...

Shouta wasn't sure what to make of the place he had seen the kids go into. From the outside, it appeared to be a simple bar. No one even looked twice at it as they passed it on the streets. Yet he had seen his soulmate and Bakugo Katsuki walk into it.

Given that both kids were underage they shouldn't have even been allowed in. Shouta had expected to hear yelling and see them thrown out. Neither thing happened. The bar was as quiet as when they had entered. He would never admit it out loud but that worried him.

Tsukauchi had asked him to keep an eye on the kids. His friend had figured they would try something like this. Despite their parents being arrested just two days before. At least Bakugo's parents had been. Midoriya's mother had been arrested but Banks had been released. His questioning ended with all truthful answers. He hadn't even known Inko had a child much less that she abandoned him.

They realized and were forced to acknowledge that keeping the kids cooped up was a bad idea. Something that they had realized when they found out Inko had been preparing to run. When the adults went to pick their charges they found them unusually restless. It only got worse as time progressed.

Many of the children that had been staying with Tensei were being adopted. With each child that left for happy homes the need to do more grew in Bakugo and Midoriya. There was only so much one could do in the agency without supervision. So they agreed to let the boys wander as long as they kept their phones on. Heroes would take turns following them to ensure they stayed out of trouble.

The streets were still a dangerous place for Izuku and Bakugo. There were still those who remembered the vigilantes and the trouble they had caused. If they wanted to attack now would be the time.

Shouta was beginning to get worried about the kids staying in the bar. Unable to keep still he made his way to street level. Then he walked into the bar noting that it looked like a simple pool hall. Off to one side was Bakugo and Midoriya with a young man. If he had to guess the man was in his late teens or early twenties. Brown hair fell into easy-going blue eyes. In his hands was a deck of cards as he was trying to teach them a trick it seemed. At the actual bar was a short older man who was watching the proceedings with a fond smile. Beyond this, however, the bar was empty. Dead almost.

When he saw Shouta however the smile faded into a mask. A cough from the old man caught the others' attention. Three pairs of eyes swung to look at Shouta. Recognition flare in all three of them. This confused Shouta as he didn't recall coming across the man.

The man said as he stood and moved around the table to put himself between Shouta and the kids, "What can do for you, Mister?"

Shouta leaned back on his heels giving off a relaxed stance, "Aizawa. Shouta Aizawa. I was tasked with watching over the kids for the day."

Bakugo's red eyes flashed telling him exactly what he thought of having a babysitter. Izuku's face was oddly impassive, however. Every movement Shouta made was examined and judged. The boy's hands twitched at his sides as if he watched to grab something.

Bakugo questioned his voice hard with anger, "Why are you following us?"

Shouta folded his arms across his chest as he replied, "Because you are still in danger. Until the court proceedings are done we are being cautious."

Something had spooked the Bakugos and Inko. It had not been the police from what Shouta had seen in the reports. They all had the same question. What was more frightening than heroes and police? A villain?

Midoriya asked his brow furrowed in confusion, "Who would go after us? Our parents," the venom in his voice sent shivers down Shouta's spine, "Are in jail? Tsukauchi didn't say anything about a bounty or other kind of price on our heads."

Smart kid. Already he had figured out that if someone wanted them dead there would be a bounty. The underground was a dangerous place. There were those out there that would do anything for money. Even kill a pair of teenagers.

Shouta said truthfully, "There are many who would take a contract to kill you both. Not only because you were vigilantes though the police and heroes never officially released this. But because your parents have the money to make it worth someone's while. We are simply being cautious."

Bakugo and Midoriya exchanged a look before the blond snapped, "Bullshit. There is more than what you're saying. Lying to us isn't going to make us trust you anymore. In fact, it will make it worse when we figure it out for ourselves."

Shouta sighed. He should have known it would come to this. He should have stayed outside or called someone. Anything other than revealing that he was following them. Now they were suspicious and asking questions he couldn't answer.

Taking the easy way out he replied, "Ask your guardians. It's not my place to go into this. Especially in such," he glanced at the young man who had yet to move, "Questionable company."

Midoriya glared as he said, "I know more about Kaito than I know about you. If you're not going to be productive get out."

Shouta glanced around trying to find a supporter. It wasn't like he could talk about everything around strangers. Especially about confidential information such as the case on the Phantom Thieves. There were too many ears on that case, to begin with.

Unsurprising he didn't find a single supporter in the stoic faces around him. If anything they seemed more cut off than before. With a growl, he stalked out and found a place where he could watch the exit.

...

Once they were sure Eraserhead had left Kaito turned away from the door. A look was sent to Jii who locked it and stood by the door. Izuku's phone chose that moment to go off. Checking it made him pale and his hands shake. Giran couldn't have chosen a worst time to meet. With a hero waiting outside to follow them they couldn't get away to meet him.

Katsuki questioned noticing the way his hands shook, "What's wrong?"

Izuku eyed Kaito briefly before he said, "Uncle Gir and Blue Clues want to meet in an hour. Usual spot but we can't meet them with Eraser out there."

Jii said softly, "That would normally be true. However, this bar was built with a backway out. Only myself and Kaito know it."

Kaito said his face impassive, "Someone will need to play decoy though. I'm too tall to pass for either of you even at a distance. Jii can..."

But he couldn't fool Eraserhead for long. The man was a professional and would be quick to pick up the deception if it was only one of them. Izuku and Katsuki exchanged a look. Both were considering the options before them.

Out of the two of them, it would make more sense for Izuku to go. He had a better relationship with the two men. If Katsuki went he and Blue Clues would no doubt end up fighting. It was just how their personalities clashed. They were always fighting back when the other was a part of Lost Children.

Katsuki sighed, "We can act as the decoys while Kaito gets Izuku out the back way. If we stay in here though it should fool Eraserhead at least for a while."

As much as he hated splitting up it was the best plan. So he agreed though reluctantly and they got to work. Jii began to show Katsuki how they made their masks and Kaito led Izuku to the back.

It was past the spot they had gone to before. A single door that led to what he had assumed like so many others was just a storage room. It was even used as such boxes of supplies needed for a bar were everywhere. Behind one set of boxes though was an unfamiliar door.

There Kaito said, "Take a left when you exit this door. It will take you away from Eraserhead's line of sight. From there go meet your friends. Remember the most important trick of being a magician?"

Izuku schooled his expression as he said, "Of course. It's our poker face."

Kaito's face softened as he ruffled Izuku's hair, "Good. Don't ever forget it."