--= Bakugo's + POV =--

A week had passed already, Todoroki had continuously tried to persuade Kirishima and me to not go, saying this was a suicide mission, and maybe it was, but I'd rather go than never find out what happened to him.

Anything could have happened to him.

My feet tapped impatiently on the ground, the dirt creeping onto the sides of my shoes, I glanced in between Kirishima and Todoroki, Kirishima's face plastered with worry, while the other stood with an unreadable expression.

It wasn't long before Todoroki had turned towards me to open his mouth, but with a quick glare, he decided it was already non-negotiable that we would be going.

"When do you think he'll show up? Maybe he's waiting inside?"

"Nah. One of his friends would've told us by now." Fingers brushing through my hair I let my hand drop to my side, anticipation, and dread swirling inside of the pit of my stomach. I shut my eyes, emitting a heavy sigh trying to breathe out the emotions but it wouldn't be as easy as that.

"Shitty shades always being late."

"It's called being fashionably late, I was packing." Kirishima jolting at the sudden voice, I tilted my head to see none other than the teen with purple hair. He wore an exhausted grin on his lips, and a bag hung over his shoulder.

"Ready to go?" Shinsou extending a hand, he beckoned us to follow him and turned to walk the other way. Glancing between Kirishima and Todoroki, Todoroki scoffed as he walked past me.

"Someone better not get hurt."

"I doubt that will happen unless you try to pull something." A snort escaping Todoroki, he walked closer to Kirishima and I, his eyes scanning the perimeter to see if something would happen.

Pacing towards the back of the building, a shining black bus was towering ominously in wait. Nerves tangling in my chest, my face melted into one of anxiety. Kirishima seeming to notice, he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"It's going to be fine as long as we play things safe, okay?" Scanning Kirishima for any hint to show he was lying, my shoulders dropped relaxed as I nodded. Kirishima's hand slipping off of my shoulder, Shinsou disappeared onto the bus. Having no choice but to follow, I climbed the steps cautiously staring at the bus.

We were the only people on it. Turning to Shinsou, cocking an eyebrow at him, he merely shrugged.

"You said you had trust issues so I didn't invite anyone else." Cocking an eyebrow at the situation Shinsou had put himself into, curiosity seemed to swirl through Kirishima's eyes when I looked over at him.

"What about you?"

"Oh, I can handle myself just fine." A small smile settling onto Shinsou's face, he sat down in the drivers seat before any more questions were able to be asked.

"It's a big bus so sit wherever you like, just don't touch the luggage, it's not mine and if it gets damaged we're all going to be in trouble." Todoroki eyeing the bags suspiciously, he tore his gaze away deciding to sit down a few rows behind Shinsou.

Making sure Shinsou noticed where he sat, Todoroki coughed a few times before keeping his eyes locked around the perimeter, constantly watching.

This fucking kid is being too obvious... we're going to get caught up in something at this point. A growl escaping my lips, I chose a seat leaning more towards the back, putting on a mask so I seemed agitated, I slid into my seat resting my head on my hand, gazing out the window.

Is he going to be there? What if he isn't? 

A cold breeze settled on the back of my neck as my eyes widened in realization, if he wasn't there where would he be? Is he even a shade? What the hell do I do if he IS a shade? Doesn't that make him a criminal?

Thoughts swirled around threateningly,toxic and tragic they gnawed away at my brain hoping to satisfy themselves with a taste of anxiety. I shut my eyes tight, peeking one eye open to gaze out the window to see that we began to move. Turning towards Shinsou to protest, he seemed to already know what I was about to say.

"It's around an hour and a half away, so you can nap if you want. Or you know, not. I don't mind talking if you want to, but if not do what you please."

"How does your whole regiment things work?" Shinsou's eyes widening for a split second, I saw his smirk widen in the mirror as he turned to look at us when the light turned red. 

"Kirishima!" Kirishima turning to me, anxiety glittering in his eyes, he mouthed the word 'sorry' before turning back to Shinsou. A scoff escaping Todoroki's lips, he kept his eyes locked on Shinsou, seeming to be just as curious as he was.

"Oh? Why, are you interested?" Shinsou grinning teasingly, Kirishima flashed him a nervous smile, he nodded slightly a hand raising up to the back of his neck.

"I just want to know so I don't trigger anymore tension."

"Ah, then let me give you a proper explanation." Shinsou clearing his throat for dramatic effect, he faced the road once more as he continued to drive, peeking at us through the mirror every once in a while when he was able to.

"As the government deemed us illegal and highly dangerous, we made I guess what you could call our own mini government which we control for shades all around Japan. We have five regiments, it's ranked from lowest to highest, the highest being the most elite of shades which is the ones who fight against the government for rights and human stuff like that. 

The one we're going to is the lowest rank, this is where the people who don't like to fight and just want to live normal lives like they once did, or, normal enough." A small chuckle escaping Shinsou's lips, he stared off down the road darkly.

"It's my favorite regiment. Not all of them are very happy so, please don't screw anything up that can cause a commotion, these are just families and teens who only want to live their lives. Okay? I'll beat your ass if you don't listen.

 Anyways, the first regiment is called Slumber, then there is Sunless, Midnight, Tenebrific and Omniscient. We're going to each in rank from one to five, and we might visit the fields on five if you're really insistent on looking for them. We have to see the leaders or right hand men since they keep check on who is in their regiment." 

Todoroki perking up at this, he parted his lips slightly, seeming as if he were about to say something but thought better of it and shut himself up. Slowly turning back towards Shinsou, I stiffened to hear Todoroki's monotone voice silence the bus.

"What are the leaders like?"

"The leaders? They're absolute beasts. Monsters compared to regular shades, they're powerful and they rip the government apart. The five of them alone could tear down the government, especially the leader of Omniscient. That guy always scares me." Shinsou chuckled nervously, scratching his chin.

"Are there five leaders?"

"Well, technically yes, but if you're looking for the boss of all of the regiments, that would be five."

"Five?"

"It's just a title, nobody knows his real name, or any of the other leaders for that matter since if anyone did the government could track them down. People need to live normal lives after this is finally over you know?" Nodding slowly, anxiety slowly melting away my insides, I tried my best to shake off the feeling.

What are we getting into?

== + ==

The hour and a half melted away as Shinsou rambled about pretty much anything, he seemed happy to have the company, but there was an odd vibe that always resonated off of him. 

He would talk about anything, the regiment, his family, the dog he used to own, that one time he tripped the leader of Tenebrific and ran away, most stories being harmless and useless information, but entertaining nonetheless.

Shinsou stood up from his seat, his arms raising above his head he stretched lazily before shuffling to the back of the bus, grabbing one or two duffel bags. Cocking an eyebrow suspiciously, Shinsou motioned for us to follow and one by one we got off the bus.

We were stopped by this water fountain that had a mask engraved at the middle rim. The mask was decorated with clouds, a single strike of lightning designed across the eye with burn marks where eye bags would be.

Turning to Shinsou, he was already walking towards the fountain, making a hand gesture towards the mask, what seemed like a salute, he turned to us, a grin on his lips as he dropped the bags and sat on the rim of the water fountain.

Leaning down to open the duffel bags, Todoroki had inches closer, suspicious of the duffel bag Shinsou slowly pulled it open to reveal food. Eyes widening, I opened my mouth to say something but was cut off by a voice.

"Shinsou's back!" Turning towards the voice, I stiffened to see a kid not much younger than I was beaming, his grey eyes glistening with excitement he turned and ran, repeating the same thing over and over as more shades caught wind of what was happening.

Shinsou reaching into the bag, he started to hand out food to the shades that had approached him, their smiles wide and grateful they paid no attention to us in the slightest. As the bags were being emptied, Shinsou sighed in content as he closed the bag, gazing at the crowd that had walked by.

Women, men, teens and children, gratitude and appreciation shining through each of them as they walked off buzzing happily. Kirishima cocking an eyebrow, he walked towards Shinsou clearly confused.

"That's what was in the bag?"

"Yeah?" Todoroki narrowing his eyes in annoyance, he stormed towards Shinsou looming over him threateningly.

"Why'd you make it seem dangerous?"

"You would've eaten it." Shinsou stating blandly, he picked up the empty duffel bags and shoved them into the bus once more before walking off down a cobblestone path, a grin on his lips.

"Let's go see One, okay?"