"You have more food, but not much in personal items. Nothing that's worth an equal trade for the trouble you caused me today." The pharmacist said; he reclined back against the counter, the tips of his finger shifting around the items from their pack in mild curiosity.

None of them spoke up to his comment, and Izuku was glad about it.

"Midoriya, can you read me?"

The whispered voice of Hatsume came through Izuku's earpiece. He knew their little spy was somewhere around the room, but the tiny bug was doing an excellent job of making itself scarce.

"Just give me a nod if you can." Hatsume signaled.

Izuku nodded while keeping his eye on the man in case he noticed. He appeared preoccupied with going through their things.

"You sure look to enjoy getting yourself into trouble, don't you?" Hatsume teased.

Izuku glared, his mouth dipping low into an annoyed scowl, unable to remind their pink-haired tech that this wasn't the time.

Her giggle came through, but he eased up when he picked up the subtle

edge of worry.

"It gets worse….. He's not alone. There's more of them, maybe five?…. They're, upstairs and I'm pretty sure they're waiting." She warned.

Izuku flinched his shoulders tensed at the news, which made Kacchan tighten. He gave Izuku a side-eye; his brows dipped low in question to his sudden tensing. Izuku shook his head, creating a slight gesture to his ear to let him know Hatsume was aware of the situation. Kacchan didn't make any notion that he understood, but he didn't move again as he starred ahead.

The man appeared relaxed because they outnumbered us.

They were at a disadvantage, and Izuku couldn't take risks with Chieko here.

"There isn't much, but what can I expect from three thieving brats? It's a miracle you even survived this long." The man commented.

"Like I said, we're sorry for breaking into your store. We weren't here to cause any trouble. We'll leave and never bother you again." Izuku said.

The man looked down at Izuku, his features harsh as if disappointed. "A simple apology is of no value boy, I need compensation."

He walked over to the entrance door, pointing out the broken lock. "You destroyed private property and now my store is open for anyone to come by and steal. "

"Tell him you can make his door even more secure." Hatsume's voice chimed in his ear; her voice excited as she went over a lock idea she could whip up in exchange.

"I can replace it!" Izuku said. "We have a hideout and we can make something to replace your security."

The man rubbed his palm against the pepper-colored scruff on his face as he considered Izuku's offer. He didn't voice it, but Izuku could tell the man looked intrigued.

"How will you make that for me?" The man asked.

Izuku clenched his fist in irritation, realizing his mistake, and tried to back peddle his voice, coming out in a nervous stutter. "I mean, it's just a lock we found in our travels. We may need to change it a bit, but I think you can use it to replace your broken lock."

"Hm, is that right…" The man didn't believe him. So Izuku stared back at the man in hopes he wouldn't question it. The man sighed before smiling at Izuku. "Alright, you got yourself a deal."

"Can we go now?" Kacchan grumbled.

"Well now, that is another story." The man said. "We may have settled my broken door, but there's still the damage and mess to my store."

"That's your own damn fault for shooting at us with no warning!" Kacchan yelled.

Izuku wanted to tell him to shut it. This wasn't the time to rile them up, but Kacchan didn't know the danger was lying up above them, and he couldn't risk giving away what he knew.

The man frowned, gazing at Kacchan the way a parent would look at a child throwing a tantrum. "You trespassed first; I had every right to defend my property."

"What about the food we found?" Izuku suggested. There needs to be enough for a few weeks. That has to amount to something."

The man moved closer before crouching down in front of Chieko; both he and Kacchan tensed at how he focused on their friend. The man grabbed Chieko's chin, lifting it high so that it forced her head back to what looked like an uncomfortable angle.

"How about you, darling? Do you have anything of value to exchange for my troubles?" The man asked.

Kacchan yelled at the man as he got up. "Get away from her!"

But no sooner was he on his feet when his body slammed forward to the ground.

"Kacchan!" Izuku yelled.

"What…. the….h. hell?" Kacchan groaned.

Kacchan did his best to lift his body but only raised himself by a few inches before slamming back down with a heavy thump. He tried again, keeping himself raised a bit in height, but the muscles of his arms bulged with the strain, sweat already beading up on the surface of his skin.

The store owner looked exasperated, though he didn't move from his spot as he called out to someone. "I thought I told you to stay hidden."

Another one appeared; he was younger than the pharmacist, his dark hair chopped and sloppy from possibly cutting it on his own. "Sorry, sorry, but you looked like you needed a hand."

The pharmacist ignored his partner and focused his attention back on Chieko. "How about it darling, you spend some time with me and you all can go home. I'll even let you leave with your food."

Izuku's blood boiled at his offer. That he would even consider propositioning her, his ears drowned out his words as he heard the heavy thump of his heart thrumming in response to his rising anger.

"How about it? It's a pretty generous offer, I think." He said.

"I.." Chieko said, but Izuku stepped in before she had the chance to answer him.

"No." Izuku said.

The man looked up past Chieko to make eye contact with Izuku, "I'll even keep our time to only thirty minutes."

"I said no." Izuku growled; he was doing his best to keep his anger in check; the last thing he needed was to lose control of One for All.

"Anything else, but Chieko stays out of this." Izuku ordered.

"Just let it go, Hachiro. They obviously don't want to share." The other man said. He had lifted himself to sit on the counter, his palm propped up on his knees as he leaned forward in amusement.

The man, Hachiro, shrugged as he conceded. He stood up, chuckling as he moved away from Chieko, giving her space. "It's a pity, but I can understand why."

Izuku gritted his teeth but stayed quiet and let them believe what they wanted. If it made them stop, so be it.

As the Hachiro moved to stand next to his partner, they released Kacchan from their quirk, making him fall over with a shout.

"Are you okay?" Izuku asked.

Kacchan sat on his knees to rest. Chieko scooted over as she wiped the sweat from his face with the handkerchief she kept in her pockets. Kacchan didn't push her away, but he glared at Izuku for worrying about him. "I'm fine…."

"I still expect compensation." Hachiro said.

"Let's just give him our generator." Denki's voice came through, his voice twitchy as if nervous. "I can keep things lit here until we find another one."

Hatsume's voice came through a second after in agreement. "That may work; I don't see any electricity running; they may not be willing to pass it up."

"We have a generator. Will that be enough?" Izuku suggested.

The two men perked at the offer of electricity. It didn't last long as their posture became wary of such a rare treasure the next second. The younger one spoke up. "Does it even work?"

"Tell them it's solar power. I can have it ready in a second." Hatsume stated. "It will take longer to charge, but it will be useable."

"It's Solar-powered, so it'll be helpful. And it works with no issues," Izuku offered. He was pushing his luck; Izuku knew he was. The lock and now a generator put them at risk. If Hachiro grew too curious about them, Izuku didn't see any other way of getting them out of there without fighting.

Hachiro looked at his friend, who nodded. At their silent agreement, the peppered-haired man turned to them with a smile as if they were his valued customers. "We agree with the exchange."

He did quick work packing their bags up against before handing them back. They kept the food they had found but had returned their items.

Izuku didn't relax as they stood to leave, and he was right to do so as the man grabbed Chieko's wrist, making both bots jump to either side of her.

"What are you doing?" Izuku asked.

Hachiro didn't let go as he eyed either both, his partner at once standing close by to aid if needed. "How will I know you'll come back? Someone needs to stay behind for collateral."

Izuku, upset, grabbed Chieko's arm, pulling her out of his grasp and towards him. "She's not staying here with you."

Hachiro grinned as he raised his hands in mock surrender. "I promise nothing will happen to her. That wasn't part of the arrangement. I merely suggested her because she looks to be the slowest one in your group."

"It's okay, Midoriya. I don't mind." Chieko tried to reassure. "He's not wrong, maybe it's best I stay behind."

"No! You're not staying." Izuku ordered.

"Damn straight, you're not staying here with these bastards. I'll stay behind instead." Kacchan said.

Izuku turned to the blonde, ready to protest his suggestion, but Kacchan leveled him with a familiar glare. "We're running out of daylight, idiot."

"He's not wrong. It's going to be dark soon if you don't hurry. It's way more dangerous after dark. The weirdos come out." The younger man teased.

"I don't honestly care who stays behind, either will do." Hachiro sighed.

Izuku glared at the older man even while standing several inches above him. "If anything happens to Kacchan, I'll make sure you'll regret it."

Hachiro raised his brow at him, his face amused as he crossed his arms. He grinned as he leaned forward. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in the blonde."

Izuku and Chieko headed out soon after that. The pace was nowhere as fast as Izuku needed it to be. As the sky grew darker, Izuku's frustration and anxiety mounted until he grabbed Chieko by the wrist, dragging her to keep up with him. His thoughts were racing at all the ways this could end.

"Midoriya… Midoriya please slowdown." Chieko pleaded.

Izuku didn't respond; he couldn't risk opening his mouth at this point. They needed to hurry so that he could leave her safe with the others and he could return to Kacchan.

"Midoriya!"

Chieko was struggling, her pace more of a stumbling mess behind him as she tried to stay on her feet. It was with the last pull she yanked her arm from his grasp

"Let go!" She yelled.

"We don't have time for this!" Izuku yelled back. "We can't slow down or it could be too late!"

"Then you should have just left me behind!" Chieko yelled.

Izuku reeled back his anger, hitting a point at her idiotic suggestion.

"Do you think I'd let you stay with those men? Do you even get what they were suggesting!" Izuku lashed out.

"I'm not stupid! And you don't get to decide for me!" Chieko yelled. "It was my choice to make, mine!"

Izuku didn't know what to say to her.

Chieko stood there, unwilling to look at him as she huffed to catch her breath while rubbing the blood back into her arm.

The sky grew darker around them, and Izuku shook his head, unwilling to think further on this.

"Let's just hurry, Kacchan's in danger if we wait any longer." Izuku said, his voice was absent of any anger, too drained to continue.

Chieko didn't respond as she rubbed at her face. Izuku wasn't sure if she was crying or not.

"It'll be faster if I use One for All." Izuku stated. He lifted Chieko, and she shouted in surprise as she did her best to wrap her arms around his neck for support.

Izuku couldn't worry about her feelings now. Later, when they were all safe again. When they were alone, he'd promise to speak with her again, but his only concern, for now, was getting Kacchan back.

Izuku activated One for All, careful to keep his thoughts in check, as he only allowed himself to focus on running to their base.