Day Three: Nightfall

Izuku founded himself in the lobby just finishing washing up from a long patrol period. His muscles were sore all around and even tired from today's hiking.

He gladly appreciated the time to rest. His legs and lower back were the main targets of his fatigue. Izuku breathed a sigh of relaxation. The wet towel hanging on his almost dried hair.

Supper was already served an hour ago and he had another hour to do whatever he wanted or needed before it was time to turn in. He used his towel to continues his drying while looking at the distance. His eyes were generally fixed at his and Kouta's room. The child went to sleep already, Izuku was happy the boy had developed good habits. Going to bed early is the prime example right at the moment and Izuku knows he should follow the said example.

Except something was keeping him up.

How was it that if he didn't mess up, then Kota and Izuku wouldn't be here, well he most likely wouldn't be here. Not that he didn't welcome the chance to work with a hero team that was currently let him stay( even as a punishment). It was the fact Izuku could have prevented a lot of things. So many things that now they even weigh on his thoughts.

He needed to be better, it wasn't helping that he kept on this back and forth of doubt. Saving Katsuki, taking care of Kota, finishing the Previsionary License Exam, and fighting Katsuki. What a trip.

Leaning back, he took his eyes off the room and looked at the ceiling above. Things he wasn't even sure of anymore. For example the straining temporary mentorship from Mandalay. Ever since the incident, she has been less of herself when Izuku found himself around her. He wanted to ask Pixie-Bob or even Tiger on any reason why but he would always stop himself. Izuku was smart enough to make educated guesses. It was a trust issue, who would blame him. Getting another person's nephew involved in an incident.

Izuku clenched his hands together, interlocking his fingers tightly. He didn't like this feeling of guilt, so much so that this was the second strongest feeling of misery. The first was when All Might ceased to continue as a number one hero. As the Symbol of Peace. How was Izuku going to rise up when every turn he took was a lucky break or chaotic turn for the worse?

As much as he wanted to sleep it all away, he couldn't. This was his mind fighting his will.

With a sad yet distant look, he turns to face the entrance. Maybe it does some good would get some last-minute air.

Getting up, Izuku slipped into his red shoes and tiredly trying them. Bringing the towel around his neck and stepping out of the building.

With fall around the corner, the temperature was cooling off. The breeze was gentle. Izuku breathed deeply before taking further steps towards the tree line.

Staying there, looking at nothing especially, only taking in the nightfall and forest itself. Thoughts and memories trailed back a little over a month ago.

The adrenaline was nothing he ever experienced in all of his life. The confrontation with Katsuki didn't amount to the terror Izuku felt when the villains attack the camp.

Feeling his arms, the once torn, flimsily, and broken limbs were useless. Izuku would sometimes scold himself for not being capable enough that night. Sure there were other variables that took place. The fatigue from the training prior to the attack, his lacking in control of the situation against the villains, and the emotional distress he allowed during the whole ordeal.

Nights of waking up in cold sweating on his bed, leaving the stench of fear and vulnerability behind. They started appearing less and less as the time spent with Kota increased. Eventually, the night terrors were almost absent from his life. Almost.

Yet when he looks at the dark forest now, he didn't feel weakened or scared. Only determined. Izuku accepted that the hero life will not be a pleasant one. While some do it for the fame or the glory, others do it for the sake of being a hero.

Nodding to himself, the teen was about to turn in towards the building until he heard a sound.

It was faint but it sounded like a brief exhale of air. Looking around the tree line, Izuku walked closer to get a better sense of where it was coming from.

Somewhere to his west. Another sound, this time a distant shout. Instantly his mind turning its ignition. The teen was suspicious at first, he didn't know if it was his imagination or there was a person out there. Considering he didn't see any of the heroes after supper, he would assume they all were doing their own thing.

He walked towards the sound, after a minute or two. Now he was at least several yards away from the building.

The shouts and yells were more noticeable. Eventually, Izuku found himself before a clearing. He saw someone out there. Focusing his eyes, he saw red hair going against the wind, brown eyes focused on whatever caught its attention.

Sporting a blue shirt and black sweats, she performed a high kick allowing full sight of boots from her hero costume.

Throwing strike after strike, each blow hit the air. Her kicks were swift and snappy that it made Izuku quite admirable at the form. Twist of her body to perform more complex yet excellent hits. Her body arched slightly before exercising more techniques that were unknown to the teen. The most he can compare it to was a feline parleying.

Ending the session with a low stance, her hair covering the eyes. She had her fingers imitate the claws of any kind of cat.

Izuku was amazed at her performance. Not even blinking for a moment. Things he saw today was a great insight for comparing the form he used.

Sosaki-San. A woman with the nimble and elegant form with the intention of lethal strikes. She was leagues above him. All thanks to her experience and unknown talents. The teen was further motivated to become the best hero he can be. That would mean, taking lessons, learning advice, and cultivate it into his own.

Walking out under the moonlight, the clearing was bright with no clouds blocking the lunar sphere in the starry night sky.

'Midoriya?' A voice came into his head.

The boy regains his awareness, now the woman was looking at him.

"Hi, Mandalay." The greeting was added by a calm voice of his own. Some parts of him were still in a daze of what he just observed.

The off-duty heroine stood up and walked towards the teen. She grasps the collar of her shirt bringing up to her forehead which was one of the many places where sweat was visible to Izuku.

"What brings you out here?" The stroll was short but she stopped a few meters from the teen.

"Just came to take in the breeze," Izuku said a bit nervous at the seemly stoic tone of the woman.

"Is that right? You sure you weren't spying on me?" She winked. Bringing out her facade.

"N-No! I-I mean sure I was looking at you, but I didn't mean to come off like that", his face shocked with red hue coming forth. Waving his hands to deny the claim.

"Oh? And what were you looking at?" Flirtatious curiosity spoke amidst the cool air.

"Your form! It was amazing! You moved so swiftly and quickly that it was harder to not blink because I felt like would have missed a thing! The way you danced~" Izuku clamped his mouth shut, he was almost about to stutter his whole analysis of what he thought of Sosaki's feline dance. Seeing this before her, Shino laughed at his silliness. It was unexpected yet reminded her of when the boy first arrives at the summer camp with his class. The track record of any pro hero he came across was worse than any government official who managed their paychecks. Honestly, for a moment she was relieved that the teen didn't end up in U.A's business department. Shino would have felt bad for the upcoming heroes of Izuku's generation if he did so.

Shino scratches her cheek a bit flattered at his rant.
"Well, thanks for that. I didn't expect anyone to be out here lately. Unless they were a lost hiker." She would be a millionaire by now for every thousand yen she would find and rescue/escort lost folks on her private land.

Suddenly it came, the awkward silence, since nothing really could be said, Shino dismisses herself walking past Izuku.

"Wait." She heard the teen spoke. She was close to letting her mask down. Oh well, what're another few minutes.

'Yes? What's on your mind?' Her telepathic message caught the teen off guard. He regained himself immediately. "I...can you give me some advice? About my fighting style?" His eyes looked at hers. She knew he was uncomfortable with just talking to her and maybe it was her fault for teasing him. She will just need to be less aggressive with the boy.

"Sure, but now is not the best time. Maybe tomorrow in the morning before we set out for patrol." She accepted with a smile on her face.

Izuku saw her turn to heads for the building and he followed suit. He was relieved that Mandalay didn't turn him down on this request. The teen knew just how much he needs to improve before anything big happens when he returns to Yuuei.

Once the pair entered the building. Both of them said goodnight and retreated to their separate rooms.

Upon closing the sliding door, Shino was greeted by a smirk from her co-hero. Ryuko "Pixie-Bob" Tsuchikawa. "Soo...what was that huh? I wasn't expecting you to come back an half-an-hour late. Oh! Don't tell me! You and him! Are actually! Oh, my Gawd! I need to tell~"

'Shut up' a cold command from Shino's telepathy got Ryuko to stop her rambling.

The blonde looked at her feline-sister in arms, she clearly saw the unamused look on the red-haired woman's face.

"Just kidding! No need to be all moody!" Ryuko brushed off. The blonde thought something was up with her friend. Lately, she had been less herself. With each passing day, she was more focused on the two boys of their group. Mainly the teenager. She sighed.

Shino got into the shower in their shared room and washed up. After several minutes, the woman came out with a towel wrapping around her body. She was carrying the previous outfit to the hamper with her other dirty laundry.

Once Sosaki changed into a simple tank top and her panties. Ryuko spoke up.

"So what's the deal this time? I thought we solved this dilemma two days ago?"

Shino sat on the edge of her bed before laying down.

"You shouldn't joke like that. He's sixteen. If your so interested go get him yourself after you 'marked' a couple of months back didn't you?" The blonde woman chuckled. "Oh~, I thought he was yours? With all the silent looks you give him." Shino didn't say anything. Ryuko gave in. "Okay! All jokes and teases aside, what's bothering you? Seriously you used to be fine now your just distant ever since Kitten arrived?"

Shino didn't look at Ryuko only she kept her eyes on the ceiling. Thinking of what to say exactly.

"Well?"

"I have doubts."

The blonde quirked an intrigued eyebrow. "About?"

"Midoriya. I just don't like it. Every day, every since the attack against him and Kota, I started thinking a lot more. I don't think I should have Kota and I go back with him. With all, that's happened in the last few months. We lost a teammate, the number one hero is gone, and now my nephew getting into all of this. I am not saying that I don't appreciate the kid for all the help Kota got but even so..." She didn't want Kota to return to the hero joy so soon. "What if it's Midoriya next or me, or anyone else on this team. To die or at the very least getting severely injured next. It was hard just to have Kota recover from my cousin's death. I have doubts that even with me there, even with Yuuei's security, even with Midoriya's assistance. I just don't think it's a good idea to have him go back." Shino confessed. The feelings of worry ran through her veins. Before taking care of Kota, she was mostly worried about her team and herself. Although with the added emotional weight of a kid who she grew to care for a year and still ongoing. It seems to hold her chest down.

"I get it. Yours worried about not just Midoriya but Kota as well. About the consequences of our deaths. What your feeling is natural. Even still, think about your nephew. He is happy. Let him enjoy the innocence he has left in him because once that's gone. He will possibly have to face the real world in a different light and perspective from what you and Kitten see."

Shino didn't say anything just processing those words. Ryuko is normally a hyper woman, very little self-consciousness, well unless you mention her age. It's in moments like these when the blonde woman is mellowed out, she is actually a wise person just like the rest of her team but given their own experiences. While she is a bit laxer compared to Tiger. She knows what needs to be said, after all, she is the voice of their four-man team.

"It's normal to have doubts, everyone has them. How do think I still haven't found my mate at this age yet?" She earned an amused look from Shino. Ryuko waved her own example off. "What I mean is, don't let the worries of  yesterday affect you today otherwise you may regret it tomorrow."

"You're just tired. Get some rest think about some more. Whatever decision you make, I am with you Shino."

"Right. Thanks, Ryuko." The leader saw her teammate turn off the lamp on the small dresser. The room was dark, not wanting to bother with this too much. Shino turned to her side and went to sleep, hoping to get a good nights rest.

Day Four: Before Dawn

Izuku was heating up his body getting ready for the day ahead of him. Warming himself up with minutes of jogging around the clearing he came across last night, some practice drills with his quirk in the trees and some stretching.

It was four-thirty A.M. Still dark out, but that didn't bother the teen. This was usually around the time he would wake up nowadays.

'It seems your warmed up.' A message came into his head. Looking around, he didn't see anyone. He knew the only person it could be is the telepathic-user.

The pressing of grass and branches gave away the woman's direction. Izuku saw her in the same workout gear.

"Alright, what did you need help with exactly?"

"Oh...um. My fighting style. You see, I mimic other styles in order to compensate for my lack of control over my quirk. I developed a shoot-style for my kicks since my arms are kinda frail. Ever since the attack..." Izuku rubs his arm, specifically the area where his scar was.

Shino was not blind to it. She came across many heroes were approaching an early retirement because their bodies couldn't function the way it used too. Whether it was quirk overuse or irreplaceable injuries, she knew. Stepping forward, she was thinking of a way to help the teen.

"My best option is to have you try out the Pussycats dance," Shino said thinking aloud.

"Dance?" Shino nodded at Izuku's question.

"Yes, while it's called that, it really is just our own way of fighting."

The next several minutes follows Izuku stiffly and clumsily practicing along with Shino. Their style was essentially kickboxing with some other striking methods in the mix.

Eventually, after about a few hundred reps and warming up, Izuku finally got the rhythm and "danced" with Shino still not matching her in speed.

"Hah...good. Now try using your quirk."

Doing as instructed, Izuku channeled One for All throughout his body. He began to conduct the same drills but with the enhanced movement and force.

Shino hummed at the sight. She noticed that the teen wasn't as fast as the incident with Bakugo.

For the next several minutes of clumsily controlling his balance, to Shino's humor, was frustrating to Izuku.

'Maybe he isn't so bad. But still...' Shino had been staring at Izuku even after he had just finished. Not noticing her own action, the teen eventually realizes he was in her line of sight.

"Mandalay?" He walked to her. Izuku was getting the concern that the woman was not even blinking.

"Sosaki-San?" This time he got a reaction.

"Mm? Oh sorry about that. Just spaced out for a bit."

Izuku was not convinced so he pushed a bit.

"Are you sure? Is something wrong?" He took another step further. The heroine stood her ground.

"Yes, I am fine. Thank you. Anyway, just work on those drills and stretches to better suit your combat style." Mandalay turned her back towards Deku, she almost let her facade down again, albeit subtly. Before she reached the tree lines leading to the direction of her team's private headquarters, he heard footsteps pacing towards her.

"Wai-!" Izuku was cut short when Shino instinctively low kicked him. However, due to him activating full cowl at the last second just to avoid it, he had more power send off to the soles of his feet. The end result was him unintentionally tackling his temporary mentor.

The pair landed roughly against the dirt grass.

Izuku groaned before pushing himself up slightly. He shook his head, regaining himself. His lower body was relaxing some something soft. Opening his eyes, he widens his eyes with an embarrassed expression.

He was laying on top of Mandalay's backside. His lower body position in such a subjective manner. Izuku was speechless just like the woman below him. She felt his weight on top of her. Shino also felt something poking her rear. Granted she thanked Kami it was flaccid but given at any moment it will become erect. All because there was a teenager owning it.

"Ow..." Shino did her best to ignore it and push up and away from the teen.

"I'm so sorry Sosaki-San! I didn't mean too!" Izuku apologized with a bow on his knees. He was embarrassed but not just him accidentally tackling her but getting a good look at Shino's backside.

Her shirt tucked upward when they fell leaving Izuku a sight of a tone, smooth, and soft backside. No to mention his member had to land on her rear which was too much for the boy to even handle. Shaking his head in disgust. 'Bad! She is a woman who most likely has a lover! Get it together!' Izuku gave one last look at the dirty, sweaty woman before him, who was getting up on her feet.

'Besides, she wouldn't be interested in you in the first place.' Izuku mentally chastised. 'Beautiful'.

Shino had her back towards Izuku again and for another reason. One that she didn't wish to hear but was grateful nonetheless. You see, Mandalay can send her thoughts for miles away but she can also receive thoughts as well. The only trade-off is that it's only a few people at a time in close proximity. This part of her quirk is only available to her if she is in a calm state of mind. To combat it's almost impossible to receive thoughts on villains.

She crossed her arms on her chest, slightly blushing at the praise. At least she was bearable to look at to a teenagers eyes. 'He can look, but he is still young. Doesn't he like any girls his age?' A curious thought that Shino quickly dismissed before shifting her expression to a forgiving one.

"It's alright, you seem to still have energy. As much I want to continue this session, we best head back before the others start to worry." Shino lends Izuku a hand. The teen grasps it firmly as he was pulled up.

"I wanted to say something before we head back."

'What was it?' Shino asked telepathically.

"I just want to say I will be better with Kota." Shino listened with a neutral expression.

"I know "sorry" won't rebuild the trust you gave me looking after him and how I handled the situation that night would be enough reason for you to take him back....but! Please allow me to prove myself to you that I can be capable with your nephew!" Izuku didn't realize he was raising his voice with a mighty plead. That child, he saw himself within Kota and then some. His eyes yearn for a second chance. This internship punishment wasn't enough satisfaction to Izuku, he needed to hear from the woman before him.

Something in Shino snapped.

"Your right, "sorry" won't let me forgive you, Yuuei, and Bakugo. On a professional level, I will be frank, you are too young to be looking after a kid, let alone be responsible for one. Yet the circumstances happen, you did what was right, even if it meant choosing a confronting a comrade and saving a civilian. But that's where your wrong! You should know that a heroes priority is the safety of the people first and foremost. This alone would have given me a reason for a harsher punishment."

'Harsher?' Izuku thought while Shino heard and continued.

"However, on a personal standpoint, I can relate to what your feeling. I too have felt guilty for my lack of responsibility or lack of capabilities with not just kids but people in general. It happens when growing up and experiencing not only in hero work but life in general. So once I and Kota come back with you, that will be your chance." Shino says giving an understanding look towards Izuku.

"Thank you!" Izuku bowed again with a smile on his face.

"Don't thank me, thank Kota for looking up to you." Shino dismisses the gratitude with an admission of the truth. Kota did indeed looked up to Izuku. More than just a hero, a friend, an older brother-like figure. He going as far as to whisper to Shino to buy him red shoes identical to Izuku's.

"Let's go, shall we. We spend a lot of time already then we needed too." Shino suggested getting a nod from the teen who walked side by side with her. Together they kept the topics small and short, mostly Izuku asking more about the Pussycats career and seeing if some facts were true than others. Shino was indeed overwhelmed by the fanboyish nature of Izuku Midoriya. Still, she welcomes this kind of interaction than the odd, uncomfortable atmosphere that plagued them both for most of the internship.

And so, the internship ended with no troubles.

It was time to head back to Yuuei...

"Another month! I am going to miss you kid, take care of yourself, Kitten. See you Shi-Chan!" Ryuko hugged each of the departing members one by one. Giving the boys a goodbye kiss and the lady a hug of good fortune.

"Thank you for your instruction Pixie-Bob! Don't worry, in another month Shino-san and Kota will back before you know it!" Izuku reassures the terry blonde.

"Aw Kitten your such a sweetheart, you know Shino, he is a keeper." Ryuko whisperers to Shino.

'Enough out of you. We need to leave.'

"Okay, Okay. See you when you get back?"

"Definitely."

With goodbyes said and done, the trio made way into the station waiting for their scheduled ride.

"How do feel Kota? About going back to Yuuei?" Izuku asks looking down at his dependent.

"It's cool. Can't wait to see you in action again." Kota said with a blush of his embarrassment. It got a chuckle out of Shino and an endearing smile out of Izuku.

The teen turned his attention to the beautiful woman standing on the left of Kota. "How about you? I know your last visit was um...unexpected. But do you like the idea of teaching other students?"

"I am more or less neutral to the idea. If EarserHead wants me to teach or help out, then that's what I will do. But I ain't that great in your normal school curriculums."

Izuku perked in interest.

"Oh? Why is that?"

"I wasn't what you call a "model" student back in my teen years." Shino got Izuku curious. However before he could ask more, the train stopped before them opening the doors. It was time to head home...

A/N: For those about say something regarding the added traits of Mandalay's quirk, it's a fanfiction.