Waiting outside, he could feel adrenaline pumping through his veins. Jin wanted to run into the building and save Neneko. The longer he had to wait, the more anxious he began to feel. Giran told him to stay there until he called to give him the okay to enter.

He leaned against the wall, his mask in his hands. His head felt like it was splitting apart already and it only got worse with each rapid beat of his heart. She needs my help. What if we don't get to her in time? She can handle herself! She's a strong, independent lady! She could still get hurt!

A hand pressed at the side of his head, teeth gritted as sweat collected along his hairline. Jin imagined her door behind surrounded and busted open. He imagined her getting attacked and instantly remembered the night they had met. The cut on her cheek. The men that had trapped her in that alley.

"I can't let that happen again…" he murmured. Jin lifted his mask and was about to put it on when Giran called him. "Yeah?"

"Okay so I have some new details. It looks like I might've underestimated the situation-"

"We've gotta save her! Nah! This sounds pretty bad!"

"Right. I figured you'd say that. There's a big guy that they left in front of her door. Might wanna make a double or something to help you out."

A double? Jin stared down at his mask again, his eyes narrowing. He had only been with the League of Villains for a little while. He only had the measurements for two of the other members memorized. Tightening his grip on the mask, he nodded to himself. "Okay…I'll do that."

"I'm taking the main entrance as a decoy. You head in through the maintenance door as soon as you get that double made."

He was about to use his quirk, but then grimaced and bowed his head. Rubbing lightly over his scar, he inhaled shakily. "What about you? Are you gonna be okay? If they go after you-"

"Don't worry about me." He paused and when he spoke again, his tone indicated that he was more amused than frightened. "You focus on clearing the way for your soulmate, Bubaigawara."

Right…right! I can do this! I have to…put on my mask, though so I can hold myself together. Jin drew it down over his face and felt instant relief wash over him. The splitting pain subsided and he looked up to the sky, trying to remember which level Neneko was on in case he could see her windows, but realized he was on the wrong side of the building for her windows.

His only options for a double were Dabi or Compress. Since it was close quarters in the stairway, he knew that Dabi would be a bad choice. He wanted to save Neneko; not burn the building down. Besides, Dabi liked "Mystic". Shaking his head, he knew he had to make a double of Compress instead.

"So what exactly are we doing?" the other masked man inquired.

"We've gotta save the princess!" He gave him a thumbs up that received a simple head tilt in response. "We've gotta save the princess! Let's go! Or not! I don't need your help!" He waved his arms frantically in his excitement and frustration at Compress's lack of understanding.

"A princess? You want me to help you rescue a woman?"

"That's right! She's the cutest, sweetest girl ever! Get your butt in there and start clearing a path for her!"

Compress tugged his hat down a bit more and shrugged to himself. "I guess you're not giving me a choice."

"Hell no! Hey, it's cool! Only help if you wanna!"

"I'm going, I'm going." Compress opened the maintenance door and entered ahead of him.

Shift P.O.V

The apartment door was blocked by the muscled yakuza member currently curled up in a ball on her floor. Neneko took a step back, her pulse racing and her throat still burning from raising her voice. She kept her eyes focused on him as she tried to decide what to do next. Staying in her apartment was out of the question.

This man…is very strong. Wild. An asset to the Shie Hassaikai. They know that I lack physical strength. They believe that I'm quirk-less. They could have easily left a lesser underling, but they left Rappa as a threat. He was meant to intimidate me so I would be too afraid to leave the apartment. That can be the only reason for them to leave someone like him. Otherwise…this is overkill.

She knew that she had to keep Rappa weakened. At least long enough for her to get the blade hidden beneath the table in the meeting room. Thankfully, she had the foresight to close her cat in her bedroom before trying to flee the apartment.

Unfortunately, the man's will was quite strong. He muttered something, too quietly for her to hear, and then slammed his fists against the floor. A guttural roar was released, making Neneko jolt backwards. She lifted a trembling hand to her mouth as he turned his head toward her.

"You little-! You're not supposed to have a quirk! What the hell did you do to me?!" He surged forward and grabbed her arm, swinging her into the wall with force. A large hand covered her mouth from behind and he pinned her right arm against her back. "They told me this was gonna be an easy job! "Just guard Kuroiwa for a week. She's quirk-less. She's just a translator." Tch. They didn't even suspect it, did they? You've got some kind of strength-sapping quirk, don't you? You're just a squeaky little mouse!"

Neneko's eyes closed as she tried to remain calm. Her arm was already beginning to ache and her breathing was restricted by his hand. I must stay calm so I can find a way to escape. What are his intentions? He knows of my quirk. If I can get free, I can scream and…hopefully it will be enough to stop him for a while.

Cruel laughter came from the man behind her. "I wonder what they're gonna do to you when I tell them your secret! I bet they're gonna have your mouth stitched up! Or maybe they'll get you a muzzle!"

She stayed still, knowing that if she fought against him it would only cause him to hold tighter. The harsh impact with the wall had opened a wound above her left eyebrow. There was a trickle of warmth running along her cheek, over her scar. If I'm unable to get away…what will happen to me? What are their plans? And Jin…I must get to him! I have to protect him from them!

"Let's try this again, Kuoriowa. I'm gonna take you into this room over here. You're not gonna say a peep, got it? I see your mouth open and I'll take you out. You understand?"

The translator gave a nod and soon found herself being hauled into the meeting room. Rappa pushed her down onto one of the couches and settled himself comfortably on the other. In all honesty, Neneko could not have asked for a better place to be if she intended to escape now. She watched him, waiting for just the right moment.

Shift P.O.V

Jin was out of breath and exhausted after fighting his way up the stairs to her floor. At least his mask was keeping him from feeling like he would split apart. He opened the door slowly and peeked into the hallway. There was no sign of Giran, which instantly made him fear for the man's safety. Turning to the Compress double, he saw him tilt his head.

"I'm gonna go save the princess! You look for Giran, got it? Or do whatever you want! I don't care!"

"I'll find Giran," Compress agreed. He set off down the hall toward the elevator area, leaving Jin behind to rescue Neneko.

His heart was beating out of control now, even with the mask on. Excitement. Fear. He worried about what sort of condition she was in. As Jin got to her door, he found it unlocked. In that instant, he felt panic rising up. "Neneko! Hey, Neneko! Your hero's here to save you! Yeah! I love hide and seek!"

The door was pushed open and he entered swiftly. There was blood on the wall in the little hallway, at about head height. His heart started to sink as he ventured further into the apartment.

Frantic meowing was coming from down the hall, behind her bedroom door. He made a quick mental note to return for the cat once he knew where Neneko was. The meeting room door was open and he heard a quiet mumbling from within.

Jin reached the doorway and froze. Trembling hands lifted to pull his mask off and he crossed the room faster than he had ever moved before. He wrapped both arms around Neneko's shaking form and pulled her against his chest. "Neneko…come on. We have to get out of here."

He was wary of the volume of his voice due to the heavily muscled man curled up in the corner. The man that was currently hugging himself and mumbling in despair. The man that was bleeding profusely from a number of cuts and stab wounds.

Neneko dropped the bloody knife she was holding and wrapped her arms around Jin's neck. "…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" she whispered. Her tears wetted the side of his neck and something smeared against his cheek. Something wet and smelling faintly metallic.

The villain gently carried her out of the room, closing the door. He told her to go get the cat and whatever she needed. As he stood there, Jin felt a tightness in his chest. Tears burned at the corners of his eyes and he gritted his teeth in outrage and sorrow. When she had pulled away to leave, he had seen her face.

There was a gash above her left eyebrow and it had spilled blood down that side of her face, crimson against her porcelain skin. The blood he had seen in the hall was hers. When she looked into his eyes, there was so much pain reflected in her sharp violet gaze. Her voice had sounded hoarse, as if she had been crying.

Why didn't I come sooner?! She got hurt again and I couldn't do anything! I did my best and that's all that matters! That wasn't my best! If I did my best, she wouldn't be bleeding like that! He held his head with both hands, fingertips digging at his scalp. The splitting pain was starting to return and he sank to his knees on the floor of the hallway.

His moment of despair was shattered by a pair of arms wrapping around him. Jin tensed, his eyes widening. When he looked over at Neneko, he felt his pulse skip a beat. A blissful warmth ran through his entire being and he gently held her, afraid of causing her any further pain.

Neneko's hand lifted and she ran her fingers through his hair, comforting him. It was almost enough to make him forget about the various bruises and scrapes he had acquired fighting his way up the maintenance stairs. The translator's soft voice gave him reassurance. "Jin…thank you for coming for me…"

He held her a little tighter, the tears from earlier escaping and running down his cheeks. Before she could potentially see him cry, he pulled his mask down and scooped her up in his arms. "Okay! Let's get out of here and go somewhere more private! Ugh! I'm exhausted!"

"Ah…just a moment. My belongings…I need to-"

"I got 'em." Giran stepped in through the door and gave them a sheepish half-grin. He lifted the cat carrier and slung Neneko's bag over his shoulder. "I recommend the maintenance stairs. The double's dead so we don't have to worry about him. How much of a mess did you leave, Bubaigawara?"

Shift P.O.V

Neneko was fading in and out of consciousness throughout the journey down the stairs. She clung to Jin with what strength she had, but it was a struggle just to keep her eyes opened. She had used her quirk three more times to try to keep Rappa weak enough for her to escape, but he had found his motivation again over and over. He was too much of a brute to stay weakened for long.

Their actual physical fight had nearly finished her off. Neneko knew her ribs were bruised and she would be lucky if none of them of them were broken. The man never hit her, but she had been tossed around like a ragdoll. Her limbs ached, her chest hurt when she breathed, and her throat felt like it was on fire, but at least she was alive.

Jin is alive, too. She looked up at his masked face as he burst through the maintenance door and out into the grey afternoon. Storm clouds were gathering overhead as he let Giran lead the way down the alley. Neneko gently trailed her fingertips along his cheek through his mask, attempting a weak smile.

His head tilted downward to look at her and his eye markings seemed to indicate he was smiling back at her. "Don't worry, Neneko! I'll get you somewhere safe! We're going wherever Giran says!"

She blinked slowly and shifted her gaze to Giran, who was briskly walking ahead of them with the cat carrier. Thankfully, the cat was silent. Closing her eyes again, Neneko let her head fall against Jin's chest. I know what I must do now. I will not enjoy it, but…at least we're closer now.

Licking her lips, she tasted blood and winced. "Jin, I…am so glad that you are alright. I wanted to tell you in person…properly…I love you. When I heard that the yakuza knew about our relationship…I…"

"Awww! I love you, too! We're soulmates so of course we love each other! And I'm gonna do whatever it takes to protect you! As long as it doesn't hurt!"