I lay in the forest, staring at a quiet pond, the still water rippling with the movements of fish beneath the surface. My red eyes were fixed on the shimmering patterns, lost in thought as I slowly extended a claw. With a soft flick, one of the fish jumped onto it, its slippery body wriggling helplessly. I grinned, amused, and with a quick motion, I scooped it up and bit down. The taste was satisfying, the coolness of the water and the rush of the catch momentarily soothing my mind.

Then, a voice broke through the silence.

"Hey, uh..." The voice was hesitant, soft, and unfamiliar.

I looked up sharply, my claws still tingling from the quick action. My gaze met the person standing a few feet away, their presence faint against the background of the dark forest. They smiled nervously.

"Midoyra, hey," I said softly, my tail flicking slightly in recognition. It was Midoyra, a quiet presence I had seen around before, though we hadn't really spoken much. I could sense their hesitation but also curiosity—something that intrigued me.

Midoyra flushed, clearly caught off guard by my sharp tone. "What are you doing out here, Onyx?" he asked, a bit hesitantly.

He shifted awkwardly, looking down at the ground, and then added, "Well, Night told me to come and find you. The government is searching for you."

I let out an exasperated sigh, rolling my red eyes. "Oh, for fuck's sake," I growled under my breath, my frustration boiling over. Without thinking, I clawed at the earth beneath me, ripping up a few wildflowers as if they were nothing but weeds. The petals scattered in the air, the ground trembling beneath my fury.

I stood up and glared at Midoyra, my voice sharp and biting. "Just tell them all to back off right now," I hissed. "I can't take it with the government. I'll kill someone if they keep pushing me like this."

He dipped his head, his discomfort clear. "I... uh, sure," he muttered, about to scurry off when I suddenly grabbed his arm, holding him in place with a firm but gentle grip. My claws barely brushed his skin, but it was enough to make him freeze, his eyes wide in surprise. I leaned in slightly, my tail flicking behind me.

"Look," I sighed, my voice softening. I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my thoughts. "I'm not good at expressing my feelings, but I've been wanting to tell you this."

When I opened my red eyes again, they met his, my gaze steady and serious. "I thank you for helping me back at the USJ. It meant more than you know."

Izuku blinked, looking confused and flustered. "B-but you're the one who saved Bakugo, not me," he stammered, clearly unsure of what to say next.

I smirked faintly, my eyes softening just a little. "Maybe, but you were there when I needed someone. That counts for something too." I let go of his arm, feeling a strange warmth fill my chest, though I wouldn't admit it aloud. "Don't sell yourself short, Midoyra."

I smirked, giving him a playful nudge with my snout. "See you around, little leaf," I teased, my tail flicking behind me. With that, I melted into the shadows of the forest, vanishing from his sight as I made my way through the trees.

Izuku stood there for a moment, staring at his arm where I had held him. His face flushed a deep red, a confused smile playing on his lips. His thoughts seemed to race as he processed the interaction. She's something else, isn't she? he thought, his heart hammering in his chest.

A soft chuckle escaped him as he thought to himself, She'll be mine one day.

With that thought, he continued standing in the forest, his mind buzzing, unaware of the path that had just begun between us.