~Toga's POV~

Running with Iris, her hand clasped tightly in my own, felt so invigorating. I'd never felt this sense of freedom and elation before. Her warm hand in mine, gave me strength. I felt like I could run all the way around the world. I glanced over at her as we ran and felt a stutter in my chest at her radiant smile. Her long snow white hair bounced in lustrous waves, flapping cinematically in the wind as we ran.

Her breathtaking blood red eyes flicked over in my direction and a faint flush spread across her pale cheeks, her smile faltering slightly as if she were embarrassed to have been caught enjoying herself. We slowed to a walk once we'd gotten far enough away from the nice part of the city. I gripped Iris' hand even tighter as I surveyed the surrounding dingy alley. Glancing back at the entryway it was like night and day. Outside of the alley there were people in suits going about their daily lives, talking rapidly on phones in the early morning sun. The alley was dim and dark, rats congregated near the overflowing dumpsters. A homeless man lay wrapped in newspapers a few steps from the dumpster, I couldn't tell if he was sleeping or dead. Neon lights glowed on the path ahead advertising various seedy businesses that appeared to only have entrances in the dingy alleyway.

"Playing hooky, girls?" A voice sounded from the alleyway entry behind us.

I turned my head to see three shabbily dressed adults approaching us from behind, cutting off our escape back to civilized society. Anxiousness bubbled up inside of me. Iris gave my hand a gentle squeeze and tugged me a step back so she was closer to the approaching adults.

"We have nothing for you, get lost." Her voice was cool and dismissive, she was completely unshaken by what had happened earlier.

"Ah, don't be so sure about that, pretty little things like you have plenty to offer." The woman in the middle of the group smiled. "We'll pay." She flashed some cash in our direction.

I felt a spark of rage at her words and the hungry way she was eyeing Iris, as if she were undressing her with her eyes. The palm of my hand suddenly itched and I had a feeling the only way it was going to stop was if I had a knife in my hand. I reached for the knife I'd stashed in my backpack.

Iris seemed to be contemplating something and for a moment I thought she was actually tempted by their offer, "It wouldn't be a bad idea to have some cash on hand, I was planning on ignoring you assholes and walking away but I think we'll be taking your money first."

It didn't sound like she was accepting their offer but the adults didn't quite pick up on that bit, they all grinned, looking eager and moved closer not fully comprehending her words.

"Iris?" I asked unsure as she released my hand.

She turned to me with a wink, "I got this."

My heart stuttered in my chest. "S-sure."

As the woman in the center got within reach, she extended a hand to Iris, reaching for her soft luscious hair. A look of confusion crossed her face as she suddenly froze up, her body stiffening. I could see her veins beginning to bulge up on her face, neck and revealed chest. "What the-?" She cut off with a choked gasp.

Her companions looked to her curiously before looking at Iris, I could see her blood red eyes, fixed in determination, glowing faintly as she activated her quirk, reflected in their terror filled eyes. "Listen, we don't want any trouble." One of the men whimpered and turned to flee, but he froze in place with a gasp, his body stiffening up much like his counterparts.

"No, you wanted victims." Iris said coolly. "You won't find any of those here."

I felt a thrilling tickle in my stomach as I watched all of their veins begin to bulge and quiver as if the blood inside of them was slowly trying to fight its way to the surface. I'd seen Iris work, I knew she could strike much quicker, she was drawing this out on purpose, to torment them. I felt giddy and weirdly faint and realized this must be what people meant by swooning in literature.

Iris stepped forward, maintaining her control over all three of them and swiped the bundle of cash from the woman. "If you don't wish to die, I suggest you all remove yourselves from my sight as quickly as possible." She released them all from her hold and I giggled as they all smacked into one another in their attempt to flee. Iris tapped her foot, "Three...Two..." I felt my cheeks flush with heat as I watched her.

The adults squealed and flung themselves in the dumpster to get out of Iris' sight and I clutched at my sides in laughter. Iris smirked and pocketed the money before turning to me.

"Shall we?" She extended her hand to me.

I placed my hand in hers, giving a brief pause as I realized her skin felt warmer to the touch than before. She'd used her quirk a lot. I glanced at her worriedly and noticed she looked a little feverish. We turned to continue on our way. I spotted a man with greasy pale hair standing in the doorway of a very shady looking establishment watching the pair of us with interest. He nodded his head to us in a casual greeting before retreating into the establishment.

Iris frowned but continued on her way. She was so calm and collected about what had happened this morning. I was amazed at how quickly she'd thought out a plan. After hiding the bodies, we found somewhere far from the dump site to toss our phones and other trackable devices. Now we were on the lookout for shelter and a place to lie low.

"Iris?" I spoke her name softly in concern as I noticed her footsteps begin to slow.

"I'm fine, don't worry." She offered me a small smile, though the flush in her cheeks and the glassiness of her blood red eyes gave her away.

She'd been using her quirk a lot today, I didn't know a lot about her quirk or any of its limitations. "Were those three too much?" I asked her curiously.

She chuckled softly, "not even slightly." There was still a faint glow in her eyes, she was still using her quirk, thinking back it had been there practically all day. What was she doing?

"Are you still using your quirk now?" I asked her quietly.

"Just casting out my senses for any blood bags heading in our direction." She replied, her voice sounding strained. Had she been using her quirk all day to make sure no one got close to us?

"You're amazing." A dreamy sigh escaped me.

Her already flushed cheeks deepened in color. "...not really..." She grumbled, embarrassed.