Kirishima's PoV

Hearing this man talk about me and my relationship with Katsuki made me incredibly angry. The adrenaline in my veins and the concern for Bakugou that had driven me until just now didn't make it any better. This was the man who drove Katsuki to fight against me even though he had lowered his sword! I felt how my anger became rampant and the growling from my throat became more and more animalistic.

I took a step forward, the swords raised, to express my opinion to this man. But Katsuki's arm held me back. Surprised, I looked at him and caught his warning gaze. Hesitantly I lowered the swords but did not put them back.

The man of the Country Guard watched us both closely and he seemed to realize something gradually. "Bakugou," he asked with a deep frown. "Do you love this dragon's brood?"

I saw Bakugou's ears turning red and smiled a little at the sight. The dragonslayer was caught off guard by the question and I saw him swallow hard before he looked the man in the eye and nodded.

The man in front of us brushed an exhausted hand through his long black hair and then looked back at me. I had given up my position, but still held the swords in my hand. "How did you do that, Kirishima?" he asked and watched me insistently.

I got stiff. Did he accuse me of something? "What do you mean by that?" I snapped.

"The Bakugou I know doesn't care about anybody and he doesn't trust anybody that fast," he just said and ignored my question.

"I'm tired of having to prove to everyone that I'm not up to anything," I shouted upset, but put my swords back. "Everyone mistrusts me and expects the worst of me! I am a good person! I've never done anything to anybody," I shouted and tugged my red hair. Suddenly all my anger had vanished, and I only felt how deeply it hurt me. It was just so unfair! I tried hard to hold back the tears. Now don't cry Eijirou! Not in the presence of this man!

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the man of the guard taking a step towards me, but Katsuki held him back.

"I'm sorry, Kirishima. That was unfair of me," he said quietly, and I looked up surprised. Did he just show empathy?

I clenched my teeth. "It's okay. I'm used to it," I said in a bitter tone. But I forced myself to smile a little. Then I felt Katsuki's hand grabbing mine and holding it tightly.

"I haven't introduced myself," said the Country Guard's man with a little smile. "My name is Shouta Aizawa. I am the commander of a small unit of the Country Guard. I don't want to give you the illusion that I trust you, Kirishima. But I trust Bakugou's judgment and I think I have a good knowledge of human nature and I feel that you have no bad intentions. You have convinced Bakugou of yourself and that's already a huge achievement."

He gave the dragonslayer a sideways glance and then clicks his tongue, annoyed. "You want to flee the land to the north, don't you?" he asked and looked at us both. I nodded hesitantly. "Then I should tell you that at the end of the Niwa Lake half the royal military is waiting for you," he says calmly.

My heart skipped a beat and also Katsuki looked at Aizawa with a frightened expression. "How can that be?" he asked.

Aizawa looked at him frowning. "Kyotawa is a military base. After your escape from Ariko, a message was sent to the commanding officer of the city. They've all mobilized from the surrounding area."

"Fuck!" Katsuki growled and I flinched when he kicked a stone away angrily.

"You should have anticipated that," Aizawa said in an educating tone and the dragonslayer gave him an irritated look.

There was a moment of tense silence. Aizawa had warned us and given us an advantage. Nevertheless, our situation was more than serious. Because how the hell were we supposed to get past a whole army? "What are we going to do now?" I asked hesitantly when neither of them spoke.

Katsuki gritted his teeth, obviously at a loss. Then he looked at Aizawa. "You're the strategist, so tell us what to do," he growled.

Aizawa frowned, apparently not very pleased with Bakugou's tone. "I'm trying to save your ass, but I can't do magic either," he said calmly. "Still, it's not your goal to defeat the whole army, just to get past it. And in case of need right through."

I was scared when I looked at him. "Do I understand correctly that you are asking us to face it? Only the two of us can't compete against so many soldiers! Even if it's only about getting past them."

Aizawa looked at me seriously. "What else could you do? If you go further north, you will inevitably encounter the army. In the east is Kyotawa and in the south await you the henchmen, of whom I am only the harbinger. And if you want to go to the west ... you must have plenty of supplies, because beyond this fertile area nothing but wasteland stretches to the sea. Logistically, it will hardly be possible to do this." He brushed through the long black hair again. "I cannot support you without being persecuted myself, but I can make them give up their search for you afterwards."

Katsuki looked up. "You could do that?" he asked in surprise.

Aizawa snorted. "You underestimate my authority. If I declare that you are no longer to be caught up, I will be listened to. But you should cross the border as soon as possible after you've left the army behind. If you fly, you could make it in a day. But for that you just have to pass the army." The commander turned to me. "The key will be you."

I swallowed. "Me?"

"Yes, you are well protected by your scales and your fighting power in your dragon shape is enormous. Do not believe that you can slip past them unnoticed. You will be noticed. They are attentive, trained soldiers."

"Couldn't we just leave all the sneaking around and fly off immediately?" I asked with a frown.

Aizawa was silent for a moment. "Could be. Maybe it doesn't really make much difference, but since your situation is already difficult, I'd take every advantage you can get."

"Don't talk in riddles, spit it out," Katsuki grumbled.

"The first advantage would be the moment of surprise. They expect you, but don't know exactly when you're coming. When you fly towards them, you are visible from far away and they can prepare themselves for you. The second advantage would be darkness. That way you could be spotted later as well. Every second they don't notice you is an advantage," he explained.

Another moment of silence reigned as we thought about what had been said. "Okay," my mate finally grumbled. "Then we should be able to walk the rest of the way by tomorrow evening."

Aizawa nodded. "That's doable. But first we should go to sleep. Do you already have a camp?"

I nodded. "Come with us."