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Shouta would never show it, but he was nervous.
Scratch that, he was very fucking nervous, more nervous than when he asked Zashi to be his mate. All of his weeks of worrying had built to this moment, the moment that he would succeed at.
The moment he needed to succeed at. He needed to rescue those kids, his kid, Shouta refused to go another day, minute, second, without Izuku. He would get his son back, along with everyone else, tonight.
Everything was in place. Nemuri had finally passed out at her computer, Zashi was keeping her comfy on her lap, and Shouta was leaving through the slightly parted, open window. Jumping from ledge to ledge, Shouta looked down at the street pathway where three dogs were waiting. A presence joined Shouta and looking to the side he spotted Touya keeping pace with Shouta's parkour. Shouta took one big cat leap and landed, claws out, on Shirakumo's back.
"Ahh! What the fuck-"
"Shut up! Do you want to wake the whole street?"
"...don't use your claws you maniac."
"Well get used to it, we're about to rescue those kids who're gonna bite and claw to stay with us."
"Yeah but they have baby claws and teeth, not fully grown adults!"
Shouta smacked the dog on his nose.
"What did I just say about the noise!"
"If the married couple are done fighting, can we go rescue my brother and his friends?"
Shouta glared over at Touya who was sitting on a ledge above them all. He may be useful to the plan but it didn't mean Shouta had to like him. The flapping of a bird's wings drew Shouta to the skies, where he spotted Keigo circling around and landing on a chain link fence.
"And you're here because?"
"I wanna help obviously and I can be useful! I can spot things from the air and give you support by being a birds-eye look out!"
"I wasn't going to deny you but it's good to see you're using whatever brain you've got in that head-"
"Hey!"
Shouta rolled his eyes and gave Shirakumo a pat with his paw.
"Alright, alright, enough! We need to go. Touya get up front and lead us to that warehouse, we need to reach that warehouse without drawing attention then we attack. Now, let's move."
No one argued and no one stalled. Touya was upfront, leading the pack as Keigo flew above them all. Shouta had gone out with Hizashi hunting before but the city never ceased to amaze and disgust him. The paths they took very rarely had them on a main street where all the pretty lights were. No, the pack was following Touya who was leading them through the back alleys.
The rougher parts of the city, with rubbish splattered on bins and walls and some homeless people trying to stay warm for the night. It was a depressing sight but they couldn't focus on this, the group needed to keep their goal in mind. They needed to reach that warehouse and find those kids pronto.
Odd looks were thrown their way by the few humans lingering around but no one stopped them. And then finally, finally, the group reached the warehouse.
The building itself was unassuming, a bland grey concrete colour with a few windows set into some thinner parts of the walls. Two big roller doors at the front and only a total of four windows, two at the left and right of the building. Shirakumo, following Shouta's instructions, stretched up and was able to see into the building.
Shouta, using Shirakumo like a ramp, peered into the building to see a completely unassuming interior. Stacks and stacks of shelves were filled with wooden crates, probably nailed shut, and wrapped packages. Crates were stacked both big and small but everything looked ready to either be transported or opened. Everything looked disgustingly normal for a bunch of humans who kidnapped Izuku.
"Perfect, now all we have to do is break the window and get in. Easy peasy."
"Don't break the window you imbecilic!"
Shouta stared up at the hawk who had a sizable rock in his talons.
"Why not? It's the easiest way in."
"Firstly, you could alert the whole compound if there's anyone inside. Secondly, you'll be littering the floor with glass and I don't trust those kids to walk on carpet. Finally-"
Shouta raised his paw to the closed window and simply slid it along the sill until it was fully opened.
"It's unlocked."
"...well would you look at that. Not a very organized group are they? Leaving the window unlocked, anyone could get in!"
Shouta rolled his eyes, preparing to jump in the window until Tensei stopped him.
"Hold up-"
Looking back over his shoulder, Shouta spotted the large dog dragging multiple cardboard boxes towards the group.
"For the kids to use as a ramp. We can only just make it in, they'll need help getting out."
"Right, good thinking."
The small pack arranged the boxes in a semi stack to, at the very least, break the fall for the kids. Shirakumo stayed perched on the window, letting Shouta and Touya use him as a ramp before he awkwardly crawled through the window. Mirio and Tensei followed, also awkwardly crawling through, while Keigo flew through.
The inside was no less bland than the outside but the flickering, fluorescent lights gave the whole building an eerie feeling. Like being in one of those horror movies Nemuri insisted on scaring herself with but they were living it.
Shaking himself from the feeling, Shouta turned to Keigo and gave his orders.
"Everyone stay here for a moment. Keigou, fly ahead and scout the area, look for people and take note of anywhere the kids could be hidden. Be back here in 3 minutes."
It was torturous how long this whole operation was taking, if there was a way for Shouta to speed up time, he'd do it. He just wanted, no needed Izuku back and if this wasn't where they were hiding the kids? Shouta might just have another mental breakdown, he might just go on a rampage. The flapping of Keigou's wings felt like it was rattling in his skull, Shouta needed this mission to be done weeks ago.
"Report?"
Shouta wasn't even giving the hawk a chance to rest.
"Guards everywhere, or well, people everywhere and they all have a firearm of some sort so they count as guards. There seems to be an area that's more guarded but we've got a whole warehouse to sneak through to get to it."
This is where Shouta had to make a very, well, not advised decision but one that would ultimately help.
"We need to hurt them, all of them, so we can bring the kids back here safely."
Tensei was the one to question this, seemingly, reckless plan.
"What do you mean hurt them? Shouta, this warehouse is bigger than anything we know, we can't just, what? Kill everything in here to get to the kids-"
"But we need to if we're to get out safely. We're going to have 19 kids with us when we find them and there's only 5 of us. We're not going to be able to fight and protect them all. So we fight smarter, not harder. Break into groups, lure them together and we'll take them out but be weary of the firearms, understood."
This wasn't a question.
Everyone nodded, either unable or unwilling to fight against the blood thirsty cat. Shouta will admit later that this plan had been born out of unbridled rage surfacing but it worked. Everyone moved as if they'd done this for years with multiple hours of training.
Small groups ran around like little ghosts, luring the humans into one area, perfect for a coordinated attack. Of course their first option is to hit them or fire at them but talons from the air; teeth strong enough to tear bones and claws sharp enough to scratch out eyes does more. Sure, more were alerted to their presence as the fighting continued but they all fell to the group of animals.
Growling, barking, hissing, gunshots, scratching and yells of agony echoed in the warehouse but the job got done. A lot bloodier and less stealthy than Shouta had originally envisioned but at this point, Shouta was ready to kill.
His kit had been missing for weeks at this point, his mate was beyond stressed as well as his human and he had an entire apartment building of animals counting on him.
Shouta was not in the mood for fucking around.
The fight was long and yet felt like it lasted seconds. When all was finished, there were bloody bodies littering the floor, quite impressive for a few house trained animals. Shouta took note of where most of the bodies were and made a mental note to avoid this area for the kids.
There was an unspoken conversation between all the adults, no one would speak of this, not to the kids or the other animals. Keigo took to the air, addressing the group as he did so.
"Come on, we're close to where they were all coming from."
Following the hawk again, the group came across a back area of sorts, there were just some chairs and a desk but the area was massive.
"Right, we need to split up and cover more ground. The kids could be anywhere so keep a lookout and shout if you spot them, or anything suspicious."
The group nodded at Shouta's order, Shouta was noticing how the group was falling into a work mode of sorts. Quiet and obedient, not willing to fight back as the group tried to keep up hope at finding the kids. As they split apart, Shouta moved away in his own direction, following a line of long wooden desks. Nothing was changing and nothing was moving but Shouta's ears flicked around, listening for any noise.
Any he was rewarded with a scratching and high pitched and dry raspy laugh.
"Well, well, would you look at that. A stray seems to have found it's way into the den, how unfortunate."
Turning his head, fur fluffed up in anger, Shouta spotted the rat of his nightmares. Shaggy purple fur and graying skin with chunks missing from his slithery tail and large, slightly pointed ears. This was the rat Izuku had seen, the one Shouta had seen in that horrible car with the kids the night they were taken.
Shigaraki.
"You look familiar, have we met before? Or, no, wait...you're the father of that little green tyke, the one my master is oh so interested in. How fascinating to see you up close."
"You piece of shit, where's Izuku!"
"Wow, such hostility! How frightening you are Mr. Black cat. But, I'm not at liberty to say where little greenie is, that's personal information."
the disgusting thing was sitting on a desk ledge, lazily looking down at Shouta as if he was noting but a speck of dust. But the piece of shit had left himself perfectly exposed. While the rat monologued and drawled on, Shouta took a big leap, dug his claws in and dragged the purple menace to the floor. Standing tall over the rat and tali swishing angrily behind him.
"Ahh!"
"Now listen here, rat-"
And Shouta dug his claws further into the Shigaraki.
"I'll only ask this once more, where are Izuku and the other kids you stole."
"Ha! And what makes you think I'll tell you? My master is not a forgiving man, with any luck they could have already been used in his little experiments."
"What do you mean!"
Shouta roared with anger, putting more pressure on the rat but his interrogation stopped at the sound of a very clear PWANG. Shouta's ears flicked to the right, head turning slightly at the sound.
"Oh, that could be those, precious children of yours now or it could be my master, who knows. But are you really going to stand over me and risk them being killed when you had every chance to stop it?"
Shouta ground his teeth at the taunting rat but he was right, no stone could be left un-turned. Shouta released Shigaraki, swiping him across the face and leaving him a crumpled mess on the floor as he ran in the direction of the pwang with Shigaraki's laughter ringing behind him.
"Run, run run, little cat!"
Sprinting towards the sound, Shouta could make out some blobs beginning to take shape. And the shape they showed made his blood run cold.
A man standing above a trapdoor with a gun.
A gun that was pointed straight at Izuku's head who was held in his other hand.
Shouta didn't even have time to process that his son was right there in front of him, his sweet little kit so close, yet so far. But Shouta's whole vision tunneled onto the barrel of that gun and the tears welling up in his big, emerald eyes.
He was already sprinting but adrenaline surged through Shouta like a tiger. Unbridled fury drummed in his skull and into his body as Shouta broke into a dead sprint. His claws revealed themselves from his paws and one big leap was all it took. His body slammed into the human, knocking away the gun, as Shouta slashed at the man's face with his claws. Deep, bloody gashes and a cry of pain was all it took for the man to go down.
Shouta's sure he hit an eye but he couldn't be sure nor did he care.
All he cared about was the little fluff ball of green that was falling. As his little kid was falling, Shouta leapt forward and held him by his scruff. The kit, on instinct, curled up and let Shouta safely plop him onto the floor when they both landed. Upon being released, Shouta was quick to scoop Izuku back towards his fluffy chest where he could hold him for a bit. And Izuku wasted no time in letting his tears spill over and sob into Shouta's fur. Big globs of tears and Shouta felt his heart simultaneously break and repair itself over and over.
His little son, his sweet kitten, his Izuku, was in his paws again.
But they couldn't do this here. Not yet.
Reluctantly pulling back, Shouta licked Izuku's face of his tears trying to comfort his son.
"Not yet Izuku, not yet son. Just be strong for me for a little while longer ok? Just until we're home. I'm so glad you're safe."
Izuku's tears were slowing but he stayed burried in Shouta's chest and that was just fine with him. Looking back up, Shouta spotted the other kids slowly peeking out of the trapdoor and Shouta remembered his own rag tag team.
"They're over here!"
Like a swarm, the others all appeared and the kids looked like Christmas had come early. No, they looked like their miracle had been answered and that thought broke Shouta even more. Shouta gave the kids a moment to crawl out and run to whoever they needed comfort from while also giving himself time with Izuku. His sweet little kit who he had found.
He'd found his son.
The adults all began crowding together, giving comfort where needed and corralling the kids into a group. Not that they were aware of this, too caught up in the affection provided by the adults and the comfort it brought.
"16, 17, 18, 19! That's everyone! Let's move out while they're still scrambling."
Music to Shouta's ears. Everyone was here and within their grasp. They were so, so, so close to being safe. So close to going home and being with his family again. However, just as they were about to move out, his sweet little son paused and stopped Shouta.
"No, no no wait, Dad! We- it's Eri! We have to bring Eri!"
"Who?"
"Eri."
And Shouta moved his head from looking at Izuku, to where he was gesturing with his paw towards the trapdoor. And there, just peeking out from the edge, were wide candy apple red eyes and dirty silver hair. Little hands gripped the side of the trapdoor and a little cherub face fully showed, looking directly at Izuku and Shouta. Her face, while cherub and cute, was severely lacking in healthy fat, she was all skin and bones not ghastly but it was clear she had been mistreated. Tears began welling up in her big eyes and Shouta's resolve began quaking.
"She's like us Dad. I- We can't leave her."
And, well, how could he deny his poor son anything when he goes and says that? Giving out a sigh, Shouta answered his son.
"How is it you managed to find a stray in this place."
Shouta could hear Zashi's voice saying how Izuku was taking after him already. Working together, both Shouta and Izuku lead this little girl, Eri, out of the door. Her poor body was covered in a dirty white gown and shook so fiercely, whether from fear or cold Shouta wasn't sure. Probably a mix of both.
She would have to run alongside them but Shouta would keep an eye on her, Izuku had asked him to after all.
With everyone together, and harsh glares sent to the other adults about the added child, everyone was off. The adults ran in as much of a circle as they could manage, with the kids being in the center of their circle. Eri ran by their sides and, well, Shouta was glad they took care of the humans beforehand. The kids seemed somewhat interested in the bodies but the adults would not let them wander.
They had already been through enough.
The flickering fluorescent lights provided a clear, albeit bloody, path to the boxes that stacked towards the window. Freedom was just within their grasp. Eri ran a little faster, the kids sprinted a little harder and everyone grew hopeful.
Hopeful that this turmoil would be over as soon as they were out that window.
"Everyone, get ready to jump, claw and get through that window! We'll stay behind to make sure everyone is through, Fumikge and Keigo, fly through and make sure everyone is safe on the other side!"
Shouta's voice rang through and his order was executed without a fault. The adults immediately moved into action, with Keigou letting Fumikage fly through the open window first then following. The others stood back and ushered the kids up the stacked crates, nudging them up when they were struggling. Some would be unable to climb out themselves but they were already accounted for.
What was not accounted for was the piercing cry from Eri and the clicking of a gun.
"Uaghhh! No, no! Please, let go!"
When Shouta turned he found the most disturbing looking man he'd ever seen. Standing tall and intimidating, brown hair and simple green jacket with purple fur lining. A simple dress shirt, pants and white tie that paired with white gloves. The plague mask threw Shouta off but it was his eyes that shook Shouta to his core.
They were calm, glaring and portraying anger but they were calm. He looked like he was almost smiling behind that mask. Like their whole operation was just a small inconvenience rather than something to be worried over.
Shouta could feel his manic aura pouring off this human. He was calm and that was beyond dangerous.
He had a death grip on Eri's long silver hair, her already teary red eyes welling up more and spilling over as she gripped his wrist holding her hair. A gun pointed at her head.
"How a bunch of useless animals managed to ruin my hard work, I'll never fathom but look, we have more of you now. The experiments may proceed without delay."
Even the way this man spoke was disturbing. So calm and collected like he was talking about the weather and not about experiments. What experiments were they performing here? On Eri. On Izuku.
"Please, do-don't hurt- uahhh!"
"And you, precious little Eri, you've been a very naughty girl. Sedation might be in order from now on."
Shouta had no idea who this man was but he was dead in his mind. Just from the way he addressed the young girl, Shouta could tell they interacted a lot. His words sent shivers down his own spine so he couldn't imagine how the kids had dealt with him. If this disgusting man had done anything to his son, hell would have no mercy.
But the man's rambling provided the perfect opportunity for Shouta. The man's hand that was holding the gun moved for a moment, pointing just above Eri's head. It wasn't ideal but it was an opportunity.
An opportunity that Izuku was a split second quicker at taking than Shouta.
His little green fluff ball moved just a second quicker than Shouta, biting down on the wrist of the man's hand holding Eri's head. Shouta saw the pain register and his other hand moved while releasing Eri's head.
And Shouta jumped into action.
Leaping up, body outstretched and covering his sweet little kit and the red eyed girl as best he could.
The bang was deafening.
The searing pain in his leg was worse.
Mirio and Tensei moved, barking and biting at the man as Shouta lay panting on the ground for a moment. He could just make out Izuku frantically nudging his head with his own but Shouta couldn't move.
Not yet. He just needed a second.
That second to get back on his feet never came as he was scooped up into shaky, pale arms with Izuku right next to him. A rhythmic thumping and bobbing was all he could feel along with something wet in his fur.
Rain?
Looking up, Shouta could only spot the pitch black sky, no stars as the light pollution was too strong. Well, at least they were outside but why was his fur wet?
Looking down and around languidly, Shouta spotted his sweet little Izuku bawling his eyes out in Shouta's fur. He was balanced and curled on top of Shouta, sobbing into his shoulder. But Shouta could offer no comfort for his precious son, he couldn't bend his head back that far.
"I-Izu, Izuku, it's alright kit. I'm here, dad's here now, it's ok."
"D-D-dad!"
And his sweet little Izuku army crawled his way towards Shouta's head, big globs of tears still relentlessly fell from his eyes. His little son snuggled into Shouta's neck, sobbing and weeping out apology after apology.
"I-I'm so, so sorry! I-I, you, dad! Uwahhh!"
Shouta could feel Izuku's fragile chest heaving as he gasped through his tears but Shouta couldn't figure out what the apology was for.
"Izuku, son, it's ok, calm down. I'm ok, I'm here-"
"No you're not! You're not, you're not, you're not!"
This was, apparently, the wrong thing to say.
"You're n-n-not ok! You're leg, it's all red and, and, it's all my fault!"
At the mention of his leg, the searing pain returned full force and looking down, Shouta could clearly see red staining his black fur. He could feel his leg pulse with pain in time with his heart beat but he couldn't let Izuku think it was his fault.
"No, Izuku, no, listen to me. This is not your fault-"
"But, but if I had-"
"Stop, right now. I chose to jump and I would do it every time if it was to protect you. That's my job Izuku, to be your dad and protect you. I haven't been very good at it lately but I will always do that for you Izuku. It's not your fault son."
There was a pause in Izuku's tears as he stared at Shouta with his own shining emerald orbs before they listed over and tears rapidly fell again.
"Daddy!"
And his poor little kit buried his head in Shouta's neck again, sobbing and sobbing as Shouta offered any and all comfort he could.
"I'm here Izuku, I'm here. I'm never leaving you again."
It was a true test of his will that Shouta didn't pass out as their rag tag group ran all the way home. Little Eri doing a phenomenal job at carrying Shouta and Izuku all the way back to the apartment complex. But as soon as they were inside, the old land lady recognized Shouta and called Nemuri down. As soon as Shouta had been moved to his owner's hands he passed out from pain and exhaustion.
His little kit was safe.
Shouta had done his duty.
----------
Bright, white light greeted Shouta and he for sure thought this must be heaven or whatever version of heaven cats had. But the smell was disgusting, lemon and sterile like those horrid, heavy duty cleaning products Nemuri liked to use for deep cleaning.
Why did heaven smell so bad?
"Ta? - Sho- ake?"
What? What a scratchy voice, who's was it?
Turning his head and blinking to clear his eyes, Shouta stared up at the relived face of Nemuri. She smiled down at Shouta, a few tears slipping past her eyes as Shouta felt her hand petting his head gently.
"Hey Shouta, good to see you awake buddy. You gave me quite the scare, coming home with everyone and all passed out. You- you stupid, beautiful cat."
By the end of her little talk Nemuri had bent over Shouta's head and was nuzzling her face into his forehead. Her tears kept falling as she smiled and cried into Shouta's head. As Nemuri rose back up, Shouta looked around to see he was in a sterile white room. There was a desk, some cupboards, a few diagrams on the wall and Shouta realized he was laying on a medical bench.
So he was in a vet and not heaven, good to know.
But Nemuri was still crying which wasn't acceptable for his human. Gently raising his paw, Shouta began batting at the belt she was wearing and, in the process, getting his claws caught in her pants. Nemuri tried to make him stop but he kept going until Shouta saw her smile again.
"You little shit, good to see your personality is still intact. Come on, stop Sho, you're gonna ruin my pants. Bad cat."
But Nemuri was smiling again which was a big win in Shouta's book. Now, as much as he loved Nemuri the last thing Shouta remembered was escaping with Izuku and he would really like to see his son again. However, before Shouta could make his distaste known, a vet walked in and smiled at seeing Shouta awake and moving.
"Ah, good to see our hero is up and awake!"
Nemuri gave a smile to the vet while still stroking Shouta's head.
"Yeah, awake and causing mass destruction to my clothes like always."
"Well, it's good to hear that he's acting normal. All things considered, if he's acting normal then that's a fantastic outcome. Now, let me just have a look at his leg and see how it's doing."
The vet approached Shouta who was mostly confused. What was wrong with his leg? Looking up, Shouta looked down at his body to see his hind leg covered in a pristine white bandage. Which the doctor began to unravel but Shouta couldn't feel it. In actuality, Shouta couldn't feel his leg at all, not the cloth, not his fur, not even the poking and prodding of the doctor.
Why couldn't he feel his leg?!
"Well, it all seems to be healing well. There's no sign of infection which is good. It should heal just fine but I'll still prescribe some painkillers and if it looks weepy or you see pus, come back and I'll prescribe some antibiotics too."
Nemuri seemed pleased but Shouta was still looking down at his leg that he couldn't fucking move. Still covered in that white bandage that, quite frankly, scared the hell out of him. So, doing what he did best, Shouta brought out his claws and pawed at Nemuri while yowling up storm.
"Ah! Alright, alright! My god you're needy!"
But all that achieved was Nemuri stepping farther away. So Shouta needed to make his displeasure more well known, instead he attacked the bandage on his leg. That got her attention easily enough.
"Hey! Hey, Shouta, no! You can't do that, don't chew off the....the bandage. Oh, sorry, no come on Shouta, I'll explain, it's ok."
And blessedly, Nemuri did finally explain.
In the escape, when that freak wearing the bird mask shot his gun it went clean through Shouta's leg. Thankfully it missed his bones but it tore through the muscle easily, he was only a cat after all. His leg was numb to shield him from any pain as the wound was still new but it would heal well. He might feel twinges of pain in the future but he wouldn't have to do anything drastic like amputation.
That would be dramatic.
The vet was thankfully a quick visit after the, vaugly, short explanation but Shouta couldn't complain much. The two of them were heading home and he'd be able to see Izuku and his loving Hizashi and be with his family again. But from between the bars of his cat carrier Shouta spotted a little girl, sitting on an uncomfortably small plastic chair with a packet of crayons.
Long white hair, candy apple red eyes and dressed in a long sleeved white shirt with a red, pleated pinafore, black leggings and yellow boots.
"Hey Eri, look who finally woke up."
At the call of her name, the little girl gasped with glee and sprinted over to them, peering into Shouta's carrier with sparkling tears in her eyes.
"Black cat! Sh-Shouta! You're awake! Greenie, I-I mean Izuku, has missed you and, and so has the yellow one uh..."
"Hizashi or Zashi sweetheart."
"Yeah! Zashi missed you too! And, and I missed you too!"
She poked her tiny fingers through the plastic bars and Shouta gave them a little lick for affection, comfort and whatever else she may need.
"Come on love, the sooner we're in the car the sooner we can get home and Shouta can be with everyone."
And like a sweet thing, little Eri followed the two of them to the car which now had the addition of a car seat for Eri. Driving along was fine and Eri was shyly talkative. Mumbling and hesitant to speak but happily chatty once she was given the time.
Chatty about how happy she was living in their apartment and how nice Izuku and Hizashi are. How nice the other animals and Mrs Shinsou are across the hall. How the policeman, detective Tsukauchi was kind and didn't judge her scars. How her social worker, a lovely lady with green hair wasn't mad at her and was happy she was happy with Nemuri.
By the time her quiet chatting came to an end, they were back at the apartment building and the old lady, Chiyo Shuzenji greeted them. Then getting up the elevator was fine but the highlight was opening the door to find he was home. Nemuri let the cat carrier on the ground and lifted Shouta from the cage, considering his leg was still unusable.
She carried him into the living room where, on the couch snuggling together, were Izuku and Hizashi. The love of his life and his precious son both looked up at their entrance and flocked to him when he was set down.
Hizashi cuddled him on one side, the two cats making a circle, and their little son planted himself in the middle of their circle. He snuggled into Shouta while trying to maintain physical contact with them both.
Then he stared up at Shouta with those big green eyes and nuzzled under his neck.
"Thank you for rescuing me, Daddy."
And Shouta nuzzled right back into his head while intertwining his tail with Hizashi's.
"Anything for you Izuku, I love you son."
"I love you too dad."