Chapter 19

Bakugou and Miwako found a quiet corner of the train and sat down. She pulled out a blanket with pictures of ramen all over them and draped it across their laps. "So what do you want to do?" She asked.

"I want to fucking fight villains already, but this train is too damn slow!"

She rolled her eyes. "Seriously? We'll be under the directives of the number 4 hero soon and you already want to work?"

He glared at her. "I need to get stronger, I don't have time to sit around and do nothing." She mulled over his words, "You know that the biggest thing holding you back is your inability to see past your anger during a fight."

"I can fucking handle my anger just fine!" He shouted which just proved her point. She raised her eyebrow at him and gave him a pointed look. "Fuck off." He crossed his arms and turned away. Rolling her eyes and pulling his face back toward her, "Do you want to work on it while we're on the train?" she asked.

He reluctantly nodded his head and she drew him into her mind. Kurama was sitting before them with a wide smirk on his face. She gestured over to him and said. "We'll start off small. Kurama will be insulting you and it is your job not to react."

Kurama was howling in amusement. He was itching to tear Bakugou's pride apart. Bakugou glared at him, tilting his chin up. "Do your worst, you furry mongrel."

Miwako walked to the nearest tree and sat down, making herself comfortable. Kurama started off small, just mocking his dreams of becoming a hero, but then he hit the jackpot the second he brought up Midoriya.

"Don't talk to me about that damn nerd!" Bakugou yelled, positioning his hands as if he was going to see off a few of his explosions.

"Katsuki, you failed! Try again." She said, causing Bakugou to scream.

The peculiar training continued on until Miwako felt like they were in there long enough. By the end of the session, Bakugou's lip was bleeding from biting down on it so hard to keep him from yelling curses at Kurama. She got up from her position and gestured for Kurama to stop. "Alright, time to go. You did great Katsuki."

"Bring him back again underling, this is the most fun I've had in a long time." Kurama said.

Now that training was done, Bakugou could finally release his pent-up rage. "I'll kill you, you sad excuse for a demon. I'm going to skin you alive and turn you into a rug I can wipe my dirty boots on."

"Okay! That's enough of that I think." Miwako said as she pulled them both out of her mind. They groaned as they felt how stiff their muscles became sitting still for so long. They stretched as Miwako looked out the window to see if she could figure out where they are.

"I'll kill you too if we missed our stop," Bakugou growled.

The PA system of the train announced the next stop as Tokyo. She turned back to him and pointed at the speaker. "We didn't miss it."

They gathered their belongings and got ready to depart the train. As they entered Genius Office, the sidekicks met them first and brought them to the dressing rooms to change into their hero uniforms. They were then brought to stand before Best Jeanist.

He spoke to Bakugou first, "I watched you during the sports festival. You have an outstanding grasp on your quirk, good enough to be a sidekick, however, you have a fatal flaw. You believe yourself to be the strongest, and you have no qualms showing it, not caring how you come across to others. You have a ferocious nature."

Bakugou stiffened up in anger, about to take a step forward when a hand grasped his shoulder. He looked to his side and saw Miwako shaking her head silently. Turning back to Best Jeanist, "I don't plan on putting up a damn show for the cameras, I'm gonna be 100% me." he growled out.

Best Jeanist raised an eyebrow at that. He expected Bakugou to try and attack him outright. Seems as though something has changed since then he thought as his eyes quickly glanced over at Miwako. "I admire your steadfast will, but it is my job to refine how you carry yourself, the way you speak, the way you dress. There is much to do in so little time." He said.

Miwako tilted her head in confusion. "Then what am I doing here?"

Best Jeanist shifted his gaze to her. "You're here because I saw the connection between you two during your fight."

Bakugou and Miwako glanced at each other, connection? they thought.

"Heroes being in a relationship isn't uncommon. We tend to want to be with other heroes because we can understand each other. You both need to be guided on how to navigate the trials of duty before love, making sure not to let your relationship interfere with work." Best Jeanist said as the duo had a look of embarrassment on their faces.

"Umm, sir, Katsuki and I aren't dating," Miwako said.

Best Jeanist just blinked at the pair before coughing into his hand. "Well, it doesn't matter. You both will learn what it means to be in the spotlight. Let's get started."

He led them both to a different room and sat Bakugou down on a chair. He whipped out a comb and other hair products and tried putting his hair into a side part. Miwako snickered into her hand as Bakugou visibly got angrier as each second passed. "I told you you would regret it."

"Shut your mouth!" He screamed before Best Jeanist smacked the back of his head. "We don't talk like that to ladies." the number 4 hero admonished before readjusting his head.

"She's the farthest thing from a damn lady." Bakugou spat, remembering how she scarfed down her ramen, and how she slept spread like a starfish and drooling when he wasn't there. It was disgustingly endearing. His hair spiked back up at that moment and Miwako fell to the floor laughing.

It was finally her turn to sit in the chair. "Is this how you always wear your hair?" Jeanist asked.

"No, if my hair is being cooperative I do something different or I have my dads do it." she said and Bakugou scrunched his face in confusion. "Dads? Since when did your old man start dating?"

She laughed. "He isn't, I'm talking about Aizawa-sensei. His contact name is Dadzawa on my phone. He's actually really good at doing braids even though his hair always looks like a rat's nest."

"You're close to your sensei then." Jeanist said as he put the finishing touches on their hair. He took down her pigtails and braided two pieces of hair on the side of her face before bringing it back to form a bun, creating a half-up-half-down look.

"Yeah, he's actually my godfather."

"Interesting, I didn't realize Eraser Head was that close to someone."

"We don't parade that fact around. Katsuki's the only one that knows in the class."

"How long have you both known each other?"

Bakugou scowled from where he stood, "How is that any of your business?"

Miwako glared at him as she got up from the chair. "Katsuki, don't be so rude."

"Hmph."

She rolled her eyes at him. Everyone in the room was staring at the pair wondering why they said they weren't dating because from their perspective they clearly were. "About 2 years now," she answered.

Best Jeanist nodded and then began his lecture on proper etiquette and attitude when in the public eye. His speech lasted for over an hour and during that time Miwako had the luxury of Kurama's presence so she could just tune him out, but poor Bakugou had no one to talk to.

They were dismissed for the day after that since it was getting later in the evening and they were shown to their rooms. They shocked the sidekicks again when they both just walked into one of the rooms and shut the door.

Bakugou threw himself onto the bed and screamed into the comforters. She sat next to him patting his back. "There there."

"This is bullshit. I want to fuckin' leave." he growled.

Miwako sighed and pulled him up. "Let's get ready for bed and then I'll show you a few new moves from my past that you can study and try out in my mind space. I'll even show you a few jutsus to see if you could get inspiration from them. How does that sound?"

"Don't treat me like a kid!" He shouted but hastened his steps into the shower. While he was in there, she took the time to write down a few weight seals. Each of them weighed 5 pounds, one for each wrist and ankle.

"What's that?" He asked as he towel-dried his hair. "Weights." She said as she fixed them onto the right places. "Train even while you're not training."

"These are light as shit." he complained and she just scoffed at him. "Trust me they won't feel that way for long. Every two weeks we will add more in increments of 2. Only take them off when you shower or if you are in real danger."

The next day was spent similarly to the first. Best Jeanist would give them a long lecture and then ask for their responses for different scenarios to test whether they were actually listening and understanding his words or not. He even brought up more lectures on relationships and how it could affect their work as heroes.

All the talk about couples and love had Bakugou feeling disgusted, but at the same time brought questions that he didn't want to answer at the moment. He knew that he enjoyed Miwako's presence, not that he would ever admit that out loud. He knew that he felt better when she was near him than if she was too far away. He started to notice his unconscious behavior around her. He held the door for her, got her food, did her hair occasionally if she was complaining about it, and even got irritated when her attention wasn't on him. All of this was sending alarm bells through his mind that he refused to acknowledge.

Miwako was experiencing similar thoughts as him. What would it be like if they actually started to date? How would their relationship change? Would it be for the better or worse? She thought that they were both close enough that if they ever ended up trying and it didn't work out, they could still go back to being close friends, but then again she had no experience with relationships. They both sat in a daze as they half listened as they were caught up in their own inner monologues.

They were snapped out of it when Best Jeanist dismissed them and Bakugou was in an even worse mood that night. He was about to ask to go into her mind again, but then the news playing on the TV interrupted him. They watched as Nomu's converged onto Hosu city. Miwako quickly formed several hand signs and clones of her appeared, but this time new and improved. A blood clone that could take on damage without immediately popping.

"What are you doing?" Bakugou asked.

"I need to send Ghost out there to help evacuate and protect the civilians." She said as her clone jumped out of the window. Their phones both buzzed at that moment and it was a mass text from Midoriya, sending coordinates. She had a feeling where the coordinates would lead to and her suspicions were confirmed by the GPS.

They both rushed to find Best Jeanist so they could go out and help. However, he refused. "No, you both aren't ready and would slow us down."

Miwako put a hand on Bakugou's chest to pull him back before he exploded. "Our friend is there right now and I can get all of us there in less than a second."

Best Jeanist narrowed his eyes on her. "What do you mean? How?"

"He has my mark on him, which means I can teleport to his side instantly. He sent out his location and it's in Hosu, please let us go." She begged

"You can take all of us along with my sidekicks." He reiterated and she nodded. "Yes, it wouldn't be a problem for me."

Best Jeanist thought for a second then nodded. "Fine then, but you both have to stay within my sights and follow my commands. You have permission to use your quirks but you cannot go off on your own, am I clear?"

They nodded and she told everyone to grab a part of her arm. "Hold on tight." She said as their surroundings blurred and changed instantly. They were all in front of an alleyway, screams ringing through the night and she saw the Hero Killer about to pierce Ida with his sword.

She shouted to get his attention as she threw a kunai to get him away from her classmates and appeared before him, wielding her tanto to block his attack. Best Jeanist commanded his sidekicks to spread out and help the injured while he stayed there and tried to apprehend Stain.

Miwako picked Ida up and appeared by Bakugou's side. "Bakugou, Kitsune, protect your classmates as I deal with him." Best Jeanist said as he stepped between them and Stain.

"No way I wanna fight!" Bakugou tried to step forward, hands at the ready when thread pulled him back.

"Don't forget what I said back at the agency." Jeanist warned, "You are under my command, step out of line and there will be consequences."

"Don't let him get your blood Best Jeanist, he can paralyze you once he's tasted it." Midoriya warned from his crumpled position on the ground.

The number 4 hero nodded and tried using his quirk on Stain's clothing to restrain him, but he just cut right through it making a dash right at them when a figure jumped down from the roof and kicked him back. Ghost stood with her katana in hand, pointing at Stain. "Why is it always you children?" she asked in exhaustion.

Stain was quite happy at her arrival. "Ghost, it's a pleasure." He admired how she came in and helped the civilians and left without a fuss, someone that just does what's right without the attention, the fame, or the money.

"I thought you only killed corrupt heroes Stain. Why attack these kids?"

"That one with glasses behind you, he's going to add to the pollution of society. He's not worthy of being a hero." Stain spat out as he charged forward again, clashing blades with Ghost.

"That's just it, of course he's not worthy of being a hero now. He's a child, they are meant to make mistakes at this age. You can't fault him for that." She contested.

He said nothing more as they continued to fight while Best Jeanist did his best to restrain Stain's movements as much as possible while also helping other citizens around them get to safety. His attention was split in too many different directions to be of much help to Ghost. Ghost was finally able to get an opening on him and knocked him out temporarily. Best Jeanist quickly bound his arms tight to his body, restricting even the tiniest of movements.

"Time for me to go." Ghost said as she made a peace sign and poofed away. Midoriya gaped at where she stood, highly disappointed she didn't stay longer so he could ask her questions. The other pros rounded the corner and spotted the group.

Miwako ignored them in favor of patching up her classmates, already done with Ida. She was working on Midoriya when a screech echoed through the air. She only had a split second to push Midoriya out of the way when talons ripped through her sides and carried her away. She screamed in both pain and surprise as her body was yanked into the air, the onlookers frozen in shock.

The only one that was able to move was Bakugou who sprang into action the second she shouted. His explosion propelled him into the air as he landed on Nomu's back. He placed his hands on its head and let off the biggest explosion he could, completely frying its brain. "DIE!"

It started falling from the air and he quickly grabbed hold of Miwako and used smaller blasts to ease them to the ground. She held her open wounds as the blood dripped through her fingers. In the chaos, Stain was somehow able to escape his bindings, now standing tall, with his face in full view. The killing intent he exerted had their blood run cold in fear. All but Bakugou and Miwako were affected. No one moved even after Stain fell over, Bakugou's voice was what snapped them out of their stupor. "The hell is wrong with you people? Get him back in fucking chains and get the damn ambulance she's bleeding out over here!"

That kickstarted a flurry of movements as they quickly made their way to the hospital. Bakugou stayed by her side the entire time. Once she got stitches, she tried to discharge herself but the staff won't let her. "I heal fast, I don't need to stay in the hospital." She said, trying to get past the nurse.

"I insist you stay for the night at least for monitoring. You lost quite a lot of blood and we need to make sure the wounds inflicted by that monster don't get infected."

"She said she didn't want to say for fucks sake." Bakugou said. He knew how well Kurama could heal her.

"Bakugou," Best Jeanist admonished, "the nurse is right. The wound is deep so it's best that she rests here."

"Call Recovery Girl then, she's my primary doctor. She can tell you I don't need to stay." Miwako really hated the hospital. The fluorescent lights were too bright and the smell of disinfectants irritated her nose

The nurse huffed in annoyance and turned away to do just that. Not even five minutes later and the nurse begrudgingly handed her the discharge papers. Miwako happily signed herself out and left to go back to the agency but not before saying goodbye to the other three stuck at the hospital.

Bakugou had to help her wash her hair that night since her injuries made it hard for her to lift her arms without pulling on the stitches. The next day Best Jeanist had them do an easy patrol while teaching them why regular patrols were necessary.

"Patrols are meant to deter villains from committing crimes but there's a second reason, do you know what it is?" Jeanist asked.

"To beat up villains right away!'

"No, Miwako do you have a guess?"

She thought about it for a second. Remembering her time in the hidden village. If a child was missing, civilians knew they could ask for a Hyuga's help which they could identify quickly with their unique eye color. If people needed help with their pets they could always go to the Inuzuka's who had distinct triangle markings on their faces. "So they know who we are?" She said in a more questioning fashion.

"That is correct. It builds trust between heroes and the public." Best Jeanist said as he waved to fans

"Hey, I saw that guy on TV." A nasally voice said from behind the trio. "He got caught by a villain once. He looked like he was about to cry."

Bakugou's hair exploded out of his side part as he turned around. "What did you say?!"

Tears welled up in the children's eyes as they were scared by his anger. Miwako punched the back of Bakugou's head as her hair flew up. "Katsuki Bakugou, that is not how you speak to kids!" her demeanor did a complete 180 as she knelt in front of them. "Hey I'm sorry about him, but what you said was really mean. What would you do if a villain caught you and you couldn't breathe, wouldn't you be scared too?"

The children sniffled and nodded their heads solemnly. She gave them a kind smile and patted their heads. "It's okay, that's what we are here for after all, so you don't have to go through that. Next time, be more careful with your words, it could really hurt someone."

"Yes, miss…?" They looked at her wanting to know her name. "Oh sorry I didn't introduce myself, I'm Kitsune." She said.

"Yes, Kitsune." They chimed and then turned to Bakugou and bowed. "I'm sorry I made fun of you." The child in the middle said as his two friends made apologies of their own. "We're sorry we laughed sir."

She stood behind them, giving Bakugou a pointed look. He sighed and spoke with a frown on his face. "Apologies accepted or whatever."

Miwako beamed and then patted the children on the shoulder. "Alright kids, we have to go now. Stay safe and remember what I said today."

They all nodded at her before looking back at Bakugou. "Your girlfriend's really cool." They said before running off. "She's not my…" He gave up before finishing the sentence. The kids were too far away to hear him anyway. However, as Miwako walked past him to continue on their patrol, he gazed at her with a contemplative look on his face, one which Best Jeanist didn't miss.

AN: I'm not dead just overworked lol. A little update on my life after graduating, I got a new job at an urgent care and boy is it hectic. Pretty awful that we see so many sick patients. Remember that flu season in coming up people! I'm also studying for my GRE and have to apply for 2 more classes since I'm changing my future goals. UGH if only I realized that I want to be a physician's assistant instead of an MD in college this could have been avoided. Anyway, welcome to all my new readers! Comments are greatly appreciated for feedback on my writing, good or bad as long as you're respectful. I hope this new chapter makes up for the month I didn't post.