CW: Minor gagging

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The house felt empty. Shouta was involved with a press conference whilst Hizashi was to be involved in the rescue of Katsuki, wherever he was. She was meant to go to Inko's home but it didn't feel right. She didn't have to, the option was just there.

Iruka walked over to where the cat's food were. They sounded hungry. After feeding them Iruka glanced at the clock. 2 pm. How long would it take to find Kacchan. Would they even be able to find him today? It's only been a day since camp. Iruka slumped onto the couch to silence her thoughts.

She didn't need to think of the possibility that Katsuki wouldn't be found. She didn't need to think about the fact that her classmates were about to go out to find him later that day. She didn't need to think about how her classmates were doing more for her best friend than she was.

"FUCK!" A pillow flew across the room. Iruka got up and grabbed a pen and paper from the counter. Papa must've been grading or something.

She sat herself down and wrote. Wrote her frustrations out. Wrote what her friends were going to do was reckless and stupid and could get them in trouble. Wrote how she would be able to hunt Katsuki down with his scent. Wrote how even if she couldn't get him out of the leagues clutches she could at least find him, keep him company, hell maybe even tell the heroes where they were just so they could find him faster-

Oh.

No Iruka you can't do that you just said it'd be reckless- But I won't engage. I won't put either of us in danger. I'll watch it. I'll wait with them just like back on the island. 

She was trying to be rational really. She weighed her options. Her desire to find Katsuki won.

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Iruka flew above Musutafu, mapping out how much ground the heroes could cover in 2 days. Iruka put into account that the LOV has been known for a minimum of 3 months now. Surely the heroes would've already started finding their base after they went to the USJ. But that knowledge wasn't going to help her. She wouldn't be able to get her hands on any of that information fast enough to be useful.

There was very little Iruka knew about the LOV. Shigaraki was a man-child. Kurogiri could teleport anywhere. There was a girl that liked knives. There was Dabi who smelt of fire. Fire? That was Dabi's quirk, right? She could scrounge up info on fire-quirked villains but arson could be done by anyone regardless of quirk so it'd be a waste of time.

Damnit Iruka think! What else was there to know about them? Shigaraki wasn't the boss? That's not going to help find Kacchan damnit!

Iruka landed in an alleyway and detransformed. She had to clear her head and think of something. She was walking up when her nose scrunched up in disgust. Damn alcoholics. Wonder if Dabi could burn from the inside out if he drank-

Alcohol. ALCOHOL! That's what Shigaraki smelt like at the mall. And that Compress dude smelt like it too. They had to be hanging out at a bar. No way they were out drinking at some random bar in public. But what happens if they're just buying alcohol from a random konbini?* No no this could be something. Alcohol sticks around if you go to the bar enough and there's no way they'd drink before an attack unless they're lunatics.

It was a stretch but it was more than nothing and Iruka would rather work with more than nothing. Granted now she had to narrow her scope to which bar if it was a bar at all. There had to be a limit to Kurgori's warping. The camp was far out so they either had to take a pitstop or their hideout was farther out of the city than she thought. If she was sticking to the bar shpeel then it'd have to be abandoned. That would at least lead her to a more deserted part of town.

That'll take too long damnit.

 If you don't stop complaining we'll never find him. The option is there let's go. Iruka huffed and took to the skies once more. 

Wait a minute we? I'm just me, aren't I? Well, we sounds nice. Focus Iruka.

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Iruka had been led to the outskirts of Shizuoka and now she was headed towards Kanagawa prefecture. It was Dabi's scent and alcohol that had led her this way. Iruka found herself aboard a train to reserve her energy.

Iruka's phone buzzed from time to time but she didn't look. She couldn't be distracted. Iruka wasn't sure what she would be facing so she had to prepare. What do I do if Kacchan's injured? What's going to happen if I can't find him in time? Damnit.

At the next stop, Iruka got off the train. Around the station, Iruka could see the press conference that was being held at UA. There was a reporter that asked Shouta how they were so sure Katsuki wasn't being brainwashed into being a villain. Iruka could only scoff. Katsuki is close to being a villain as Dad is to putting the cats up for adoption or as close to Hitoshi having a normal sleep schedule. It's never going to happen. Iruka scoffed as she transformed into a crow and flew above the city. Dabi's scent was definitely getting stronger but being a crow muffled her sense of smell slightly. She flew around in search of bars of any kind, occasionally detransforming so she could sniff around. 

The sun disappeared from the sky covering the city with the blanket of darkness as Iruka neared a shadier part of Yokohama city. When she spotted pro's roaming around she transformed into a crow. She was about to fly over a building when she heard familiar voices.

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"Once a hero receives a payment to protect people, they aren't a real hero anymore." Spinner addressed.

"A hero in this current system only cares about money and fame and since society buys into those idiotic standards everyone deemed unworthy is shoved aside." Tomura continued on, asking if the system was fair. What even was justice?

Katsuki gritted his teeth as they listened to the villain's ranting. What the hell are they talking about? Of course, it's fucking fair that's why there are heroes in the first place.

"Dabi let him go."

"You know he'll just try to escape right?"

"It's fine. We're recruiting him so we should treat him as an equal." Dabi sighed.

"Twice let him go."

"Sure thing! No way." Why the hell is this guy so damn contradicting?!

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"WE MAY NOT BE AT CAMP BUT I'M STILL ALLOWED TO FIGHT!" Iruka could hear Katsuki's yelling from the inside. How do I get in?

Iruka flew around trying to find a window or a vent, anything that could get her inside. There was a grided window so Iruka changed into a fly and snuck in. She followed the League's chatter, and found them and Katsuki in a much more open area than the rest of the building.

Katsuki looked ready to fight, and by the way Kurogiri reacted so did Tomura. Iruka flew to Katsuki's side and landed on his shoulder. Ok cool, she got here now what? There were heroes outside she could go get help but there is so much that could happen in that time.

"Don't lay a finger on him, any of you." Tomura picked up the hand on the floor and placed it back on his face. "This hero is still a valuable piece." Do they think Katsuki is some kind of object? A trophy?

"I was sure you'd listen to what I have to say. I thought you and I could come to an understanding."

"Not a chance." Katsuki spat.

"Then I have no choice." Iruka could hear hushed chatter from outside. "The heroes said they would continue the investigation of our group," There were at least 10 maybe 20 people, "so we don't have time to stand around." there seemed to be familiar voices but she couldn't make them all out. "Sensei, lend me your strength." Tomura turned towards the tv in the room.

"I thought you were the boss around here but really you're just second in command." Not the time to be cocky Kacchan.

"Kurogiri, Compress, it's time to put him back to sleep."

"It's a shame he was such a bad audience."

Shit shit shit, I gotta get Kacchan out of here. Could I break through the wall and get him out? There are people outside I might get them injured. I can't risk getting him put back in that marble. I could catch the marble before Compress get's to it and fly us both out. Damn, how heavy are those things?

Somebody knocked on the back door.

"Hey, I brought pizza." What?

Everyone looked around confused. They hadn't anticipated the wall on Kastsuki's right to be turned to rubble as All Might punched through it. Iruka shielded herself in Katsuki's shirt trying not to get blown away by the air force. All Might's here, it'll be ok now.

Tomura had ordered for Kurogiri to warp them all out but was knocked out by Pro Hero Kamui Wood. Dabi tried to burn the pro's wood but failed immensely when Grand Torino knocked him out cold. Edgeshot had entered to reveal a plethora of police force members effectively surrounding all the villains.

All Might assured Katsuki he would be alright to which the younger blonde yelled at him and told him he wasn't scared in the slightest. The pros were just about to wrap up the operation and hand the villains to the police when-

"Shit Nomu!" Someone yelled out as Nomu started to fill the bar. They appeared from a warp of some kind but Kurogiri was still out.

Iruka didn't have a chance to think it through as Iruka felt as though she were throwing up some kind of liquid. Her tiny body was covered in the fifth that left her mouth.

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"My apologies Bakugo." A shiver ran down Iruka's spine as she heard that voice. Iruka wasn't sure where they were and she couldn't risk being seen even if she was merely a fly.

"Sensei," Tomura said.

"So you've failed once more Tomura. But I have faith in you. You'll try again, that's why I brought your associates with you. Even these children, because you judged they were an important piece on your game board." Children? "You can try as many times as you need to, for this is all for you."

Iruka could feel Katsuki's heart beating faster and faster. She needs to get him out of this quickly but where even were they? Were they still in Kanagawa? Were there any heroes around?

"But before that, why don't you come out of hiding first." Hiding? Who's hiding? Was he talking about her? How did he see her? "Ah, there you are,"

There was a blast of wind and Iruka flew out of Katsuki's shirt as he too was knocked by the wind. Iruka could hear All Might's voice. He said something about All For One but she wasn't sure. Iruka was forced to detransform upon impact. She watched as All Might was sent flying through buildings by the villain in front of them. The dust disrupted their vision. Who the hell was this guy?

"All Might!" Katsuki yelled. She hadn't been noticed, at least not by Katsuki.

"Don't worry that won't be enough to kill him." All For One turned towards Tomura, "Tomura get off the battlefield and take these children with you." The man before them grew tentacle-like strands from his fingers and plunged them into Kurogiri. "Kurogiri, get them somewhere safe." AFO forced him to open a gate as he explained to the other why he couldn't use the quirk that had transported them earlier.

"Sensei what do you mean children? And what about you?"

"Were you not interested in Iruka Ito?" As the debris cleared they finally saw Iruka standing just a little bit away from Katsuki.

"Iruka?" Katsuki turned to her confused.

All Might came flying back and aimed a punch at AFO but it never landed. Compress called for Tomura as he placed Dabi into a marble.

"While your sensei keeps All Might entertained, claim your prize." They turned towards Katsuki and Iruka.

"This will be fun." His hands started to spark. Iruka was sure he was ready for  a big attack.

"Young Bakugo, Ito don't!" All Might called out but AFO sent those tendrils after him.

"The fuck are you doing here Whiskers?!" Katsuki dodged Twice's tape as Iruka tossed away Toga via scarf.

"Glad to see you're doing well!" Toga was sent towards Twice sending them towards a slab of concrete. 

"Fuck off!" Katsuki sent an explosion towards Compress.

"Maybe when you're not about to die and them all in jail!" Magne and Spinner came rushing towards her and she ran towards them head-on and rammed into them as a Rhino.

"Bold words from someone who is afraid." AFO laughed as he tossed All Might like nothing but a ragged doll. The villains surrounded them once more but Iruka was facing AFO, giving her a clear view of the masked villain before her.

"You're right, I am afraid but I'm not scared of you." Iruka took a step towards them, "Why should I be afraid of you? Because you can fight All Might barehanded? Because you can kill me in an instant?" Iruka finally had a clear tell that some of her friends were there. They were close. She could hear whispers of a plan. Stall. "Well too bad, I don't fear somebody who looks like a thumb." She spat.

"I'd be careful what you say, girl." AFO said darkly.

"No. You feel threatened. You feel threatened by high school children to the point where you tried to attack them only to fail miserably." Everyone was at a standstill as they watched Iruka. All Might wasn't sure how to act, he couldn't with how close Iruka and Katsuki were.

"I do not feel threatened. I had Tomura recruit Bakugo because he would be an asset to the league."

"Like hell, I'd join you!"

"Katsuki is right. Do you think just because he's abrasive and loud he doesn't want to be the top hero? Ask any of his friends." There was a crash from the side of the building, "They'll all tell you he has as much of a drive to become a hero as anyone else!" A blast of ice appeared from the side of the building as Tenya, Izuku and Eijirou flew above them all.

"Bakugo take my hand!" Eijirou called out.

Katsuki let out an explosion that sent the villains around him backwards and him up into the air. AFO tried to use his tendrils to catch up to them but Iruka flew up and snapped them before it could reach her friends. She hadn't followed them up instead she headed right back towards the villains.

"IRUKA!" She wanted to go back for All Might but Magne had shot Compress upwards towards Katsuki and the others. She couldn't back fast enough-

Mount Lady shot upwards blocking Compress' path but unfortunately knocking herself out. "Go home you dumb kids,"

Magne was ready to shoot Spinner or Twice upwards and this time Iruka aimed for Magne and knocked him out as a flurry of yellow knocked Spinner and Twice out.

"Get out of here kid!" Grand Torino yelled at her. "Worry about yourself before you worry about Pro's!" Iruka felt frozen but forced herself up. She had to know if Katsuki was ok. She had to figure out if the others were unharmed.

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"We're going to crash!" Eijirou yelled out.

Iruka flew as fast as she could but they were too close to the roofs to land properly. She enlarged her form before wrapping her wings around everyone and turning to be the one who'd be hit on impact. They tumbled a bit before Iruka hit the side of a building, she unwrapped her friends before detransforming.

"Ito, are you alright?"

"Fine. Let's get you down from here. Shoto and Momo were with you right?" She dusted herself off before checking the side of the building to see if they had a way down,

"Ya. I'll give Todoroki a call once we get down." Iruka helped her friends down the building by slowly lowering them down.

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*Kobini are Japanese convenient stores

Hello hello!! I have returned from the dead!

I am so so so sorry this fic was left on hiatus for a while. Finally finished highschool and well that kinda kicked my motivation into a ditch.

But I am back now and I intend to keep this fic going to the end. I'll try to keep the original chapters going but my backlog of chapters is lower than I'd like them to be so we'll have to see. Best follow me on Instagram ( @ ryan_reeta ) for updates and such 

As always, if you enjoyed this chapter a vote and/or comment is always appreciated.

Till next time, stay hydrated.

Bye Lovies~