4496 Words. I think this is a shorter chapter than usual but hey! I finally updated!!!

Morning.

The time of day Shoto Todoroki has come to despise with every fiber of his being. Everyone takes the teenager as someone who'd easily pass off as anything but a morning person for that matter. The only person that rivals his passion for sleep and long nights would be his homeroom teacher Mr. Aizawa. They're both practically cats! Given, they're cats because they'd sleep twenty two hours a day if given the chance. Besides cats, hedgehogs are only awake an hour or two on a regular basis. Today however, Shoto yearned for sleep more than that of a means to recharge or pass the time. Sleep was his blissful escape from reality. You could thank a man shrouded in darkness who found home within flames of ghostly blue for having Shoto enter slumber with a weeping heart. The dreams distracted him from the terrors of life to turn that pain into bliss. Now, he's awake and all those riled up emotions are back to eat at his fragile broken heart once more. Sadly, It's been years since the last time he's awoken to tears in his eyes.

"I went years without him," Shoto weakly opened up his eyes yet all he could see was his own blurry tears. "I see him once and I'm broken..." Touya... Why did you have to leave the family? For years the entire family was told he died in an accident but no... Shoto would've lived the rest of his life without a worry to breathe past him if he would've never been told the excruciatingly painful truth that his oldest brother hadn't died but rather left the family. The sibling he looked up to most abandoned him at the critical point in Shoto's life and right when shit hit the fan the traitor came back without an ounce of sorrow or guilt... And a villain of all things. If Shoto wasn't with (Y/n), he wouldn't think twice and take Touya to the grave last night. Too bad (Y/n) needs both him and Touya to solve her own mysteries. Anger and disappointment can make people do horrible things but love overpowers them all.

That's why Touya will live to see another day.

"Okay... Time to get up... I guess," Shoto typically has to give himself that man to man pep talk each morning or else he won't bother to leave the sheets. A silky heaven made of fabric as if passed down by the gods. For once, the initial wake up call worked like a charm as he pushed up on the mattress, yet a heavy weight kept his back planted to the mattress. He peered down, "Huh?" The teen tilts his head. (Y/n)'s head rested upon his chest like a pillow while the rest of her was slumped upon the floor. Painful, that's all he had to say about her sleeping position. "Hey (Y/n)," the boy laid a hand atop her head. He dug his fingers into her soft locks. Shoto meant to shake her awake but he couldn't help himself but to fiddle with (Y/n)'s hair. She didn't wake, meaning he had more time to play around. No... Now's not the time for this. The boy nudged his girlfriend gently once more after reluctantly removing his hand from her hair. "(Y/n) wake up... Or not," the boy sighed. Even in sleep she looks like an angel. "You can have the bed if you want."

Okay... (Y/n) really wasn't showing any signs of waking up. Shoto meant to lean in and give her forehead a warm kiss but his orbs could trace the faint trail of dried tears not only to the discoloration of the bed sheets but her cheeks as well. It was painstakingly obvious that they both cried one another to sleep. With a heavy heart, Shoto carefully cradled (Y/n)'s head to his chest as he arose and progressed to pick her up and lie her down gently upon the mattress. A blanket was laid upon her body one after the other as Shoto wanted her to be as warm and comfortable as possible. Shoto would be lying if he said he didn't think about (Y/n)'s condition every day. Her body can't create its own warmth. Bet it'd be heaven if she didn't have an ice quirk. That way, he wouldn't have to see her suffer. Okay, what's the point in thinking about this? It's not like she can get rid of her quirk. That's why he'll remain by her side and make sure she feels warm and welcome.

Shoto finally persuaded himself to part ways and fled the bedroom. Grab a bite to eat, maybe shower? Might as well make an attack plan while (Y/n)'s asleep. With a desire to fulfil the needs of his stomach on the mind, Shoto made way for the kitchen. Upon entering the small room, Shoto could feel a dramatic dip in the atmosphere. It was peculiar how the entire family, or what's left of it, were silently eating in the main room. Between spoonfuls of food Enji and Fuyumi directed smoldering hot glares towards his being while Natsuo was sullen at best. "Morning... I guess," Shoto glared at them in return. What else could he really do?

"Why did you burn our brother's shrine?" Fuyumi was holding back her tears at that very moment. Normally, Fuyumi was the mature one but even now she couldn't retain her stature.

"Cause..." The confrontation from last night was etched upon his mind. Those unregistered feelings of hate and abandonment had his head curling up to make a shaking fist. "I've lost all respect for him." Shoto finally could take a breath now. Those very words were eating him alive.

"You don't burn down his shrine..." Enji bellowed.

"I wouldn't complain if I was you," Shoto began to leave the room. "I wouldn't burn yours."

Fuyumi and Natsuo simultaneously snapped their heads in each others directions. Here they thought Shoto despised Enji more than anything. "What happened?" Enji's eyebrows furrowed. He too found that claim to be off putting. Oh there was definitely something up if Shoto was being emotional about his deceased brother out of nowhere when he was just fine yesterday at his father's office.

"Touya's dead to me that's all," Shoto shared one last glance with his family before leaving to make breakfast for (Y/n) and himself.

Enji was soon to follow and it came as no surprise once he crossed his arms within the doorway. Shoto refused to acknowledge the mans existence and it was only when Enji cleared his through that his son glanced at him lazily from the corner of his eye. "After (Y/n) wakes up, we're leaving town for a few days." Enji out and said without a warning.

"Why?" Shoto blankly replied.

Enji puffed a wisp of smoke from his nostrils. "Investigating a few cases connected to the League of Villains... Just like what YOU and (Y/n) signed up for yesterday," oh right... (Y/n) did beg Enji to take her in as an apprentice. And then the Touya crap went down...

Shoto turned his head towards the stove just enough to see Enji as his attention peaked. "Like what?"

"Fights?" Enji's shoulders lightly bounced. Only those with a keen eye could trace the action. "Strong quirked criminals have been starting fights left and right across Japan. You and (Y/n) will miss school for a while until we can get a lead."

Shoto took in a deep breath, let everything sit in, then returned to the stove. "Okay..."

Shoto allowed (Y/n) to sleep in until the breakfast he made for both himself and (Y/n) was finished. She woke up, reluctantly. Still though, she woke up much easier than it is for Shoto on a daily basis. Shoto didn't want to bring up the subject of her sleeping with him last night but his mind wouldn't flee from the subject at hand. Something about (Y/n) didn't feel right. She visibly looked as though sickness had overtaken her body, black rings around her eyes shown she couldn't sleep very well too. Even now, she was nitpicking the food he made especially for her. "Are you doing okay?" Shoto rubbed the girl's back in soothing circles.

She leaned into his side resting her head upon his shoulder. "Why is it that we're dealing with the same thing at the same time?" (Y/n) sighed.

"Excuse me?" Shoto didn't quite get that.

"Shun dead or... Dying... I'm not quite sure what's going on with him right now," she admits with difficulty. "You're pretending Touya's dead too..." She went on to say. "And it doesn't help that I kept having nightmares last night."

Shoto nuzzled his cheek upon her head. "Why didn't you just sleep in bed with me then?"

"Because that's just wrong," (Y/n) pulled back a little bit. "I don't know how much times have changed but... Back in my time it was considered wrong to sleep with anyone unless you're married. That's why I slept on the floor... Sort of," (Y/n) didn't know how to really respond afterwards.

"Not like we were gonna have sex or anything," Shoto felt offended yet he understood where she was coming from. "If you need someone, I'm always there for you. What nightmares were you having?" (Y/n) already was a tough nut to crack. As far as Shoto knows, her only fear is heights and that's about it. A nightmare though... Just what's (Y/n) so afraid of that's spooking her so badly?

(Y/n) was green in the face at the mention of her nightmares. "I think I saw the future..."

"The future?"

"It could've been. I don't know. It was all extremely realistic as if It was really happening..." Whenever (Y/n) dreamt, she saw herself from outside the body but this time around she dreamt within her own body as her eyes couldn't focus on anything. The setting was dark, marking the time as the dead of night. (Y/n) saw herself as she was enduring great pain and could barely catch up with Shoto and Touya as the three of them were running away from some unknown danger. The more she ran, the more she became aware of all the sloopy stitches that covered her wrists and ankles. Something about her own body screamed for attention as her quirk felt somewhat disconnected from her senses. (Y/n) continued to describe this experience with Shoto until, "I have no idea why I can't remember what else happened," (Y/n) admits with difficulty and a shaking breath. "I'd wake up and go back to sleep with the dream on repeat. We all kept running, then it cuts out, then It'd cut back in with you covered in blood and my arms feeling as if they've been ripped off my body," at this very moment, (Y/n) could swear that she sees all the scars on her wrists this very moment. The only thing telling her otherwise is how her fingers would trace her flesh and feel nothing but the smooth expanse of skin. "I'm so scared Shoto," (Y/n) admits in a shaky breath. "I've been known to see the future in my dreams. The last time this happened was..."

"The night before you fell into the ice?" Shoto asked in concern. (Y/n) agreed with his assumption with a shy nod of her head. She went on to say that she didn't dream herself falling into the ice persay, but she did dream about ice skating with Enji and that the dream cut out just before the big accident. Something told Shoto he wished she hadn't agreed to his words. "I promise nothing will hurt you," Shoto leaned down and kissed her on the head to reassure her.

His kiss sent warm pulses across her body. "That's what I'm worried about," (Y/n) clutched onto his arm. "YOU were covered in blood. I'd hate to see you die protecting me. It'd be as if I killed you myself."

"It's what heroes do (Y/n)," he claimed. "I'm your hero and you're mine... Never forget that."

"I won't," (Y/n) sighed. "What were you crying about last night anyways?" Her eyes locked with Shoto's and they screamed pure glistening concern. "Was it about Touya? You seemed just fine after we got on the train last night."

"The brother I looked up to most abandoned me to be a villain (Y/n)," Shoto's eyes and voice went dark. "How else would I react?"

"Of course both of our brothers had to turn villain," (Y/n) groaned. "I'm really starting to agree with your mom on the whole soulmate thing... Why else are we dealing with the same crap at the same time?"

"My mom said what?" Shoto blinked.

"Forget it."

With their feelings out, the couple managed to somewhat eat before going to their bedrooms to help one another pack for the extended trip ahead. Missing school to go on an investigation with the Number One Hero of all people. And with her boyfriend too! Hopefully this trip doesn't make a turn for the worst.

Day one of investigation into the League of Villains and their connection to Shun's attack led to... Nowhere. Everyday since Shun's attack, there's been more than five accounts of arsen spreading across Japan. Each scene consisted of an endless trail of burn victims and the victims were petty criminals or members of gangs. Each and every one of them. As far as the Pros know, only one member of the League can manipulate fire. Sadly, Shoto and (Y/n) knew exactly who said person was. They figured Dabi was running around doing his fair share of investigating to find his best friend's assailant. Weirdly enough, while many pros were disgusted by the idea of someone running around and burning people to death, Shoto and (Y/n) weren't phased. Shoto, Dabi and (Y/n) all had the same goal in mind.

Day two, it was Monday now. Shoto and (Y/n) were officially missing school to help out with the investigation. (Y/n) made the consecutive decision to keep Shoto in the Dabi loop, but very loosely. The subject was eating Shoto alive and (Y/n) couldn't bear to let Shoto deal with these deeply rooted problems of his alone. That's why (Y/n) will be the one to communicate with Dabi at the end of each day, not Shoto. Shoto expressed how thankful he was for such. He even went as far as to admit he'd rather forget Touya as a whole. Now, with the burn victims out of the way, today Enji has Shoto and (Y/n) investigating the scene of Shun's attack. Well, forensic scientists and policemen already investigated. It's up to the two of them to further investigate by questioning the nearby businesses, working with forensic scientists to reenact and figure out how the crime would've played out and follow the clues to Shun's assailant. Alas, no luck once again. All witnesses and the evidence claimed the same thing: The assailant was a female, light on her feet, came out of nowhere and disappeared as quickly as the crime was enacted.

Day three, Tuesday. Mr. Aizawa and Shinsou decided to get in on the case and came up with new evidence and leads practically out of thin air. To go over said evidence, Endeavor worked overtime the night before and it wasn't until this morning that the couple were informed. "Why're we going to an evidence locker?" (Y/n) questioned as Shoto helped her to put on her cloak to finish her heroic look.

"Your brother's belongings from the attack are... Questionable," Enji admits with a scowl. "Besides, Eraserhead and Hawks both have new information for us."

"I thought you didn't play well with others..." (Y/n) thought.

"He doesn't," Shoto agrees.

"Not like I have a choice when it comes to the Bird Brain," Enji shook his head before igniting his facial hair. "Time to leave!" His voice shook the pictures on the walls of the hotel room.

"Yeah okay," (Y/n) didn't dare to make the man wait any longer.

One quick car ride later, the three heroes arrived at a high security police station. Weirdly enough, (Y/n) recognized the place from three decades back. Back then, the place was much smaller than it was now, yet still brand new. Times really do change.

Through winding hallways, Enji was granted clearance into the evidence locker where Hawks, Eraserhead and Shinsou await within. "Good morning Eraserhead," (Y/n) bowed as it was respectful to call her teacher by his professional name within public despite it not actually being in 'public'. He bowed his head in return as she turned to Shinsou. "Morning to you too Shinsou..." She greeted her peers. "I had no idea you two were even involved in the case. I thought everything had to be low key since well... Shun asked."

"The case IS on the down low," Eraserhead mentioned in annoyance. "If it wasn't, there'd be many more Pros involved in the case."

"I see," (Y/n) hummed. "So... Um... What're we doing here?"

"Hawks has been working undercover as a villain for a while now," Eraserhead hummed. "Apparently the League is scrambling now that Shun is dead in the public eye," nothing new to (Y/n) or Shoto. Dabi's mentioned countless times that nothing's going well in his position ever since Shun's 'murder.' "Shun's last words before he was forced into hospital custody was that his family was in danger if anyone were to know he's alive... Hawks," the man shifted the attention to the blonde with crimson wings.

Hawks was stroking the hairs on his chin. "There was a master plan circulating that the League and many others were planning to take down the Renora News Company and claim it as their own. Apparently they had a firm grip around Shun as he's a member of that family. That or... He knew vital information that would ruin them if he were to leak any intel. Either way, the villains are scrambling around with their key component out of commission." Shoto and (Y/n) were amazed not only by the amount of information Hawks just dished out but by how well he was keeping his stature. The last time they saw him, Hawks had the mindset of an eleven year old. This man was a master at acting.

It came as a relief that the Pros had no clue that Shun was previously a villain. "If they're scrambling... That means my family is safe for now... Right?" (Y/n) stared at the grown men ahead of her in search of reassurance.

"If they're scrambling, then yes," Eraserhead agreed. "Unfortunately we still have no idea what their plan to take down the company consists of. For all we know, the boy disappearing could just be a minor bump in the road for them."

"I'm gonna pass out," (Y/n) began to sway. The thought that her entire family is in danger was taking its toll on her body from her hands, to her feet, to the way her vision blurred more and more with each passing second. (Y/n)'s been ripped apart for days on end over her brother and now the entire family might be stolen out from under her.

(Y/n) began to fall, "(Y/n)!" Shoto and Shinsou both shot out to catch her. They both each took one arm and managed to prevent her fall. (Y/n) just barely hung onto her consciousness as she worked with the boys to lie down. "(Y/n), are you okay?" Shoto kept brushing the hairs out from her face to retain visual contact.

"First Shun now them..." She trembled. "I don't wanna be alone..."

"You aren't alone," Shoto embraced her loosely. "You have me and Shinsou and everyone else at the dorms."

"I ask that you start referring to me by my given name," Shinsou snapped.

"Keep out of this!" Shoto snapped as now wasn't' the time for requests.

"Take her to the car," Endeavor grumbled.

Eraserhead nodded, "I can agree that everything is too much for her to handle taking her past into consideration."

Shoto's lips pressed into a fine line. "Okay," Shoto began to lift the girl up. "Can you stand (Y/n)?"

"Yeah..." Her voice shook as she began to pick herself. Her body felt as if it was shutting down little by little starting with her feet and joints and spreading. They worked together to reach the car where Shoto lied (Y/n) down across the seats. She was fighting back her tears, yet they came out anyways. "First that dream and then this..." She hid her face behind her cloak.

"You can't always believe dreams as fact," Shoto crawled atop (Y/n) and brushed her cloak away to reveal her tear stained face. He pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. "I said it once and I'll say it again... I'll always stand by you (Y/n). Do me a favor and forget that dream of yours."

(Y/n) too closed her eyes and hugged Shoto to bring himself closer. "When did I become so weak?"

"You saw me the other day," Shoto opened up his eyes. "Losing those we love would break anyone."

"You're doing a lot better than me..."

"Because heroes are supposed to smile despite everything they've gone through," Shoto retracted entirely. "Come back in when you want, I WILL get to the bottom of everything with or without you (Y/n). Crying isn't going to solve any of our problems."

SLAM!

Shoto closed the car door with such great strength that the vehicle rocked violently. (Y/n) sat up in the seat, rubbing the tears from out of her eyes, and stared at the door in astonishment. "That was the most passive aggressive way to tell someone to grow the fuck up," While it isn't the first time Shoto's gotten annoyed with her, he surely got his point across. Sometimes, (Y/n) wishes Shoto was honest like this more often. When she was with Enji, he didn't hesitate to tell her to knock an act or grow up much like now. That's where being an overconfident and independent girl like (Y/n) has its downfalls. When she falls, you can expect her to be overdramatic but it only means she hit rock bottom. Sometimes, you need someone to tell you what to do.

Eventually, (Y/n) went back into the station and when she did, Shoto and Hitoshi filled her in. "Hawks nabbed the League's stash of Quirk Erasing bullets when he was with them," Shinsou held that of a small metallic case. He firmly squeezed the clasp and the lid popped open. Four red metallic bullets lied within a bed of perfectly shaped foam fitted to their shape. "While the bullets aren't vital to the League of Villain's plans to take over RNS (Renora News Station), Hawks speculated that they planned to use a bullet on the mission since they're normally under lock and key."

"Quirk erasing bullets eh?" (Y/n) took the case from Hitoshi's hands and looked them over. Such tiny bullets, such dire consequences. "Imagine if these were around when I was younger... I would've taken a hit in a heartbeat," she closed the case reluctantly. "I can't count how many times I got hypothermia as a kid." And a deeply rooted fear of hospitals in the meantime.

"These shouldn't even exist," Hitoshi snatched the bullets back in disgust. He wasn't welcoming of her response.

"To be fair," Shoto spoke up. "If I got a hold of one of those bullets before I met Midoriya, I too would've taken one." That moment in the sports festival came back to Shoto's mind. Midoriya, battered, remained upon his feet with the wildest look of pure determination in his eyes. 'It's your power Todoroki!!!' he screamed to the heavens in realization of Shoto's reluctance to use his father's half of his quirk. Since then, Shoto's been more welcoming of his fire side but is still more reliant on his mother's side.

"The hell..." Hitoshi growled.

"These bullets aren't that bad of an idea," She sighed. "Use them on criminals, people who have life threatening quirks like me and so on. If they were used for the right purposes, they wouldn't be so bad." Kirishima and Midoriya filled (Y/n) in on the backstory of these bullets. Apparently the two of them fought a mafia boss who specialized in drug trade. Quirk negating and destructive bullets came out from that scary phase in time and the sad part is, that battle over these very bullets happened not even six months ago. Hitoshi was still giving his most disapproving look yet. "Look Shin-" (Y/n) caught herself. "Hitoshi," She corrected. "Look Hitoshi... I agree that the bullets are bad but they're only bad in the wrong hands."

"I can agree with that," Hitoshi hummed as he lied the bullets within a heavily protected case of bulky steel. He spun around and picked up a few vials of this mysterious black substance. Hitoshi wasn't even moving the vials besides picking them up, and yet, the black substance within was crawling up the glass walls and bubbling. "These though... We have no clue what they are," the violet haired boy admits. "The hospital found these in Shun's pockets the day he was attacked and turned them into the pros. Eraser thinks this further connects him to the League. He could be a drug dealer for all we know."

Shoto shrugged, "could be why that girl attacked him." (Y/n) was beginning to internally freak once more. She's terrified that they'll figure out her brother was a former villain or... Dabi could've been lying and Shun was playing spy with the heroes. But... Shoto isn't wrong. Whatever's in those vials could be the precise reason why he was attacked in the first place. Shoto somehow understood (Y/n)'s internal battle and took one of the vials. "I'm taking one of these. I know someone who's crazy enough to figure out what these are."

(Y/n) let out a breath of relief. "That Hatsume girl?"

"Touya," Shoto mouthed.

"Oh..." Brilliant idea though.

"Do whatever," Hitoshi shook his head. "We can't get anyone to experiment on them anyways..."

"Thanks Hitoshi," (Y/n) gave her cousin a gentle smile.

"Why do you want to be called Hitoshi now anyways?" Shoto questioned out of the blue.

"Cause," Hitoshi tuts.

"Cause what?" Shoto pestered. (Y/n) began to facepalm as Shoto didn't get the hint to back off.

"You'll know why in a few weeks," the boy waved the couple off to join his master.

"Okay then..." Shoto glared at Hitoshi.

"Took the words out of my mouth."

That marked the final day of investigation for the students. The Pros were looking into the case even further in the meantime. Hitoshi, Shoto and (Y/n) returned to UA in time to finish off the week's classes. Since Mr. Aizawa was gone working on the case, Present Mic and All Might were substituting. All Might was already co-teaching the class with Mr. Aizawa but now he's had to practically step up as the full time teacher since Mic isn't all that... What's the word? Focussed. On the other hand, Midoriya was missing out on class. According to Uraraka, Iida and Ashido, he hasn't been taking part in class over the last few days but he's in the dorms. Something about an 'injury' of sorts yet everyone says he looks and acts just fine. He won't even tell anyone how he got hurt in the first place.

Shoto really wanted to check in on him first thing when they get back to the dorms.