In Preparation

School was closed for a short while after the USJ incident, but that wasn't really a surprise to Izuku. After all, the board of education needed to figure out how the villains broke in in order to tighten up their security. What surprised the greenette was finding his blond haired friend with mild violent tendencies banging down the other side of his bedroom door. He quickly opened it to hopefully prevent any damage from occurring from the larger teen's unwarranted wrath.

"What's up Kacchan?" He asked a little confused, running a hand through tangled curls, wincing as he accidentally tugged on a snarl caused by bedhead. He didn't think that they would go for their morning runs so shortly after the incident, but it appeared he thought wrong. He looked over his shoulder at his alarm clock and noticed that it was 7 am. Well, at least Kacchan let him sleep in.

"What do you think shitnerd?" he rudely stated, though there was no malice in his voice. Izuku let out a little sigh before relenting.

"Just wait a minute while I get dressed." He closed the door snorting a quiet laugh when he heard Kacchan respond from the other side of the door.

"Take to long and you're running in pajamas." It's nice that there is some consistency in his hectic life.

He dressed in a simple white All Might t-shirt and black running shorts. When he opened the door he saw that Katsuki was leaning against the wall across from his door. His arms were crossed over his chest with his foot tapping impatiently as if Izuku had made him wait for more than three minutes. The winged boy felt himself smile softly at the resemblance from when they were children. He was wearing a black shirt and black shorts, and Izuku was beginning to doubt that the boy had anything of color in his wardrobe, not that he would say anything to Kacchan lest he want his face blown off.

"Took you long enough." He huffed, jamming his hands in his pockets as he turned to lead the way downstairs. Izuku simply rolled his eyes before following.

"Are you going out honey?" His mother asked. Izuku could tell from the intonation of her voice that she wasn't really thrilled bout the idea. Izuku couldn't really blame her for that, but ever since the incident from the attack at USJ she barely let him go out and get groceries.

"He'll be with me auntie." Katsuki answered without even looking back from where he was sitting in their entryway tying his shoes. Izuku bristled a little bit at the way he saw how his mother visibly relaxed at his words. After all, the green haired boy was much stronger now. He was a little wounded that his mother didn't trust him more. After Katsuki cuffed him upside the head he realized that the latter was waiting on him.

"Sorry Kacchan." He apologized softly.

"Tch, whatever. Let's go." He brushed it off as they left the house.

Izuku wasn't gonna lie, it was a little strange how Katsuki wasn't charging ahead of him, instead he elected to run side by side...which never happened...like ever. He allowed emerald eyes to shift over to his jogging partner, but instead of being told to 'face the fucking front', Katsuki seemed to be completely engrossed in his own thoughts. He didn't even seem to mind when the winged boy ran ahead of him a few paces to see what would happen. That's when he really got worried, bringing him to an abrupt halt. Immediately Katsuki ceased in his steps, his red eyes snapping to Izuku when he almost ran into the smaller boy's back.

"What the fuck Deku?!" He bit out. But the greenett payed his friend's crass language no mind.

"Why are you acting so weird today?" He asked, turning around so he could face the other. The older boy's eyes were narrowed in irritation.

"The fuck are you talking about?" Katsuki knew exactly what he was talking about. The interest that the handsy villain freak payed the winged boy unsettled the blond, but he wasn't about to tell him that. So instead, he decided to play ignorant and keep the naive idiot where he could see him.

"And face the fuckin front!" He growled out before resuming running, letting his shoulder roughly brush past the other. Izuku rolled his eyes again before taking off after his childhood friend. Although Katsuki had resumed his position up front, he had his crimson eyes peeled for any suspicious activity before him and his ears honed in on the sound of the smaller boy's footsteps behind him.

When they finally took a break at a nearby park to get a drink, Izuku finally managed to ask something that had been bothering him for a while.

"Kacchan?"

"Hn?" The other grunted in response.

"Back at USJ when the villains attacked, why didn't you use my blood for a power boost?"

The blond angrily tossed his plastic bottle that he practically chugged into the recycling bin. "Are you fucking stupid!? I swear, for someone so smart you sure are an idiot, shitnerd!" he admonished condescendingly.

Izuku felt an angry flush cover his cheeks at the backhanded compliment. "Why do you say that!?" he asked, a little large eyes downcast.

Katsuki closed his eyes and scratched the back of his head in frustration, letting out an irritated sigh before plopping down on a bench. After a minute, he opened an eye to glance at the other. " The villains were right there, and Freaky Mc. Handsy was already staring at you like his next meal. They didn't need another reason to be interested. Are you following me Shitnerd?" Izuku's eyes lit up in understanding.

"So that's why you're acting so weird today!" and with a little smug smile he added, "Didn't know you cared Kacchan."

That was exactly what Katsuki DIDN"T want him to take from all this, but the little shit was smart. If not for his ability to heal himself he would have buried him six foot under by now. A little snort startled him from his thoughts, but it was when it turned on to full on laughter that Katsuki thought that he finally lost it.

"Hehe! Freaky Mc. Handsy!" He continued laughing to himself, and the blond would never admit it, but he felt a little smirk tug at the edge of his lips. He quickly brushed himself off before standing.

"Alright, let's head back." he said with a little stretch, allowing the shorter boy to finish his water.

"Kay!" He chirped, settling to an easy pace besides the other...or behind..damn.

Classes resumed without a hitch, and he was excited to learn that they were soon to be participating in the UA sports festival. His little wings quivered in anticipation. He shot up in his seat when he heard a high pitched squeal beside him. Katsuki swiveled in his seat, angrily holding one ear.

"Ochako!?" Izuku asked, a little shocked.

"What the hell gives, round face!" Katsuki shouted, but she didn't even glance in the explosive teen's direction. She was playing with Izuku's wings with a smile on her face, but it wasn't the typical carefree smile that everyone was familiar with. It had a certain intensity to it that was a little bit terrifying to say the blond clicked his tongue irritably and turned back in his chair at the lack of response.

"A-are you ok?" He tentatively asked. He had never seen his normally cheerful friend act quite like this before. She let go of his wings, much to his relief, and punched her fist into the air.

"You becha! I'm gonna do this!" She was obviously super revved up for the festival, and he didn't think he had ever seen her this extreme before.

"Right" He agreed softly with a worried smile. She turned to the rest of the class with another air punch.

"I'm gonna do this!" She repeated just as intensely.

"R-right..." The class answered back a little uncomfortably at the personality switch.

Izuku looked around the room to see that everyone looked to be mentally preparing themselves for the grand event, after all, pro heroes were going to be watching to see who they wanted to intern for them.

"I need to be more serious." He thought to himself. A look a determination putting a fire in green eyes.

Izuku was talking to his friends Iida and Ochako in the hallway at school. He was surprised to learn that the reason that she was pursuing heroism was due to money, not that he was judging her or anything. He was just...surprised, but it did make a lot more sense when she explained that the money was for her business. Again, he wasn't judging, but that seemed to fit her personality a lot more. His glasses wearing friend was loudly applauding the other for their heroic aspirations, and Izuku couldn't help but be curious if the serious boy had feelings other than friendship for the bubbly girl. The winged boy looked up when he noticed that it had gone silent.

"..." Iida was staring speechless at something behind Izuku, and when the green haired boy turned around he almost cussed. His mother would have been so disappointed in him. His childhood Idol was nervously peeking around the corner of the hall.

"Midoriya my young boy, would you like to eat lunch with me?" All Might asked hopefully, lifting up a lunch box to further drive his point. He could hear Ochako do a spitting laugh at the hysterical picture it painted. The bob haired girl said he looked like a maiden, and Izuku couldn't find it in himself to disagree.

"Sure." He accepted the request after he verified with his friends that they were not offended with having their conversation cut short.

"Why did you want to eat together?" He inquired after his teacher when they finally sat down together in a room away from other students. He hoped the older man hadn't gotten another injury. At seeing his student's worried expression he quickly dispelled his concerns with a wave of his hand.

"No, nothing like that young Midoriya! I'm fine!" He said with his signature grin. His face settled into a more serious countenance as he folded his hands underneath his chin. "There is something that has been bothering for a while, and I have been meaning to ask you." He paused before Izuku signaled for him to continue. "How did you know that One For All was draining my life force?" Izuku's eyes widened slightly in surprise at the question.

"I- I'm honestly not sure how to explain it. More like, I got a general idea when I healed you?" He stated it more as a question then an answer.

"Is it like that with everyone you heal?" All Might asked. Izuku nodded his head vigorously, causing his green curls to bounce.

"And when you said I would revert back to a similar state?"

Izuku's green eyes shot up to meet icy blue in a panic. "Has it happened!?" He felt his heart thumping in dread as All Might's circumstance was not one he could erase.

"I will admit that I have noticed a slight decline, but nothing major yet." He conceded. All Might could see Izuku's expression change from contemplation to hesitance with a question he desired to ask with the uncertainty if he should. The pro hero felt his lips quirk in a smile. The boy was so easy to read.

"What is it my boy?"

"Umm, You said you're quirk is passed down, right?" He finally asked, caution in his tone.

"Yes, it is. My master Nana Shimura gave it to me."

"Did the same thing happen to her?" All Might's eyes widened in shock at his student's question before it switched to one of deliberation. It was clear he hadn't really thought of it.

"She was killed by a villain, but it does make more sense if she was already weakened by One For All's power." All Might muttered to himself in a way that resembled one of the winged boy's tangents. He shook his head for allowing himself get distracted before he got to the main point.

"Young Midoriya, after the sports festival I would like to talk with you more on the subject of your quirk with Recovery Girl."

"W-with Recovery Girl? Why?" The green haired boy asked, a little bewildered. All Might simply waved him off again.

"Later. For now, I want you focusing on training for the sports festival."

After they finished their respective meals Izuku was dismissed, still a little curious as to what All Might wanted him to go over with Recovery Girl, but he was going to take the elder's advice and not think about it until after the festival was over.

"Young Midoriya." All Might's voice stopped him before he reached to door.

Izuku turned around to look at him inquiringly, curious at what else the other had to say.

"Yeah?"

"This festival is a chance for you to shine, so show everyone the results of your training!" He said with his signature grin. Izuku grinned back just as large.

"Of course!"

The student's of class 1A weren't prepared to gain a small celebrity status from the villain attack at USJ. The door to their classroom was blocked due to the students from other classes trying to get a peek at their competition, and it certainly didn't help when Katsuki called them all extras.

"I came to see what the famous 1A was all about" A deep voice said from the crowd of people, pushing past students to get up front, "but you seem pretty arrogant to me." he finished.

The voice belonged to a young man with a shock of purple hair and dull eyes of the same color. He had dark circles underneath his eyes that gave him the appearance of an insomniac who hadn't slept for days. Though, for all Izuku knew, maybe he hadn't.

The newcomer was now standing right before Katsuki, and it was clear he was trying to provoke him, which typically wasn't very difficult to do. His eyes briefly flicked over to the rest of the class as he addressed them.

"Are you all like this?" He asked in a bored tone. The rest of the 1A class vigorously shook their heads no, which seemed to further piss the explosive blond off. It turned out he came to declare war on the class. It seemed as though he was from general studies. Another fellow came by from 2B, but by that time Katsuki stopped listening and was making way to leave. Kirishima was a little worried from all the flack they were getting from the other classes, thanks to the class's number one hot head.

"Wait!" He stopped Katsuki, "What are you going to do about this? They all hate us because of you." The redhead complained.

Katsuki let his red eyes briefly rest on his classmates before they settled on the competition in a confident challenge. "Doesn't matter as long as you rise to the top." He coolly stated before walking out, the crowd easily parting for him.

Izuku's deep emerald eyes swirled with admiration as his friend's bold statement resonated with him.

"Oi Deku!" Izuku sighed when he heard the blond call for him and made his way through the now confused looking crowd. It seemed as though Katsuki was determined to keep up this guard dog act despite the fact that no villains had come after him.

"Well, I will see you later Iida, Ochako!" He cheerily waved his friends goodbye then ran over to where Katsuki was tapping his foot impatiently.

"Seriously Kacchan!? I made you wait for like two seconds, why are you so impatient?" He asked his friend in exasperation. Katsuki's face scrunched up in irritation.

"What the hell are you on about? I'm patient as fuck!" He spouted as they walked down the hall.

"I can't tell if they have a good relationship or not?" Ochako commented thoughtfully looking at the retreating figures. Asui nodded her head in agreement.

Since the UA sports festival was in two weeks that left Izuku a decent amount of time to improve upon his fighting technique. Unfortunately for him, that meant his childhood friend was tagging along. Usually he didn't mind the company, but he rather not reveal any of his newer fighting techniques, lest he give the other an edge over him if they had to fight one another. When they had arrived at a forest they both trained at for as long as they knew they wanted to be heroes (AKA forever) Katsuki stopped in front of him red meeting green in an intense gaze.

"Listen up shitnerd, I'm gonna train a ways from here since I don't want you creepily watching my new techniques!" He said curtly.

So it seemed Katsuki was of a similar mindset as Izuku. He tried not to let himself feel too relieved at the thought. A harsh poke to the center of his chest brought him back to awareness.

"Fuckin listen Deku! And quit with that rambling shit!" He snapped. The greenette felt himself grow warm with embarrassment. He didn't realize he was mumbling, well, he never really did. The blond clicked his tongue in irritation before continuing.

"I will be pretty far out, so I want you to call me when you're ready to leave." He paused for a moment after thinking, blond brows furrowed, "No, scratch that. I will call you when I want to leave. Don't. Fuckin. Leave. Without. Me. Got it?" He emphasized each word with a poke to the chest.

"Geeze, I got it Kacchan! Just go explode stuff!" He sulked, rubbing his now sore chest, courtesy of a rude and rough friend. The blond just scoffed and began to walk deeper in the woods when he stopped abruptly.

"Now what!?" Izuku thought in the safety of his head. He was at the point that he wanted to pull out his own hair.

"If you see anyone out here besides me, I want you to call me ok?"

Izuku rolled his eyes in annoyance but acquiesced all the same, "Got it."

"I don't care if they fuckin look like a fuckin girl scout, call me." He unhelpfully added.

"I got it Kacchan!" He snapped out, unable to keep the irritation out of his voice. Finally the latter turned around and walked until Izuku could no longer see nor hear him. "Honestly! Kacchan is worse than my mother!"He complained in his thoughts.

Izuku carefully stretched his body in preparation for the extensive workout he was about to give himself. He slowly lowered himself into a back bend and held it for a few seconds before gently kicking his right leg up and allowing his left to slightly lag behind so he did the splits before his feet touched the ground in a walkover. He repeated the move a couple of times, then adding more force, he kicked off with both legs to land on his hands in a back handspring. He did three of them before ending in a back flip. Once of his advantages in a fight was his agility, and he certainly did not want to be lacking in that department come the festival.

Izuku tried not to let the sounds of explosions in the distance distract him as he lifted his leg in a front standing split. He gentle pulled his leg and relished in the feeling of a light stretch. He was surprised to learn that he now could do an oversplit, he didn't hold the position too long though, as that could hyper-extend his ligaments, causing his kicks to loose power. Izuku performed the front split a few more times with both legs before deeming his muscles adequately warmed.

Izuku walked over to a tree where he left his staff resting while he did the stretches, and allowed his hand to run down the smooth polished wood. The weight felt good in his hands. He twirled it in his hands before bringing it down before him in a harsh swing, relishing in the sharp snapping sound it made against the air. As much as the winged boy loved fighting with his staff, he knew he had to focus on hand to hand combat seeing as no extra equipment was allowed, aside from those who were in the support department. It was going to be incredibly tricky fighting against other quirks with that much of a disadvantage. He let out a sigh and went over to his note book where he a written down his training regime and studied for a few minutes before pulling away. He tied a couple pillows, that he had brought along from home, at varying heights on a sturdy looking tree so that he could practice his punches and kicks.

Izuku was in mid kick when a large boom, that felt like a minor earthquake, knocked Izuku flat on his ass. A residual rumbling echo could still be heard, and the greenette remembered in a panic that Katsuki was in the direction the explosion was heard. He immediately took off in his friend's direction, concerned for the other boy's wellbeing, praying that it wasn't villain who attacked.

When he arrived at the blond's location he noticed the older teen was laying flat on his back, his chest heaving with exertion in the midst of what looked to be mass desecration of the forest. Holy hell was the DNR gonna wring their little necks! Izuku looked at his friend who abruptly sat up, brushing the dust that had been caked on him off, spinning around to look at the smaller boy with a much too pleased smirk, victory dancing in those crimson eyes.

"Y-you alright?" He softly asked, uncomfortable with how thrilled the blond appeared.

"Never better!" The blond's smirk widened. By gods did Izuku hope he did not have Kacchan as an opponent, cause that face meant nothing good.