That night, I had a hard time sleeping.

Tossing and turning, I had tried my best to fall into slumber, but the more I thought, the more I couldn't sleep.

Every time I rolled over, I felt the grass between my fingers, and couldn't help but think of the dog that, just the night before, would lay beside me. All the bristly fur I would run my fingers through, and tail I would hear wagging along the ground.

Gosh. I never knew I could be so mellow dramatic.

Lose a dog I had for like three days, and in turn lose almost a whole night of sleep.

Not even that, but the small ever present nagging in the back of my head, one that whispered to me that a murderer was in the same room as me, made it all the more difficult to sleep.

When I did, finally doze off, it felt like only a few seconds had passed before the roosters shrill crow peeled my dry eyes open from their short slumber. I felt like I could fall back asleep almost instantaneously, and god did I pray that it rained again and spared me a day of work.

Alas, no deed of such nature had occurred, and the warm breeze brushing past the tree leaves only concreted that fact.

Sitting up straight had been a trouble to me, the crick in my back from sleeping in such an odd position gave me a stiff and awkward posture.

To my right, I could hear Katsuki... or so I assumed it was Katsuki Bakugou, stirring as well. He shuffled for a few seconds, before going silent again. He's most likely still asleep.

My hair was limp and ridden with bedhead, knotted with every turn and toss of my sleeping stead.

Blearily glancing around the room, I laid my eyes on Blondie's sleeping form, his hulking mass looking smaller so low to the ground.

Him being such a renown fighter would explain the muscles. And the yelling. And the barbarian attitude he displayed.

Someone who is always doing things by himself, for himself, would certainly have an attitude like that, and an injury like his to follow suit.

Sighing, I resigned my thoughts.
I already started to take care of him, it would be a shame to go back on my words and thoughts.

Taking one last moment to glance around, I stood, brushing off the blades of grass that stuck to my arms and face.
Standing, stiff as a board, I waddled my way out of the tree fort.

Katsuki is sleeping, I shouldn't need to wake him up if I'm just going out to work.

With a grumble, and a sigh, I started down the worn path.

My head felt like a dried pot of wax. The aftermath of crying so much yesterday hit me harder then expected.
He probably thinks I'm a giant baby. A wimp who can't keep their feelings in check.

Huffing, I reached the field, thoughts pestering me even as I stood in my usual spot.

A quick raising of the Fields, and for once- I finally kept my ground. Standing atop my weary legs I felt my eyes glaze over the crop fields. Despite looking at them, I didn't take in the image that was produced- too lost in my jumbled thoughts.

Despite still being winded, I noticed I've been getting better.

Less time spent chasing air.

Less recovering.

My plants grew faster, and I drew my breathe calmer.

It was a slow change, but one that was becoming more apparent as the days slowly rolled past.

Brownie patted my back- giving a grin to me. He was so cheerful- despite being a peasant- and despite being quirkless.

I wish I could be more like that. But I guess I'm just doomed to be grungy and unhopeful.

Giving a half smile, I shrugged his arm off my back- where it was trying to linger. A familiar bark really brought me back to my bearings though, as with a glance down at my feet, there stood that little weasel.

His tail was going a mile and minute, his entire furry body wiggling out of excitement.

My half smile was notched up to a full smile, and the first thing I did was lean down to start giving him scratches.

His wiggling only seemed to increase- and I couldn't hide the giggle that came out when he gave a few random licks.

Brownie was smiling a much warmer smile beside me, and I tried my best to ignore it.

Only the big pup in front of you mattered.

"I- uh-" Brownie started, a bit unsurely before continuing much more confidently, "I noticed that you were attached to him- so I decided to bring him along."

I gave him a glance, unrelenting in my scratches, "...Thank you."

I didn't even know why I was so sad. It's not like he died. Weasels still alive- and I can see him whenever Brownie decides to bring him.

Brownie patted my shoulder, "Of course! I mean- Your welcome...!"
Finally ceasing in my scratching, I gave Weasel one last pat before standing and brushing off my knees.

Without further ado, I walked off towards the tools, giving a small nod of acknowledge ment to Red. Or well, Borin. Red was catchier though.

After that- I meandered down into the fields.

The gossip barely reached my ears. I just kept focusing on my repetitive actions, and nothing else.

While it was good to see that weasel was okay, it was still bittersweet for me.

All it made me want was to get a dog or pet of my own.

A little buddy to chase rabbits around while I worked. It sounded like a pleasant thing.

The day went fast with all my day dreaming, and all of the incessant and tugging thoughts inside of my mind.

By the time I had made it back home I had just begun to snap from my trance, recognizing the tree fort, and not even bothering to stop at the hut.

Straight to where my little special guest was.

Peeking in, the first thing I noticed was his pissy face. He looked moderately less pissy then usually, which was saying something- but without further ado, I sat myself a safe distance down and popped an apple tree up.

Delicately plucking a piece off before taking a big crunch.

Blondie, or well, what you thought was Katsuki Bakugou himself, has been looking weaker and weaker each day.

Despite how much progress you had made with him, he was still... stubborn.

Irritatingly so.

Everything in his mind was a war, and every war he had was a war he had to win, for whatever reason.

You had won one at least.

Getting him to drink water was a massive upgrade to nothing at all.

Speaking of which, you should probably head down to the river to refill.

Maybe by some blessing he'll have eaten an apple by then, or some other type of food.

Hell, grass would be better then nothing.

Finishing off the apple with one last crunch- I stood, withering the core and wiping the dust on my pants.

Unbelievable how fast the day is already going.

Stooping to grab the bucket of non existent water, you lifted it and began treading towards the exit.

"River?"

The deep raspy voice from on the ground spoke.

"River." I affirmed, trotting out and smiling to myself at the progress I've made.

An actual question from him, and not just a bunch of acidic words meant to spite me.

Progress.

Taking off into the woods, I didn't think twice before heading down the pathways I've begun to be familiar with.

A few twist and turns, and a good distance from the house, I had begun to hear a few hushed voices.

Surely I was playing tricks on myself.
The woods can make people think things, out of fear, and desperation.

But as I got closer, I realized it wasn't just the fear in my mind.

I peeked my head around the corner to spot two men, armed with swords, and official uniforms.

They had steel plates armor on, and their faces were just as iron clad in emotion as were the covered bodies.

They looked serious.

I ducked my head back behind the tree before they could see me.

'What were they doing here?' Was all I could think, before I realized where they were standing.

Right on the bloody spot.

The spot that that dumb barbarian collapsed in. Blonde hair, carnal ruby eyes, a snarl and yell that reeked of intent to kill.

Holy sh-

... They were trackers.

I tried to calm my breathing, make it quiet, and focus instead on what they were saying.

"- was here alright."

"Yeah- no shit."

"The rain makes where he went to difficult to track though."

"... I know- that storm was harsh."

"There's no way we can find were he went through tracking, we just have to get a search party together and do a wide spread search of the area."

"Sounds about right. Let's get this together as fast as possible, don't want to let him escape."

My hand placed itself over my mouth subconsciously, withholding any noise that wanted to come out.

They're searching for him.

Oh shit oh shit.

They're looking for that dumbass.

They're gonna find him and kill me for trying to save him.

My ears strained as I heard them walking off into the forest. Hopefully back to wherever they came from.

It took a good ten minutes to calm myself. A good ten more before I kept walking towards the river.

I dunked the bucket under the water when I reached it, letting myself soak up the chilled river while I was there.

Surely I can find a way around this little problem.

I should tell him first.

But shit.

If I tell him, he'll know I know who he is, and then he might try to silence me. By well, killing me.

But if a don't move him, things are gonna get real bad real quick.

How long does it take to get a search party up?

Considering the barracks at the closest town isn't that well built and based on how fancy those trackers were, they had to have been from the next town over.

Who would to go to for help? Out much shabbier bunch of knights, or they're pristine polished bunch.

That'll determine how much time we've got.

...

...

We've got...

Like this is a team battle.

With a sigh, I stood, lugging the bucket up into my arms, and turning on my heels back into the woods.

I barely remembered the walk back, too focused on everything in my head. By the time I made it back, my hands were raw from nervously scrapping them against the bucket. As I took my first step inside, I noticed Katsuki's bland glare.

Katsuki, because without a shadow of a doubt- that's who he is.

"You certainly took your time."

"..." I nodded in response to his question. Too freaked to make a response.

His eyes narrowed at me, frown settling in deeper then before.

"...What happened...?" Was the first quiet thing he asked, raspy voice even more crackly, and voice so low it sounded like a growl.

"...." I looked at him. Blankly. Before parting my lips to reply, "Just some.... men out in the woods."

His face grew even darker looking.
"They uh- looked like trackers of some sort- got me a lil spooked."

He didn't respond.

Looking into my eyes with an intense stare before flickering his eyes away.
"Did they do something to you?"

I was taken aback. Eyes widening at the prospect that he was just worried about his own skin.

"Um, no- they spooked me so much that by the time I got close enough to them, I just hid. They never knew I was there."

The dark look dropped from his face and he recoiled like he was just touching fire.

Bakugou shook his head like a horse, before stubbornly looking in a different direction.

He still looked like he wanted ti say something though, and without further ado, he muttered, "...Good."

With that, nothing else was said.

I placed the bucket near him, before plopping myself down onto the ground.

I could live with his response.