...

Dawn was just break and Naomasa was exhausted. He and the others had spent most of the night searching for Izuku. Katsuki had called them idiots for their careless words. That Naomasa deserved any repercussions he received from the event. To make matters worse he refused to help in the search.

If he was honest he didn't blame the teenager. He shouldn't have hesitated when faced with the question. He certainly shouldn't have implied that he didn't want to adopt Izuku. The problem was he did want to adopt the child. It was just that he was afraid of rejection. A rejection he inadvertently gave Izuku.

All of their efforts had come up empty even going to the bar from before. The old man who owned it glared at them and refused to answer any questions. Without proof that he had done anything they were forced to leave. Even searching the old hideout of the Lost Children hadn't brought up anything.

Now they had nowhere but the streets to look. As morning came they had to call off the search. It was obvious that Izuku wherever he was didn't want to be found. It hurt Naomasa to realize what a mistake he had made. In trying not to hurt Izuku he had hurt him far worse than if he had just told the truth.

Regret filled him as he entered his apartment. He tossed his coat onto the back of a chair. His body screamed at him that he needed to sleep. No matter what his body wanted though he knew he would not sleep easily. Not until Izuku returned home. Not until he could apologize and explain what he meant.

...

Izuku tossed a ball up in the air before snatching it. Currently he was laying on a couch in a nice apartment owned by Kaito. The thief had given him a place to stay after he ran away from Tsukauchi's apartment. Curiosity had flared in the blue eyes when he picked Izuku up but he didn't question him. He knew that when he was ready he would talk.

The biggest regret about his leaving was Aiden. His partner was still Katsuki and he couldn't go back. If he wanted to get his partner back it would have go be done carefully. He'd have to figure out a way to get a message to Katsuki without using a phone. Without the chance of his message being intercepted.

As much as he would rather not wait he would need to wait. Aiden was an easily recognizable with his silver wings. If he wanted to stay away from Tsukauchi then he would have to be careful.

At that thought he caught the ball. Behind him were the footsteps of Kaito. Tilting his head back he found Kaito standing with a file in his hands.

Curiosity got the better of Izuku, "What are you reading?"

"Information on a job," replied the man absently, "A department store owner is going to try and fake my appearance on Christmas Eve. Jii thinks it will be a good chance to remind people that Phantom Thieves cannot be faked."

Interest sparked in him, "Can I help?"

Kaito blinked at him in surprise. Then a grin crossed his face, "King of Thieves indeed. Alright here look this over and tell me what you think."

Izuku took the offered file as he sat up. On the front of the was a fat old man with only small spots of hairs. The company was a department store. One that sold many kinds of merchandise. It's most expensive piece was a jeweled star that was only brought out for the Christmas Season.

There were several helicopters in the man's employee. If he was going to fake a Kaitou Kid appearance that was how he was going to do it. Most likely it would be done in the final moments of Christmas Eve.

"Your mind is certainly not something to brush aside," came Kaito's amused voice as Izuku blinked at him in question, "You were mumbling. In just minutes you figured out exactly what was going to happen. So if it was you, what would you do?"

Izuku replied, "If I was alone I would fade into the crowd. Kid always draws a crowd whether he goes. However if I had a group with me I'd have them do the scouting. They can also act as back up if things go wrong. Such as having them with their own costumes. This will confuse chaser and make escape easier."

Izuku paused to consider the building plans before pointing to the two windows that would allow easy access to the tree, "I would think that owner would be here. So in order to get to the star you should exit from here. Whether alone or with a group you should set up smoke bombs around the tree. Small explosives with smoke could work as well. From there you would appear on top of the tree with the star and give one of your cheesy lines."

"My lines are not cheesy!"

Izuku laughed easily, "Oh yes they are. I've looked up some videos of your other heists. You give a whole new meaning to cheesy."

Kaito lunged for him and Izuku flinched minutely. That had Kaito pausing and giving him an uncertain look. Now Izuku wouldn't meet his eyes. He knew! He did! That Kaito wouldn't hurt him but it was still a gut reaction to flinch from startling movements.

"I'm sorry," apologized the man sincerely.

Izuku simply said, "It's fine. I know you won't hurt me."

"Instincts still control you. Don't worry about it. Now do you want to help with the Heist?"

"Really?!"