Blackhound560: Good thing you didn't have to wait too long.

Day 354, 8:05 AM

"Ouch," Deku groans as he wakes up. "What the hell?" Remembering the events of last night, he struggles with his bonds. "Shit, shit, shit." He struggles again to get free of the duct tape to no avail. "Oh no, please no."

The door opens and Deku hisses like a cat as light hits him in the face. "Please, please, don't hurt me."

"Why would I hurt you, idiot?"

He recognizes that voice. "Kacchan, please, you gotta help me. Please, I've been tied up. Please, help me."

"I know you're tied up, idiot. I was the one who tied you up?"

Suddenly, Deku's panicking ceases at the drop of a hat. "What?"

"I tied you up, idiot." With Deku tied to the chair, he pulls the chair up so Deku can sit upright.

"What, you, why?"

"Because I knew you'd sneak off in the middle of the night, idiot. Am I wrong?"

"What? Why... why did you lock me in a supply closet?"

"Because if the others saw you tied up, they would've freed you and you would've snuck off. So, I duct-taped you to a chair and hid you in a supply closet." He forces a smile on his face. "Out of love, man."

Deku groans. "Damn you."

Even as Bakugou pushed Deku forward in the chair and left scrape marks behind on the pavement, Deku still felt a sense of unease as his old UA students approached him in the middle of the school yard where several Shiketsu students watched from a distance.

"Holy crap, man," Kirishima gasps. "What happened to you?"

"Bakuogu tried to kidnap me," Deku mockingly cries. "Either that, or he's into his victims being tied up."

Bakugou puts his palm to Deku's face. "Watch it, you damn nerd; don't forget that I can still blow you to pieces if you decide to piss me off." He demonstrates his point by making a small explosion go off in his palm. It was more like a spark than an explosion but Deku still got the point.

"Can I at least be unwrapped?"

Bakugou removes the duct tape from the bound boy before pushing him out of the chair. "Don't even think about running off or you will pay the price for it."

"Whatever you say, man."

Damn it, I could've been kilometers away by now but these guys had to kidnap me. Damn it. Don't they realize I'm better off on my own? Don't they realize they're better off without me? How much longer until someone dies because of me? Why won't these guys get it? I just want to leave in peace."

"Where's Kaminari?" Deku asks, noticing the absence of his traveling companion.

"Having himself some breakfast in the cafeteria. I imagine it's been a while since you had some breakfast too, right, ya damn nerd?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Then go in the cafeteria and enjoy their crispy delicious bacon."

"They have bacon?"

"They came across a pig a few weeks ago and slaughtered it; enjoy."

Deku wants to run off as soon as possible but the prospect of having bacon seems to overpower him. The smell and aroma coming from the cafeteria as he steps closer draws him in faster and more ravenously as he salivates like a dog.

Bakugou stays back with Kirishima and Mina. "How have you guys been?"

"You tied him up?" Mina asks in shock. "I mean, if you're into that sort of stuff, I get it, but Deku?"

"I'm not gay for that damn nerd, raccoon eyes. Jesus Christ, what the fuck is wrong with you."

"We're just saying, man," Kirishima clarifies, "tying him up? It doesn't seem very manly."

"He would've snuck off in the middle of the night while we slept if I hadn't."

"How do you know that?"

"Duh, I know him, shitty hair."

"Our hair is exactly the same, bro!"

Bakugou looks forward to seeing the Shiketsu High students talking to each other, which reminds him of something. "When did baggy eyes and Camie leave?"

"A few minutes ago; you just missed them."

"Damn it." I was hoping to see Camie before she left.

"Wait," Mina speaks up, "did you just call Camie 'Camie'?"

"Duh, that's her name, raccoon eyes."

She smiles. "I knew it; you like her."

"What are you talking about, dumbass?"

"You only call people you like by their first names. You call me raccoon eyes and Eijirou here 'shitty hair'. Aw, looks like you are capable of love."

"Of course I'm capable of love, moron!"

Day 351, 10:23 AM

He knew that it shouldn't be his top priority. He knew that he shouldn't waste his time with this but Bakugou couldn't care. It was going to be a while before they found Deku and Kaminari so he decided to take a few moments, just a few, so he could pay his respects.

Grabbing a few flowers he plucked from an overgrown sign in the middle of the street, he holds the flowers close to his chest as he approaches the two makeshift graves before him. He doesn't cry this time but he feels like he's on the verge.

No, he won't cry, not for them, not for his parents.

Kneeling, he places one flower on the grave to his right and then to his left. He gently caresses the two makeshift graves before picking himself up and stands tall with his hands shoved in his pockets.

"You old hag, you idiot," he whispers under his breath, "I hope you got sent to Heaven and not Hell for the Devil's sake." He strokes the graves one last time before closing his eyes. "I want to see you again but not today and I'm sure you would agree. I'll live as long as possible for you two." He kisses each makeshift gravestone with his eyes still closed. "So long, Mom, Dad."

Present

Meeting up with Kaminari in the cafeteria, Deku takes a seat and helps himself to a plate full of crispy bacon that Boyardee served. Taking a handful, he stuffs his face with the greasy food before sighing heavily as each bite tasted like paradise on each one of his taste buds.

"Man, I missed this so much." Kaminari takes a bite of bacon. "I really missed this."

"Yeah, you can say that again." Deku takes a sip of water from the cup before him. "Man."

"Maybe we should stay here."

Deku snaps toward Kaminari. "What?"

"Yeah, you and me. We can live here."

"If we stay here, we're forcing the survivors to use up more resources to keep us alive."

"So what? We used up a lot of resources back with our old group."

"That's because we were a large group."

"And thirty-eight is a large group. Besides, they seem to be doing fine on their own."

"They could probably manage with just one more survivor but I'm not sure about two. If you want to stay, then you should stay. But I'm leaving. One way or another."

Kaminari scoffs. "Why can't you let yourself be happy, man? Like, seriously. This is grade-A prime bacon, and turkey bacon no less, and you want to walk away?"

"I'm a walking danger. I'm better on my own."

Kaminari clenches his fists over the bacon, crumbling it in his hand. "Says who?"

"It's just better if I'm alone. It's only a matter of time before someone dies because of me and I don't want that to happen."

Kaminari sighs. "Deku. I understand how you're feeling; because of the secret we kept from everyone, it cost us Bondo and Koji Kpda's lives. And you had to kill Iida in self-defense after he killed Aoyama and tried to kill you, but that doesn't matter anymore."

"It doesn't matter? If it didn't matter, then why were we banished in the first place? It's too late for me, Denki, but you can still go back."

Bakugou overheads the end of that conversation and steps forward. "And what difference does it make if Pikachu stays and you leave?"

Deku turns to him. "I'm All for One's son; I'm Shigaraki's younger brother. I'm only alive because of All for One giving me a quirk and Shigaraki targeted me because I'm his little brother."

"We know that already, asshole."

"Bakubro." Kirishima steps forward. "Listen, man. I don't know what or how you're feeling but seriously man, you should come back with us. We'll convince the others to do something about it but we're taking you back with us."

"If we had just told the truth..." Deku pauses, "... if I had just told the truth about Iida and Aoyama, then Koji Koda wouldn't've been afraid of us and shot Bondo by accident before killing himself.

"You think that if you left, then we wouldn't die? Remember Rikido Sato? His death had absolutely nothing to do with you. Those Bystander assholes were the ones who killed Sato."

"What if the League of Villains decides to target you guys because of me? That's what happened at UA and we lost several people because of it."

"You're such a downer." Mina steps forward and puts her hands on his shoulder. "If the League of Villains decides to attack, we'll attack them together. After all, isn't that what we were taught back at UA? TO overcome unfair odds, no matter what?"

"Trust me, everyone is better off if I'm not present there."

"And we don't recall giving you a choice," Bakugou reminds Deku firmly. "You're coming home with us, one way or another. If you try to escape, I"ll have GPS track you down again. Even if you somehow find a way to cross the Pacific, I will swim through the ocean if I have to to bring you back. You can't get rid of me."

"Kacchan..."

"Doesn't feel good to be on the receiving end, does it, nerd? Remember how you kept following me and how I couldn't get rid of you? Welcome to my world, idiot."

"I just want you guys to be safe. I just want you guys to be safe."

"We're never safe. We are never fucking safe, idiot. Anyone of us could offed at any fucking moment and there's nothing you can do to change that. In fact, somewhere in the world, someone is getting munched on by zombies right now and we don't even realize it. We're all we get left in this world. As much as I hate to admit it, you're one of the few things I have left in this world, you damn nerd, and I'm not going to let you get away."

Deku looks at him, replaying his sentence in his mind. "What are you saying?"

"My parents are dead and you're all I got left. You cheated your way into UA with that quirk of yours that came out of nowhere but we were in it together, right? Now All Might is dead, society is dead, our teachers are dead, and almost everyone else is dead and we're all that we have left. I admit defeat, Deku, I miss you and I want to keep you alive. There, ya happy. You finally got the best of your rival."

"Wait... you... miss me?"

"You've been chasing me since we were kids and I guess I miss that feeling so... why not."

Deku is taken aback as he explains himself, his lip quivering with emotion. "You missed me."

"Yeah, I missed you, idiot. You grew on me and... as much as I hate to admit it, you're pretty badass, Deku. What with your quirk analysis and everything, and the way you came in first place in the obstacle course at the sports festival, yeah, you're badass and your badassery grew on me."

Deku could barely contain his emotion when the words sank in. For the first time in a long time, Deku heard Bakugou give his respect to him. He had been chasing after Bakugou, following in his footsteps ever since he was little because he was someone he admired and respected and now, for the first time in a long time, Bakguou was laying his heart on the table for the green-haired nerd.

Uraraka enters the forefront of his mind, about how she tried to give him some of her points during the entrance exams and how Tsu and Mineta praised him for his ability to outsmart the water villains at the USJ. Yes, to be respected for the first time by people he had just gotten to know was one thing but to finally hear the respect and admiration from someone he looked up to and admired for so long in spite of his asshole tendencies, Deku could barely contain himself.

"Ahh great," Bakugou groans, "the waterworks again."

10:25 AM

Pulling the gates open for the newcomers to come inside, Kaminari stands near the front and gasps upon seeing a familiar group step out of the SUV. A group he thought he'd never see again. Without waiting or hesitation, he sprints for the group and embraces the first person he can in a hug.

"Jirou!" He cries. "Oh my god, I missed you so much."

Jirou pats him on the back. "Hey, dummy, you're still alive."

Kaminari pulls back to show his smiling face. "Obvi; you can't kill this electric bastard."

Kuroiro and Komori step out. "Nice to see ya again," they both wave.

"You too." Kaminari turns to Mineta. "Hey there, how's my bestie?"

Mineta gives him an OK sign. "Keeping it cool."

Then there's one last person. "Well, well, well, I see you're still ripped, dragon boy."

Shirtless, Kenta holds his muscular arms up and flexes his abs. "I'm the one dragon who can't get skinny, boy."

They decide to do a group hug which lasts longer than any of them expected and how to be called back down to earth by Mora.

"Sorry." Kaminari turns to the group. "So, what happened?"

Shinsou steps forward. "I acted as a liaison, obviously. I told our old teammates from UA that there was a group of people willing to trade with us. There was a vote but Kendo decided it was worth the risk after seeing me and Camie."

"Why were you sent?"

"Bakugou sent me, saying that the others would feel more confident and trustworthy of me because of my brainwashing quirk if I brought back another survivor. And Camie had the less threatening presence of anyone here."

"Aww, I'm like totally offended." She playfully scoffs. "Eh, whatever."

Deku and the other head outside to meet up with the UA group. Deku stops ten feet away. "Hey guys."

"Still alive," Jirou says, "If you're still alive, it explains how Kaminari is still alive."

A vein protudes in Kaminari's temple. "Quit messing with me Jirou; I just barely escaped getting mauled to death by a pack of zombie dogs."

"Yeah, sure."

"No, it's true."

"Guys," Kuroiro calls out, "we'll talk about that later. Now, this... Shiketsu group."

Mora, Shishikura, and the rest of the Shiketsu High students stand before UA, each wearing their school-issued hats.

"Glad to see you're all still alive," Shishikira says, "though I admit that I am surprised to see some of you are still alive." He eyes Mineta. "Especially the pervert right there." His eyes trail to Kenta. "Wait a sec, I remember you. You're the dragon boy from the licensing exams."

Kenta flexes his muscular arms. "Guilty as charged."

"You're still one big motherfucker."

"Yeah, I sure am. And there's plenty of room for anyone to want to ride this dragon. Though it is exclusive to girls only.

Camie, Katana, and the other girl at Shiketsu gaze upon Kenta's muscular arms and abs with hearts for eyes. Bakguou groans and blocks their view by moving to the center.

"Damn nerds, pay attention!"

"Right." MOra steps forward and addresses the students. "I must say, it feels surreal to meet another group of survivors. However, I admit that I am less surprised to see that it is a group of heroes-in-training. Come join us in the cafeteria for whatever scraps of food we have left and we can talk."

"That would be appreciated." Jirou steps forward. "We're not doing so well, right now; morale is low."

"Why?" Deku asks. "Did something happen?" He remembers that Kendo is the leader of the UA survivors. "Is Kendo alright?"

"She's doing as well as can be expected," Kuroiro answers, "being a leader isn't easy, especially with so many lives to worry about; she could definitely... use a hand." He laughs loudly for two seconds before silencing himself.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing, I thought there was a bug in my ear. Why don't we go inside?"

"That seems like a good idea," Mora admits. "Come join us."

Jirou grabs Deku by the hand. "Hey, Midoriya, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but... we lost three of our own last week."

Deku gasps. "What?"

"Kamakiri from Class 1-B, and support course students Kimura and Shimamura. We lost them."

"D-did I-"

"No," Jirou shakes her head. "You guys had nothing to do with their deaths."

"How did they die?"

10:45

"That's horrible," Deku groans, "I've never heard of a bacteria like that."

"And it existed before the apocalypse," Kuroiro informs them. "It was in a medical book so it existed before the apocalypse.

With all the students in the cafeteria, most of the Shiketsu students sit at their tables while the important people sit at one table to discuss things.

The Bakusquad and Kamisquad sit together so they can talk while Mora sits with Shishikura and Camie to discuss other things.

"How's Kendo doing?" Kirishima asks. "I mean, I can't imagine getting your hand chopped off."

"She says she can still feel it tickling," Mineta answers, "I don't know if I could live with myself if my hand was chopped off."

"Or mine," Kenta shrugs, "it's going to be hard to give myself a handjob."

Jirou glares at him. "Kenta, completely inappropriate."

"Sorry. Wrong place, wrong time."

Jirou turns back to Deku. "So, are you coming home?"

Deku hesitates to answer. "I'm not sure. I don't think so."

"What?" Bakugou leans forward. "After I poured all my guts and feelings on the table for you, the answer is still a 'no'?!"

"I liked what you said, really, but I'm still not sure."

"The other plan, right?" Kirishima begins. "Where you stay with Shiketsu and we go back?"

"No," Bakugou shakes his head. "None of us are going back until we bring Deku and Kaminari back. Kaminari can go back with his squad but my squad stays until we bring Deku home to show everyone else that he's okay."

Deku shivers. "Kacchan-"

"Then after that, if you want to live at Shiketsu, be our guests, but if that happens, I plan on living here too to make sure that these guys are who they seem to be. And that is non-negotiable."

"Aww," Komori smirks, "you do care about Deku."

"Duh."

Kirishima laughs. "And I thought the only words you were capable of is. 'DIE! DIE! DIE'!"

"Shut up, shitty hair."

After a few minutes of bickering, Mora and Shishikura step forward with Mora speaking first. "We're ready to talk and get to know each other."

"Hey, at least buy us a drink before getting to know us," Jirou snarks before standing. "Alright then."

"I'm the one negotiating," Bakugou says, "Ears is just here to update me on what's going on."

"By all means," Mora nods understanding. "Let's go then."

Mora leads Bakugou and Jirou back to his table and they sit down. Camie serves them cups of warm tea before sitting next to Bakguou.

"Alright, Chewbacca, you start first?"

"Start first with what?" He sips his tea. "What do I have to explain; I have given you and your group sanctuary for a few days."

"We're getting to know each other, right? You already know everything about us, pretty much. After all, our quirks were on full display for everyone in the world to see at the sports festival. You, on the other hand, are still mysteries that need solving. I'm sure you guys have a semblance of how we made it almost a year into the apocalypse but now it's our time to have some light shed for us. How did you survive? What tactics do you use? What are your goals? Short-term and long-term."

Mora chuckles. "Wow, straight to the point, like an ice cube. Man, what I would kill for an ice cube right about now."

"If you're thinking about that two-toned asshole, he's not with our group."

"Uh-huh. I remember you mentioning something like that. So, I guess I'll settle for lukewarm tea, then."

"How are you guys getting by? We need to know your territory?"

"Territory?"

"Yeah, start with that. If we're going to be friends or at least trading buddies, we need to at least learn the basic routes of your travels. I already know about the warehouse that we picked Camie up in so..."

Mora laughs.

"What's so funny?"

"You know, I think you got the wrong idea about being friends with us. Instead of just jumping in feet first like a swimmer in a pool, you should start slowly. Why don't we get to know each other, as friends."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because if we're going to be friends, why not at least act like it?"

"What do you have in mind?"

Mora takes another sip of his tea. "Do you play pool?"

11:00

In the recess area, the Shiketsu students set up a pool table in the middle of the courtyard and watch eagerly as Shishikura and Mora team up in a battle of pool balls between Bakugou and Kirishima.

After setting up the balls, Bakugou strikes first and sends the balls scattering. He manages to sink the 10. "Alright, looks like Kirishima and I are stripes."

"And we're solids." Shishikura realizes, "Something you won't be if you fight me one-on-one."

"Yeah, we'll see about that, meatball."

Bakugou sinks the 11 ball.

Kaminari stands off to the side as he watches the pool table exchange go down with Jirou beside him. Unable to resist anymore, he gulps before turning towards her.

"How are ya doing, Jirou?"

"Fine. As well as can be expected."

"Admit it; you're relieved I'm alive."

"I will concede to defeat and admit that."

"Also, concede to defeat and admit that you knew I'd be alive."

"Heh, I only knew you'd be alive because you had the green-haired boy with you."

"Okay, I know when to admit to defeat. But admit it: you missed dirt biking with me."

"Maybe."

"Maybe? Are you sure? Are there any other motorcycles out there that you've ridden? Be honest."

"No, but not everything's about dirtbikes."

"But you missed my dirtbike, didn't ya?"

"I missed the sounds they make; I guess I'm too used to it."

"Well, then you can calm yourself because I plan on returning to the dorms."

"And what about Deku?"

Kaminari looks at Deku as he stands to the other, talking to the rest of the Kamisquad.

"I'm going to miss Deku. Hell, I still miss him. But overall, I think that..."

"What?"

"TO ease the burden on Deku's shoulders, I'm going to... make my own choice and make sure he doesn't feel compelled to decide for me." I don't want him to make decisions based on me because, after everything that the boy has gone through, I think he deserves a moment to relax, to breathe."

"Wow," Jirou gasps. "That was a very mature thing to say, Kaminari. I guess Deku is growing on me."

"Like moss on a tree."

"Haha, I get it. Because of his green hair."

"Yep."

"Do you think we can trust Shiketsu?"

Kaminari pauses. "Yeah, I think we can trust them. We can trust them."