let her have regrets later."

He also raised his voice, "She's right you know, I don't like giving her off to some kid we never met, prince or not. How do we know we aren't making things worse?" Jirou's father was sincere about his question. If his little girl's life became miserable because of what he and Mika did, forget Kyouka's forgiveness, he'll never forgive himself.

Mika gave her husband a secretive smile, "We aren't." She kissed him, standing up to leave the table without further explaining what she meant. The maine coon rubbed his hands against his head and ears troubled with being hated by his only child and feeling like he just lost hold of his rash plan by his wife.

Kyouka scowled, no longer hearing anything coming from the dining room, she removed her jacks from the wall and headed to her room. Jirou was always self-conscious about her looks, Kaminari and that weasel, Mineta poking fun at her didn't boost much self-esteem. Compared to other girls, like Yaoyorozu and her maid servant, Asui, or any of the other ladies Kaminari flirted with, it was easy to overlook her.

For the first time in her life, the bombay cat prayed that whatever portrait her parents sent into the empress for a marriage selection would be looked at with revulsion and set aside to be discarded…

Present

With one more ring of the bell, Kyouka turned away to leave, head down and almost bumped into Momo Yaoyorozu.

"Miss Kyouka?"

"Miss Momo!"

Momo greeted Kyouka, all smiles, "Good morning on this fine day!"

Jirou returned the greeting, "Morning, what brings you here?"

A sudden blush erupted on Yaoyorozu's cheeks and the girl's ears changed to those of a lion, "I have been coming here for two months now, every Wednesday, at the same hour."

Jirou raised an unenthusiastic brow at Momo's uncharacteristic behavior. It was almost like she could see hearts floating above the highborn's head. The happy movements of her ears and tail said a lot. Kyouka looked to Tsuyu for an answer about her lady's behavior, "Asui-chan?"

The frog girl greeted Kyouka respectfully, unable to stop her own smile as she watched Momo go about her business to pray, "Young miss is hoping for good news, kero."

With no other words said, Asui walked over, lighting up a few incense burners, and silently gave her own prayers alongside Yaoyorozu. Kyouka left them alone, heading out the room and making way for the front doors to the temple.

Jirou looked around for her self-proclaimed bodyguard and frowned, "Kaminari? Kaminari!" She bowed when one of the monks frowned at her for the noise, "Sorry, did you see a young man with blond hair, wearing black and white, might have showed off badger ears?"

"No, sorry miss."

"Thank you anyhow," Kyouka huffed. This is just like him to run off! Bodyguard my ass, I swear if I find him hanging out with Mineta again at the brothel house, I'm gonna pin his ass to the wall for good!

Kyouka figured she'll wait for Yaoyorozu to finish, she roamed about the front yard of the temple, taking in the scenery to pass the time.

Sweet Puppy

On the opposite side of the bustling capital, a brunette, wearing commoner's clothes in colors of pink and white, windowed shop, observing the wares and food stands set up on the sides of the streets. When something nice caught her eye, like the pretty rose pink jade bangles for sell, golden retriever ears flapped in delight and a dog tail wagged in sync.

Until Ochako Uraraka saw the price tags. Ears and tail flopping, "Everything is always so expensive in the city."

She shrugged, moving on with the rest of the crowd. It been so long since she visited, she was glad her parents allowed her to come as long as the Bakugou family decided to accommodate her stay with them. Being a family of fellow canines, Mitsuki and Masaru welcomed her to stay with them for as long as Ochako liked.

The only person to complain about it was Katsuki. He must have been more blasé than usual because all he said was, "Tch, if I have to babysit your ass, don't get in my fucking way, Round Cheeks! I already have to deal with Deku, Icy Hot and Glasses!" Before ignoring Mitsuki snarling and berating him for his rude behavior and going to his own quarters at the manor.

Ochako was fine exploring the capital by herself. She didn't need the explosive german shepherd to follow her around. Although, I might need him to get into the palace.

Her tail wagged, the natural blush in her cheeks darkening. It's been so many years since I met De-I mean Prince Izuku. I wonder if he remembers me?

He was her reason for coming. Whenever she came around with Katsuki and his followers, there was Izuku right along with them. Bakugou was never mean towards her, but he tolerated her, mainly because of auntie Mitsuki. Ochako, usually separated herself from Katsuki because she was bored half the time whenever they played games with him as the center of attention. It's why she never understood why a sweet kid like Izuku stuck around. The trio's interactions usually went the way of Katsuki trying to ditch Izuku somewhere, bully him and her trying to stop Katsuki from bullying Izuku. The ending results pretty much ended up with her taking Katsuki's punches and Izuku getting extra beat up after fighting Katsuki on her behalf, even though he lost all the time.

It was the thought that counted, besides, Ochako always got the last laugh when she showed up dirty, tear stained, and bruised in front of auntie Mitsuki. Suffice to say, Izuku's determination to stand up for her was admirable. It made her like him more. The days when her family's business was a little more stable, her best days had been when she followed Bakugou around to see Izuku. Trying to talk to him was an interesting challenge with no satisfying results, though he tried. The rabbit boy was an enigma, easy to fright at the closeness of predators, yet he stuck around someone hostile like Katsuki.

Seeing those two became harder as the years went on. When Izuku's family moved to the palace and her family were forced to move around a lot just so her parents could do what little carpentry work they could find to keep afloat. The sporadic moments when she could see Izuku at the palace, warmed her. He was still eccentric, and still couldn't put two sentences together the older they got, but it was nice to see, turning out to be royalty didn't change him. He was always kind to her, never looking down on her and she appreciated that a lot. It made her wish she could do something for him, she didn't know what but whenever she thought about him lately, her face got warm and-

"Oi! If you're gonna stand in the way like an idiot, do it somewhere else!"

Uraraka was shaken out of her daydream, brown eyes zeroing in on a tall guy that looked about her age with white-gray hair and shark like teeth, although her sense of smell detected he was an alligator, "Sorry about that!" she stepped aside allowing him to go about his day.

"He didn't have to be so rude about it," she watched 'Sleeveless Muscles' in the gray and black stomp down the street like a juvenile. Her stomach chose that moment to rumbled, "I better find a place to eat!"

"…Marriage proposal, it's unreal…"

"You too?"

An ear flapped up, she wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but the word 'marriage' had Ochako's stomach flutter and the image of an average height boy with green hair and freckles entered her mind. She saw two girls with a third who looked familiar walking in the opposite direction of the busy main street from her.

One had golden feline ears moving with content while the shorter girl retained her human features. Both of them were unaware of the curious eavesdropper, listening in on their conversation. Ochako busied herself with trying to look like she was interested at the things being showed off behind a random window shop glass. She smiled, seems like one of the lady's was happy about her marriage.

"If you hadn't, I would've been shocked. You're the only one I know close with his highness. That explains visiting the temple every week to pray."

"It's been an incredibly stressful two months of waiting to hear back from the palace. I'm still amazed your parents told you about it last night."

His highness? Deku! That raised alarm bells in Ochako who had to make sure her hands weren't touching anything. The duo had gotten close enough in their walk that she could hear everything.

"I'm still mad about that. All that fuss over Kaminari, as if I'll marry that flirt. What about you? Are you happy about the marriage selection for the prince?"

The snooping golden retriever might have moved subconsciously sideways to listen, bumping into another seller's wares of cheaply made hair ornaments. "Sorry, sorry! I'll buy something," she quickly picked up a plain steel hairpin with a white round orb at the end and dropped a few coins on the table.

"I am, I want to marry his highness…"

Ochako felt like the wind was knocked out of her. She must have activated her quirk on something out of sheer shock; maybe the ugly hairpin she wasted money on, but for the life of her, she didn't know what it was, and she couldn't bring herself to care. The resounding echo of Izuku Midoriya getting married hurt more than it should, "Deku is getting married?"

Unable to let it go, Ochako turned around to see the nicely dressed girls walk by her, unaware of the inner turmoil they caused. She didn't move, what would going over there to talk to them do? She could tell by their clothes and the way strangers paid them a form of respect, they were nobles. They didn't know her and were not obligated to answer any of her inquiries about Deku. Giving up for now, Ochako made to carry on with her business until she spotted a petite girl with dark green hair fashioned into a cute bow, following behind the two.

"Tsu-chan? Hey!"

Tsuyu, Momo and Kyouka turned around to see a girl in pink waving their way. Tsuyu stared at the girl another minute more until she recognized the familiar face, "Ochako-chan?"

Ochako, putting her feelings aside for the time being, took that as her cue to walk over, hugging Tsuyu who returned it, "I haven't seen you in ages!" Ears and tail showing her happiness to see Asui.

Asui patted the energetic pup on the back, "It's good to see you too Ochako-chan, kero!"

Momo smiled pleasantly, curious about Tsuyu's friend while Kyouka looked on, interested, jacks twirling, "You know this person, Tsu-chan?"

Tsuyu nodded once Uraraka finally let go, "She's a friend from my old town. Lady Yaoyorozu, Lady Jirou, this is Miss Ochako Uraraka. Ochako-chan, this is my young mistress, Momo Yaoyorozu and her friend, Lady Kyouka Jirou, kero."

Ochako took in the two women, the words; elegant, demure, and opulence came to mind. The taller girl in the fancy green dress had pretty hair ornaments that Ochako had never owned a day in her life. The other one, closer to her height was less dolled up, only wearing a small flower hair clip, though Ochako could tell the dark dress she wore cost a fortune.

She bowed towards Momo and Kyouka, feeling a little embarrassed and under dressed, "It-it's nice to meet you!"

The two girls greeted her back, giving her a less prominent bow, "The pleasure is ours!"

"Yea, don't sweat it."

Silence between the quartet filled the air surrounding them even as life moved with activity around them. Ochako kept staring between Momo who politely smiled and Kyouka who twirled her ear jack on a finger. Asui looked between the trio, an air of uncertainty was building between the canine and the two felines. Ears on all three were alert, tails looking on guard.

Momo and Kyouka weren't great conversationalists to begin with. Out of habit from her upbringing, Momo tried to be polite to others she didn't know well, although the air around her can come off as snobbish to those he didn't know her well. Whereas Kyouka was used to keeping to herself. It's been years so maybe she had it wrong but Ochako never had a problem striking up a chat with strangers. She wondered idly if this demeanor had something to do with the old adage of cats vs dogs? Whatever it was, the maid servant could feel herself getting uncomfortable.

Before Tsuyu could say something about the awkward tension, Momo spoke up, "It looks like Miss Uraraka would like to catch up with Tsu-chan. Miss Jirou and I will be waiting for you, over at that teahouse when you're done with your business, Tsu-chan."

Tsuyu bowed to the young women as they left. The tension dropped and she saw Ochako's body relax, "That felt intense!"

"It felt awkward, kero. Does that normally happen with you around other felines?"

Uraraka rubbed the back of her head, awkwardly laughing, "You know, if it has, I've never noticed!"

Asui looked at Ochako with an air of nonchalance, watching Ochako's cheeks burn, "We can talk some more in that restaurant, kero."

Both girls walked inside the small shop. There was nothing fancy about the place so Ochako knew she had more than enough money to buy some food. Finding a vacant wooden table, they sat down. A waiter came over and took their orders.

"You want to explain to me what that was back there?"

The waiter came back with a cup of water for Tsuyu and green tea for Ochako who played with the rim of the brown saucer the teacup sat on, "What was what?"

"Ochako-chan."

"It was nothing, really, Tsu-chan! Just slight nerves, that's all," nervousness, and feeling inadequate, embarrassment, envy…none of which was Yaoyorozu's fault. Nor Jirou's but her inner canine felt threatened at the really pretty lioness for reasons she couldn't name. Maybe there was something about her being a feline that made Uraraka antsy?

"You're going to burn your hand, kero."

Ochako jumped, moving her hand just in time from her spilled tea. Her face lit up from embarrassment, luckily there was hardly anyone in the small diner who saw, except for Tsuyu and the workers.

"Nothing at all, kero," Tsuyu questioned, a finger on her chin. "If you don't want to tell me that's fine. Work out whatever is going on with you before meeting the young mistress and Lady Jirou again, kero."

Asui paused once the waiter left after bringing Ochako a new cup of green tea and a bowl of miso soup and steamed rice, "Both ladies are nice and polite but for your sake, you don't want to unintentionally provoke Lady Yaoyorozu. She's very well known here, and people will immediately take her side over someone they don't know well if an altercation broke out."

Ochako listened while she filled her stomach, "Maybe it's best if I don't meet your mistress and her friend right now," the canine wasn't thrilled about the things she felt around both, Yaoyorozu especially. She didn't want to start off on the wrong foot with friends of a friend.

"Anyway!" the auburn haired girl shouted excited, "I gotta ask, how did you end up Lady Yaoyorozu's maid? Your family used to be well off."

Tsuyu took a sip of her water, "After we moved, there was a fire incident involving a lot of my father's stock. Some of the ships went missing and no one could solve if criminals seized the ships or if it was an unfortunate accident. We fell on hard times, kero."

"I'm so sorry to hear that Tsu-chan," Ochako knew the feeling of living in a family where their business did just enough to make a living, "I should've tried contacting you, after you moved!"

"It's alright, I didn't think my family would have a proper roof over our heads to live after what happened, kero. Thankfully the Yaoyorozu family was generous to take us in. I think Lord Yaoyorozu knew my dad and that's why we started living with them. I've been the young mistress' loyal servant ever since, kero."

Ochako swallowed some more rice before asking, "Does she treat you well?"

Both girls ignored the bite in Uraraka's tone. The canine continued to chew her food and Tsuyu looked at her old friend questioningly, "Young mistress is very kind! She's an only child so she treats me and my younger siblings like her own, kero."

Ochako could tell, Yaoyorozu was kind. Hell, it was easy to see that by Asui's clothes, expensive. The lily hairpin Asui uses to keep her hair bow in place? Elegant. It seemed whatever Momo received, she shared equally with Tsuyu, like an older sister who cared.

The frog girl smiled before drinking more of her water, "If all goes well, she'll marry the crown prince! I can be granted a recommendation for the royal academy next year, kero!"

An empty rice bowl made a loud echo, after falling from Ochako's raised hands onto the table. Asui was glad her friend didn't break anything or almost burn herself; she gave the canine a worried look. Ochako put her chopstick down, ears drooping, "I see…That's great Tsu-chan! I'm glad to hear Lady Yaoyorozu treats you well and is pushing you to pursue your dreams!"

"You may be happy for me, kero but you sound really sad."

Ochako's eyes got big, she waved her arms, "Ah! Oh! No! I'm really happy for you no doubt! You always wanted to be part of the royal guard. Have you been practicing?"

"I've been training since we were young, kero. Lady Yaoyorozu trains with me as well, she might not be practicing to join the army but she's no slouch."

"You don't say?" That dainty miss was just perfect, wasn't she? All that food Ochako ate, unsettled her stomach, "Of course someone pretty like that isn't going to join the army because she's being selected to marry the prince…" Uraraka felt her cheeks warm again, realizing she said that loud enough for Tsuyu to hear.

Tsuyu cocked her head to the side, "Do you want to talk about what's eating you now?"

The girl sighed, biting her lips, and decided to go all in, "How well do they know each other?"

When Tsuyu looked at her to elaborate, a pitiful whine escaped Ochako, "Your young miss and the prince, how well do they know each other?"

"Young miss has met with his highness quite a lot, she's known him a little bit longer than I have, although I think he's nice on the surface, he seems…out of sorts whenever in my lady's presence, kero."

"I see," Ochako stared at her empty food bowls, looking despondent.

"The news of Miss Yaoyorozu's marriage proposal to the prince is upsetting you, kero."

Ochako realized she was making whining noises, "I-I suppose it does." Ochako blinked, a realization dawning on her that she wasn't ready to handle. More than that, she wasn't ready to dissect that with Asui who had a knack for bluntly attacking a matter head on if she's keen to it. Plastering on a smile, she stood up, "I should head back to where I'm staying!"

"Are you sure you're going to be alright?"

"I'll survive!" Ochako laughed awkwardly once more, "It was nice seeing you again, Tsu-chan!"

Ochako bowed and waved to her friend, going to the cashier on duty and paying for her meal. Once done she hurried back out into the streets, feeling released of the tense energy in the diner. If Asui felt her rushed leave rude she'll see her later to apologize now that it would be easy to find the Yaoyorozu residence.

All she wanted to do right now was return to the Bakugou manor and lay down in her guest room to wash away the sudden fatigue the morning brought on with the news of her crush having an arranged marriage, "Oh, so that's why I suddenly feel melancholy."

Ochako moved along with the crowd in a daze, not caring that she was in someone's way or not. Seems a friendship formed of five years with a girl close to equal standing trumps the sporadic interactions she's had with Izuku this whole time.

I have a crush on Deku. The more that thought set in her head the more real it became, and she couldn't deny her feelings. Somewhere along the way her admiration turned into something more and now she couldn't do anything with it.

Be a concubine? Oh sure, that would work out great! Be a low ranked mistress who had to listen to the whims of a princess who will have power over the harem. And then what, Ochako? Hope she or any other girls 'aren't' jealous control freaks? Izuku would treat everyone fairly but there was nothing to say of whomever else became his wives. Is that really what you want for yourself?

These thoughts of hers were daunting and she wanted to put them behind her. She also wanted to get home faster so she transformed into her animal spirit. Ochako felt the wind tease her golden fur and she jogged on four legs, maneuvering her way through the busy street, the minute she found a clearing she shot off into a run, not planning on stopping until she was in front of the Bakugou residence.

When she finally got to the gates of the Bakugou residence, Ochako returned to her human form. It surprised her to see Mitsuki standing there in her usual colors of lilac and white, waiting for her return. Blonde hair made up in a fancy mess of wild spikes and hair pins.

"Auntie Mitsuki?"

"We got a little worry about you. If Katsuki were here, I would've sent that mutt to go fetch you!"

"It's okay! A lot hasn't changed from five years ago, so I was fine getting around and I only stayed to the main road! I wasn't gone for that long!"

Mitsuki wrapped the girl into a shoulder hug, bringing Ochako to the main house, "That son of mine needs to learn to be hospitable. Instead, he finds any excuse to stay up in that palace to 'train' and doesn't come home for days!"

"Auntie it's fine really! I don't wanna bother Bakugou!" She escaped out of the woman's strong grip, trying her best to escape to her room so she could sulk and maybe-

"Your face smells like tears Ochako-chan."

"Huh?" The auburn haired girl touched her face to find tears near her eyes. Mitsuki grew quiet, staring. "Oh…Oh! It's nothing! It was a little windy today! And deciding to take that quick run in my spirit form must have made my eyes water without realizing!"

The golden retriever squirmed under the german shepherds' disbelieving gaze, "You're a terrible liar."

Ochako felt Mitsuki pat her shoulders, "It's your business but you know Masaru and I are here if you need to talk."

Ochako said nothing for a long time, then one tear fell, then another, a third, a fourth and then she hugged Mitsuki and the dam broke.

Jade Rabbit

Izuku opened his eyes, he was staring at the never ending tile patterns on his mother's bedroom ceiling. Dark brown with splashes of color that matched her phoenix form. He turned his head, green eyes staring back at worried green eyes.

"Izuku?" There was a cascade of feathers falling everywhere. His mother's anxiety was on the fritz, she kept tearing away at her dress sleeve with sharp fingernails.

"If you keep that up, you're not going to have any plumage left," he tried to move and groaned, laying back down, "Why is the back of my head sore?"

"You fell sweetheart and you were out of it for a few hours," seeing as her son was cracking jokes, she relaxed. The feathers finally stopped falling. She looked down to see enough had gathered at her feet to make a fan. Maybe she'll keep some of them for decorative purposes before burning up the rest later.

"Oh yea," that would have his mother freaked out. Remembering why he unceremoniously passed out, he gave out a dry chuckle, "A harem, because the future of this dynasty actually depends on it," he took his time to sit up, looking at his mother who stared back in concern. It was just the two of them in her room, it was safe to assume she made her maids leave them in peace. She tried offering him some tea that she had kept warm for him, but he declined.

Inko fiddled with her long sleeves, looking worried, she made up her mind, but if her son truly felt uncomfortable, than that was that and she'll start again, "I'm going to tell you again Izuku, if-if having an imperial harem with young women with predatory spirits makes you uncomfortable, we can try to find girls who won't upset your anxiety."

"I already gave my answer," Izuku does his best not to fidget, already feeling his face want to burst into flame. Besides, "I want to…I do want my bride to be someone I know…" it could also be the tiny part of him that wants to be selfish. He hasn't put his feelings concerning the lady of house Yaoyorozu into proper context yet, but he can't deny his feelings towards her these days have evolved beyond mere friendship.

A small part of him is hopeful as foolish as it sounds, maybe she did…he looks at his mother with a eager smile, "Did-did anything come with her marriage proposal?"

Inko looked at him, eyebrow raised, "As far as what?"

Izuku almost looks scared to ask but pushes on, heart beating that maybe, Yaoyorozu was feeling the same things as he was, "A hairpin?" Black rabbit ears rose, displaying his emotions out in the open.

She's always said her parents would let her choose for herself. Marriages are a serious matter and it's a rarity for parents to allow their children liberties when it comes to securing their own future.

It felt like the longest minute of his life, waiting for his mother to answer him. Momo told him once in order to show the one she wanted to marry it's her choice, she would return a gift given to her by that man. Izuku doesn't want to get his hopes up, he can't deny if Momo returned one of the hairpins he made for her in a set, he'll be elated. A camilla with peach blossoms or a rose with peach blossoms, it didn't matter.

The petite phoenix feels herself about to chew her bottom lip. Izuku looks so hopeful, she's certain her son cares for the girl, they have been childhood friends after all but she wonders if her son has actual feelings for the girl beyond cordiality and fear, "No, there wasn't anything of the sort."

His face crumbled, his ears sagging, a forced smile, pretends to be unhurt at the revelation, "W-well…I know the chancellor arranged all this but-I mean…has her parents ever talked of other suitors?"

A girl like Lady Yaoyorozu was bound to get many offers. He's sure there's guys out there she likes. A dependable young master, like Todoroki-kun. Todoroki is very much a perfect match for someone like her.

For one, Todoroki can talk to her without running away like a complete spaz. Izuku ignores the unease he feels in his stomach. If, and it's a big if there's someone else he'll leave this alone, find another bride and hope his mother isn't disappointed.

He feels small unblemished hands squeeze his own. Green looks back at green and his mother gives him a reassuring smile, "It is hard to believe but no. All the times I've talked to them, nothing of the sort has ever come up and even with Lord Nezu putting this together, they wrote how honored they feel for considering their daughter."

"Then my answer remains the same, I'll marry Lady Yaoyorozu." Izuku continued before his mother could speak, "I'm not changing my mind mom. If it's the blessing of our parents, then I'll do it."

He returns his mother's smile, ignoring the erratic thumping of his own heart, "With that taken care of, what are the plans concerning the imperial harem?"

"I decided to start small, I didn't want to bombard you all at once with multiple women," Inko went back to tearing away at her dress sleeve, watching her son's face for his reaction, "I picked two women."

Izuku could see his mother getting nervous and sighed, he recalled his mother's question about having a concubine with a cat for a spirit, "So the hypothetical wasn't a hypothetical…who?"

"Lady Kyouka Jirou," she tried to smile, passing along a purple scroll to Izuku who unrolled it to see what she looked like, "Her family are affluential in the arts."

"I've heard of her, Lady Yaoyorozu talks about her a lot, they seem to be close," dark hair with a tint of violet cascaded down one shoulder. Purple flowers clipped to one side and dressed in a black furisode; created the image of a young woman sat playing the guzheng. She's quite pretty, the dark colors really make her stand out. Izuku did his best to derail the blush in his cheeks, "You chose her because of her familiarity with Lady Yaoyorozu."

Inko nodded her head, "A friend of Lady Yaoyorozu can't be all bad, again it's up to you Izuku."

Another predator did make him nervous. Marrying Momo made him nervous though he was trying not to show it. The kitten and any other women after were going to be complete strangers to him, so it didn't matter really who his mother chose. At least with Momo here, he hopes Lady Jirou won't feel alone, "Imperial Concubine for Lady Jirou should be fine, right?"

"I can't see anyone making a fuss about it," Inko looked concerned, "It's not a consort position but it's still the highest on the concubine level."

Izuku hummed thoughtful, "I don't want to offend the lady…my only wish is that this harem ranking system doesn't cause trouble. Let's…let us see how they react."

Inko nodded, they had to be confident, she told the ministers last night where they can stuff their opinions concerning her son's harem. If anyone complains, they'll deal with it when it happens, "The second young woman, concerns keeping the relations between Yuuei and Ketsubutsu in good faith," a light blue scroll was placed in his hands, "Lady Tatami Nakagame, she was made an honorary princess by the king of Ketsubutsu."

The portrait of a young woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a smiling face stared back at him. She dressed in pink and light blue colors, looking much like the title she was given, a seal symbolizing a turtle, met his gaze and he chuckled, giving the scroll back to his mother, "At least this one's not a predator. An honorary princess, I hope the king of Ketsubutsu won't be offended if I make her a Noble Consort."

"It should appease them," his mother went a little stoned face, before looking at him, smiling, "I give them points for being brazen. The real test is seeing if they are willing to break a centuries long alliance in regards to the honorary princess."

Izuku studied his mother a little, not used to her sounding…well, sounding like she refused to be other's doormat. Maybe feeling affronted as well, he didn't like the underlying…threat? Is that what this is, make this Lady Nakagame your princess or else?

"Izuku you're mumbling, and yes, it's what I think as well."

Izuku's flustered, but glad he and his mother are on the same page, "As long as we welcome Lady Nakagame, there'll be no trouble. I made up my mind. The only question now, when do I marry each of them?"

"The highest honor will have to go to Lady Yaoyorozu, she's your princess consort. You'll marry her first and after she's settled in, Lady Jirou and Lady Nakagame will enter the palace."

"Let's do that then," Izuku stood up, rubbing his mother's shoulders in a placating manner, "I'll leave you alone, I-" squeezing her shoulders one last time, he let go, not sure what to feel, "I need to think, that's all."

Izuku left his mother to go back to his own quarters. All of this felt surreal, it should not have come as a shock but suddenly gaining three wives didn't lessen his astonishment of the situation. Out of the three, the noble girl from Ketsubutsu was a wildcard. He might have sounded sure to his mother who agreed with the title that will be bestowed upon her once he married her but he still sort of panicked. I'm already bracing for the fallout over the noble consort title. I'm not removing Lady Yaoyorozu from being my princess but I know someone is going to throw a fit over this.

It was quite bold, a reminder that once again, people held concerns about his mother's 'leadership'. They are trying to undermine my mother's position . Damn it, what reason would Ketsubutsu risk breaking our alliance? It doesn't make any sense. Are there really rumors going about my mother's performance as empress? Maybe I'll consult the secretariat.

He inwardly cringed, Premier Hyoudai would probably question his reasons for not making the Nakagame girl princess, just to avoid the risk of Ketsubutsu breaking their alliance with Yuuei. Then there was his mother, already stressed out as it is, who didn't need another court official challenging her about how she's in fact making sure nobody is trying to challenge power away from her and Izuku. On second thought, talking to Lord Aizawa and the others might be better.

Izuku paused in mid step, the air felt suddenly cool, the unnatural drop in temperature could only be the result of an ice quirk. Izuku looked ahead of him to see Shouto Todoroki approaching him with a callous look on his face, "To-Todoroki-kun!"

Shouto Todoroki was a bodyguard and soldier in training of few words. He stood shorter than Izuku, Bakugou and Iida but he was a formidable fighter, blessed with the tiger for a strong animal spirit and a strong dual elemental quirk. Hair in a high ponytail and always wearing white with some accents of blue, and with a powerful family background, Todoroki was considered the perfect man. The most sought after bachelor in all of Yuuei. There was no competing with that.

Shouto paused, heterochromatic eyes staring daggers at the prince who involuntarily made to side-step out of the soldier in training's way. That action just made the slightly shorter young man glare at Izuku before remembering his place and bowing low, however he couldn't stop from asking, "Are you marrying Lady Yaoyorozu?"

Izuku stared at the two-toned haired male in shock, "What!" How did word move around so fast?

Shouto coolly stared at Izuku like he was an idiot and spoke slowly, hoping Izuku would comprehend what was being said this time, "Apologies your highness. But are you, marrying the Yaoyorozu heiress?"

"Yes."

Shouto nodded, looking away from Izuku who stood sweating before looking back at him, "Then I'm happy for you and for her as well."

"Y-you are?" Izuku had a hard time believing that. Lady Yaoyorozu was close with Todoroki.

Shouto smirked, making the prince nervous, "Yes, in fact I am very grateful and relieved, however," and the frigid look was back, "I want to set the record straight your highness. You may be my responsibility, but I have never cared enough to inquire about your hang ups. This issue you have with your spirit animal; not my problem, but it'll soon be Lady Yaoyorozu's."

Todoroki raised an eyebrow at Izuku's frown. That's odd, "She's a sweet girl and no matter what her spiritual animal is, she doesn't need the headache of putting up with a husband that runs away every time she tries to say hello. If I can be frank with you, she'll be better off with someone else, the least you can do is try working on yourself."

Izuku looked away from Todoroki, grimacing before looking him in the eyes with determination, "You don't have to tell me, I know I'm not great husband material and you're right Todoroki-kun! I do have to get it together, but I can promise you, you don't have to worry about Lady Yaoyorozu! When she becomes my bride, I will take care of her!"

Shouto looked almost surprised, was the prince, challenging her over Miss Yaoyorozu? It didn't matter, she came to validate what she heard and now she was done, "That remains to be seen."

Before either person could say another word, Shouto walked away, leaving the dazed prince standing in the middle of the empress' courtyard. What the hell was that back there? You're never been this rude before. The fire and ice quirk user shook her head, frowning.

It had to be all this talk of arranged marriages getting to her. The missive she gotten from her father yesterday gave her no right to take her anger out on the prince. Truthfully speaking, she was out of line for her behavior back there. If Prince Izuku were less weak and more assertive, she'll probably be punished. Then again because he was a bit pathetic, she took advantage of that to bruise whatever little self-worth he has. What does Miss Yaoyorozu see in you?

Shouto knew he wasn't her enemy and at the same time, she couldn't help but see him as the target that could end everything she's strived for if the Lieutenant General got his way. At least this time, 'he' didn't come home. The last time the tiger had to see her father, was almost two months ago when he came to her then, pushing her to marry the prince once more, saying how much their family would benefit. How much he would advance. Endeavor even got her some lousy gold hairpin. Shouto scoffed at how her father didn't know her at all, she wasn't fond of roses, and she wondered what the hell a rose hairpin had to do with his imperial highness? She wanted to toss the gift away but instead put it in a place she would never have to see it and hopefully forget about it.

There was also the matter of keeping up the illusion of being a boy. She really wasn't trying to hide that she was female from anyone, unless their name happened to be His Imperial Highness, Izuku Midoriya. As time went on, it was just easier to keep up the charade. Less issues to deal with, like the other cadets treating her differently. Bakugou was probably the only individual who didn't differentiate between male or female when it came to anyone challenging him. Going around, dressed up, and hiding her scent to seem like a boy wasn't hurting anyone, most of all, her majesty knew of her secret and kept her promise not to tell her son.

Having seen what he's like around girls, especially girls like her, Todoroki was not in any rush to compromise herself nor her goals for her father's own selfishness.

Just thinking about that letter made her angry.

Shouto,

I have been lenient in allowing you to continue your childish means of rebellion. It's high time you stop masquerading around as a boy and honor your family. Marriage to his imperial highness will greatly bring merit to the Todoroki name.

By talking with her majesty, you have the best chance at grabbing onto the opportunity to become the princess consort before the heiress of the Yaoyorozu family.

Attached with this letter is a hairpin. I'm not well versed in what's popular with the young people, but I've heard giving this to the prince will make you his bride.

Don't disappoint me, Shouto,

Lieutenant General Endeavor

Maybe tonight when she went home to that empty, unloving estate, she'll find the means to burn that damn letter. Maybe her old man will finally get her to use his quirk after all.