The sun was beginning its descent over the horizon, casting an amber glow over the dense forest. Uraraka, Deku, Katsuki, and Rosie had been tracking the group of orcs for hours now, following their crude tracks through the underbrush as they made their way along the highroad. Reports from nearby towns spoke of merchants being ambushed, their caravans looted and burned. The few survivors spoke of savage orcs—ruthless and efficient.

They'd taken the job.

As they reached a small clearing, Uraraka raised her hand, signaling for the group to stop. She knelt to the ground, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings. "They're close," she whispered, her voice barely a breath on the wind. Her ranger abilities allowed her to track the movements of animals and people with exceptional precision, and right now, her senses were on high alert.

"What do you see?" Deku asked, moving to her side, his green eyes flicking back and forth between her and the forest.

"There are birds nearby," Uraraka replied, her eyes narrowing as she focused on a small flock of crows perched in the trees just ahead. "I can ask them what they've seen."

Katsuki crossed his arms, leaning against a tree with a skeptical scowl. "Birds? You're gonna ask a bunch of damn birds for help? This is ridiculous."

Rosie gave Katsuki a playful elbow in the side. "Give her a chance, Katsuki. Uraraka's abilities have been helpful so far, haven't they?"

"Tch," Katsuki grumbled, but he didn't argue further, his crimson eyes watching as Uraraka stepped forward and raised her hands towards the crows.

Uraraka closed her eyes, reaching out with her ranger magic, focusing on the connection she had with the natural world around her. Slowly, the birds responded. A soft rustling of wings filled the air as the crows flapped down from the branches, circling above her before landing nearby, their dark eyes fixating on the group.

"They've seen the orcs," Uraraka said softly, her eyes still closed. "They're in a camp about a mile ahead, just past the riverbank. There are at least ten of them… and they're sleeping."

"Perfect," Katsuki said, a dangerous grin spreading across his face as he cracked his knuckles. "We'll catch them off guard. Burn the bastards before they even know what hit them."

Deku nodded in agreement, his hand already glowing with magical energy. "We'll have the element of surprise."

Rosie, however, rested her hand on her bow, glancing at Uraraka. "Did the crows say anything about traps? Or are the orcs just careless?"

Uraraka opened her eyes and shook her head. "No traps. They seem overconfident, maybe even a bit lazy."

Rosie smiled. "Then let's take advantage of that."

The group moved in silence, their footsteps carefully placed to avoid making noise as they approached the riverbank. They could hear the faint snores of the orcs drifting through the trees as they got closer, and the smell of charred wood and rotting food filled the air. The orcs had made a makeshift camp, their crude weapons and looted goods scattered carelessly around them.

Katsuki crouched down, peering through the bushes at the sleeping orcs. "Ten of them. This'll be over quick."

Rosie nocked an arrow, her eyes scanning the camp. "We strike all at once. If we're lucky, they won't even have time to react."

Deku whispered a spell under his breath, his fingers sparking with green energy. "I'll take out the ones on the far left. Rosie, you aim for the archers. Katsuki, you keep them from running."

"On it," Katsuki muttered, already preparing to unleash his explosive ability.

Rosie turned to Uraraka, who had her staff at the ready. "Keep an eye out for any stragglers," she whispered. "If they break for the woods, take them down."

Uraraka nodded, her eyes sharp and focused. "Got it."

With everyone in position, Rosie pulled back her bowstring, her target already lined up. The orcs were snoring, oblivious to the danger creeping up on them. She let her arrow fly.

The arrow struck true, piercing the throat of an orc archer before it could even wake. At the same moment, Deku's magic erupted, sending a blast of green energy toward the group on the far left, throwing three of them back into the dirt, their bodies convulsing as the magic hit them hard.

Katsuki wasted no time. With a growl, he shot forward, his hands igniting as he hurled explosive blasts around the camp. Flames erupted in a wide circle around the orcs, cutting off any route of escape. The ground shook as his explosions went off, trapping the remaining orcs in a fiery ring.

"Nowhere to run, you bastards!" Katsuki shouted, his smirk growing wider as the orcs scrambled to their feet, disoriented and panicked.

The remaining orcs let out roars of rage, drawing their crude weapons as they charged forward. Rosie fired another arrow, taking down an orc as it rushed toward her, but soon found herself facing one of the brutes head-on as it deflected her next shot. She quickly slung her bow over her shoulder and drew her sword in one swift motion, parrying the orc's heavy axe as it came crashing down.

The clash of steel rang out through the camp as Rosie fought, her movements quick and precise. The orc was strong, but she was faster. She ducked under its next swing, her sword slicing through its side before she spun around and drove her blade into its chest, bringing it down.

Deku, meanwhile, was surrounded by three orcs, but he held his ground. His hands glowed with intense magical power as he unleashed spell after spell, each one hitting with pinpoint accuracy. "Take this!" he shouted, sending a bolt of lightning into the largest orc, causing it to stagger before falling to the ground in a smoking heap.

Katsuki, seeing another group of orcs trying to escape through a gap in the flames, jumped into the fray. "Not so fast!" he roared, his palms erupting with a massive explosion that sent the orcs flying back into the fire. "You're not getting outta here alive!"

Uraraka, who had been keeping her distance, noticed one of the orcs sneaking toward the treeline. Without hesitation, she raised her staff and whispered to the birds once more. A flock of crows swooped down from the trees, their sharp talons raking at the orc's face, blinding it long enough for Uraraka to send a blast of magical energy straight into its chest, dropping it instantly.

Just as the battle seemed to be turning in their favor, an orc larger than the others came charging through the flames, its face twisted in fury. Rosie saw it coming, but before she could react, the brute slammed into her, sending her sprawling to the ground.

"Rosie!" Katsuki roared, his eyes blazing with anger. He leaped over the burning ring and launched himself at the orc, his fists crackling with explosive power. The orc swung its club at him, but Katsuki dodged it with ease, coming up behind the brute and landing a devastating explosion at the base of its spine.

The orc howled in pain, stumbling forward, but Katsuki didn't let up. He delivered another blast to its side, sending it crashing to the ground. With one final punch, he ignited his hands, creating a massive explosion that incinerated the orc on the spot.

Breathing heavily, Katsuki turned to where Rosie was struggling to her feet, her hand clutching her side where the orc had hit her.

"You okay, idiot?" Katsuki growled, though his voice held more concern than annoyance.

Rosie wiped the dirt from her face and flashed him a tired grin. "I'm fine. Thanks for the save."

Katsuki rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched up in a smirk. "Just stay out of trouble next time, alright?"

Rosie sheathed her sword, giving him a teasing smile. "No promises."

As the last of the orcs fell and the fire around the camp began to die down, the group regrouped, their breaths heavy but victorious.

"Welcome to the party Uraraka," Rosie said after recatching her breath. "You fit in perfectly."

"Let's get back to camp, we'll get the reward in the morning." Katsuki stated, moving to Rosie's side. He paused, glancing at Uraraka, "hey ranger."

"Uh, y–yes?" She stared at Katsuki with wide, frightened eyes.

"You did good," then he turned away and walked with Rosie back to their camp.

The hot spring bubbled gently, steam rising into the cool evening air as Rosie and Uraraka soaked in the naturally heated water. The two women had taken a much-needed break from their adventures, their weapons lying within arm's reach on the nearby rocks, just in case. The tranquil surroundings were a welcome relief after the intensity of tracking down and defeating the orcs for the last two days.

Rosie leaned back, her head resting on the edge of the spring as she let the warm water ease her muscles. Uraraka, across the pool, hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"Rosie?" Uraraka's voice was soft, almost timid.

"Mmm?" Rosie hummed, her eyes still closed as she relaxed.

"Why did you ask me to be a part of your party?" Uraraka asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. She had been thinking about it ever since Rosie had extended the invitation back in Perlyington. Joining them felt right, but she had wondered why Rosie had chosen her specifically.

Rosie's eyes fluttered open, a small smile playing on her lips as she regarded Uraraka from across the water. "I like your smile," she said simply, her tone light but genuine.

Uraraka blinked, clearly surprised by the answer. "My smile?"

"Yep," Rosie nodded, pushing herself up slightly. "That, and you're an adventurer. It's nice to have another woman in the party. Katsuki and Izuku are great, but there's something special about having another female around. We understand each other in ways they can't." Rosie flashed her a grin. "Besides, I think we'll make a great team."

Uraraka's face softened, touched by the sentiment. "I'm glad we can be friends."

Rosie's smile widened. Without hesitation, she waded through the water toward Uraraka and took her hands, holding them firmly in her own. "Not just friends," she declared brightly, her bright blue eyes gleaming. "From this day forward, we'll be best friends."

Uraraka blushed, feeling a warmth in her chest that wasn't from the hot spring. Her heart swelled with gratitude as she nodded. "Best friends."

Rosie squeezed her hands before letting go, grabbing a bottle of silvery liquid that shimmered in the dim light. "Here," she offered, pouring some into her palms. "I noticed you didn't pack much when we left Perlyington. Want some? It's elven-made—makes your hair softer than silk."

Uraraka laughed nervously as she accepted the offer, letting Rosie work the liquid into her hair. "I was in a bit of a rush, and… well, I didn't have much to begin with. My family's been struggling these past few years. We're merchants, but the merchant guild hasn't been doing so well lately."

Rosie paused, her hands still in Uraraka's hair. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Uraraka shook her head, trying to smile despite the situation. "They're doing better now. I stayed behind to help sell flowers and support them. But it was hard to leave again, even though my parents wanted me to get back out into the world."

"That's incredibly kind of you," Rosie said, her voice full of admiration. "It takes a lot of strength to stay behind when you know you want to be somewhere else."

Uraraka's eyes glimmered with determination. "I plan to send them money once I start earning more. That way, I'll have peace of mind knowing they'll be taken care of, no matter what happens."

Rosie nodded, smiling softly as she massaged the silvery liquid into Uraraka's hair. "That's a smart plan. You're a good daughter."

As Rosie finished working the liquid into her hair, Uraraka tilted her head in curiosity. "What about you?"

"What about me?" Rosie asked, her hands slowing as she prepared to rinse her own hair.

"You're an elf, right? It's rare to see elves out in the world, let alone adventuring with a party. What made you leave home?"

Rosie's hands stilled, and her expression became more serious. "Rinse," she instructed softly.

Uraraka obediently dunked her head under the water, scrubbing her hair as Rosie did the same. The water swirled around them, carrying away the silver liquid as they both resurfaced. Rosie leaned back against the rocks again, letting out a long sigh as her mind wandered.

"I left because I knew if I didn't go then, I never would," Rosie finally said, her voice quieter now, as if speaking too loudly might break the calm. "I didn't want to live a life that had already been planned for me. My parents wanted me to marry someone of status, settle down, live the life of a noble." She chuckled darkly. "But I refused. We argued—my parents and I—and that night, I packed what little I could carry and left. That was a couple of years ago."

Uraraka's gaze softened with understanding. "Do you ever think about going back?"

Rosie smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in it. "Yeah… I do. I miss my family. But I know if I go back, it'll be hard to leave again. Leaving the first time was already one of the hardest things I've ever done."

The water rippled softly between them, the sound of the hot spring bubbling providing a gentle backdrop to their conversation.

After a moment, Uraraka glanced at Rosie thoughtfully. "Can I ask you something else?"

"Of course," Rosie replied, looking intrigued.

"What's your relationship with Katsuki like?" Uraraka asked, her voice lowering slightly. "I mean… he's so rough and mean sometimes. But you travel with him—he doesn't seem to be the easiest person to be around."

Rosie laughed softly at the question, shaking her head. "Katsuki isn't actually as mean as he seems. Don't get me wrong, he can be rough around the edges, but once you get past that… he's loyal, protective, and a great partner. We balance each other out." She smiled fondly. "We've been through a lot together, and I'd never abandon him for anything."

Uraraka raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "You really trust him that much?"

Rosie nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely. Katsuki might not show it the same way other people do, but he cares. He watches over us, even if he acts like he doesn't want to. He's the kind of person who won't let anything bad happen to the people he cares about."

Uraraka smiled at Rosie's words, understanding now why she stayed by Katsuki's side. "I see… he's not as bad as I thought."

"Nope," Rosie grinned, "he's just Katsuki. Once you get used to him, you'll see that he's not so bad." She leaned back, closing her eyes again as she let the warmth of the hot spring seep into her skin. "But don't tell him I said any of this. He'd deny it all anyway."

"That does sound like something he would do."