"Katsuki-kun!"

Bakugou didn't react as he was pulled into the woman's arms, finding it a little embarrassing to be hugged like this in front of his generals... But how could he have the heart to pull away from her? Even if it ruined his barbaric image, he'd never hurt her. She was like family after all.
"Hey auntie, it's been a while huh?"
Inko smiled at the ash blonde king as she pulled back and ruffled his hair. He wasn't wearing his crown right now, so it gave her the freedom to move her hand around in the blonde mess.

"Queen Tsu told me you did everything you could to stop them from taking my Izuku... I'm so happy he has someone that cares so much for him"
Katsuki blushed and looked away. What did this woman know off?! Did she even realise that he and her son were basically courting at this point?! Well, they did have a fight... Behind the two royals, Katsuki's generals were watching while busily going over their plans and strategy.

There were humanoid dragons there too, but they watched from up on the support beams on the ceiling. It wasn't appropriate for them to be seen outside the castle in Dragonia so they stayed hidden here in this foreign country. With them were Shinsou and Jirou, since they were still considered to be Kaminari's partners. The trip here had been rather awkward, especially since the caravan decided to follow.

An army needs supplies, don't they?

Aizawa had spoken those words so carelessly... But then again, this wouldn't be his first encounter with death. Hitoshi frowned, inspecting the green haired woman. He recognized her almost immediately as former queen Inko. She was rumoured to be dead though... It was quite a surprise to see her alive. He sighed, tilting his head a bit as he watched the conversation unfold. Prince Izuku sure looked like her huh?

He glanced aside, seeing Denki turn away the moment their eyes met. He'd been staring at them from a distance for a while now... Shinsou supposed he felt bad about the situation but didn't know how to defuse it. Well, neither did he, let alone Jirou. So now they're stuck in this awkward zone where the word 'break-up' hasn't fallen yet but the term 'relationship' isn't accurate either.

"Ah, young Bakugou! It's been quite some time!"
He looked down again, seeing a skeleton of a man walk up next to queen Inko, placing his arm around her waist. Wait... Don't say that's-
"All Might" Katsuki breathed in shock.
"I-I... I didn't expect to see you here"
"Oh please, you don't have to greet me so formally. We're basically family after all" the former knight smiled.
"And I think you have something for me, correct?"

"Ah, yes-" Bakugou answered, taking the sword he was carrying on his belt.
"-One For All... I still can't believe you actually trusted Deku with this, uncle Yagi. He would've lost it to that bastard if I hadn't held onto it"
"Then it's rather fortunate that you did" Toshinori smiled.
"But if I may ask, why do you have the sword?"

Katsuki bit his lip. He didn't want to tell them about their argument... Did they even know about the curse? About the ancient spell? He doubted it was really auntie Inko that placed it upon Izuku... But if she did, she knew about it, right?
"I helped him sneak into the Todoroki palace so he could pay his respects at Endeavor's funeral" he answered in the end. It was the truth, kind of.

"Endeavor... Yes, I'm sure he wanted to greet him properly" Inko sighed, a sad smile on her face.
"I can't believe he's actually dead... That an assassin even got to him, it's a terrible way to die" All Might added. Katsuki's eyes widened a little. They don't know. Of course not... They live cut off of the world for their own protection, they wouldn't know unless they were told. The subject probably wasn't on Tsuyu's debriefing list...

Bakugou stared at the sword that he just handed over, the very same blade that killed Enji Todoroki...
"It's also how All For One caught him, though" Katsuki said bitterly.
"I... I couldn't protect him"
"You did everything you could" Yagi stated, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Now, let us go to the war chamber, yes? I heard the elven and fae armies should arrive here any moment and the empire arrived here even before you did-"

"Wait, hold up, that half-n-half asshole is here?!"

Kaminari flinched at that, knowing what happened to the alpha because of what emperor Shoto decided. Bakugou was pretty pissed about all that... Certainly because Kirishima was now weakened and injured, not suited to lead the pack in battle. He felt a hand on his back and turned around, seeing Jirou had reached out to him. She knew how he got when people around him yelled and screamed...

She wasn't looking at him though and she gave no sign of acknowledging what she was doing. But Denki appreciated her act of comfort. Shinsou saw, a small smile dancing on his lips. Maybe things weren't so lost after all...
"Katsuki, what's gotten into you all of the sudden-"
"That bastard is the reason Hisashi got him auntie!" Bakugou yelled, making all eyes land on him.

To speak about All For One in such a disrespectful manner, calling him by his first name without even a royal title... It was unheard off. Mostly because people were too afraid to do so, scared he might find out one way or another. Then there was the fact he called queen Inko auntie, like they were a family of commoners.
"H-he... Fuck! He gave Izuku away to that monster!" the ash blonde barbarian king shouted.

"I don't want to see his fucking face! He has no right to be here, you hear me?!"
"Here I was, thinking the two of you were close to courting... At least that's what the rumours said"
Katsuki turned around to scowl at princess Mei. Her parents and newly risen queen Momo had already moved to the war chamber to discuss the plans. Everyone was waiting for Bakugou by now...

"He tried, but there is no way in hell I'll ever court someone like him" the king hissed, crossing his arms over his bare chest. He whistled, glancing up to the support beams as a sign he was going to leave. The humanoid dragons started moving, following him through the halls, jumping down to walk beside him when they were alone.
"It's not his fault Kirishima got shot down" Tetsutetsu spoke quietly, earning an elbow to the side from Kaminari.

"Dude" the electric blonde whisper hissed.
"Don't make him more pissed off than he already is"
"Shut the hell up you two!" Katsuki hissed, glaring at the two dragons.
"I arranged a private garden for you to stay in while here. Kirishima is already there, you should be able to find it"
"What are you going to do?" Shinsou asked as the dragons moved to high ground again.

"I'm going to the fucking war chamber, what else am I here to do moron?!" Bakugou yelled.
"Now go!"
Hitoshi rolled his eyes, following the humanoid dragons as they swiftly moved through the castle. He didn't understand how the pack instinctively knew where to go. Someone had tried to explain it to him on the way here, that a pack can feel each other's presence close by. That everyone is permanently drawn towards the alpha and longs for the comfort of the nest.

Kaminari had never said such things to him... Nor had he ever seen any sense of longing... But then again, he was never truly a part of the pack, was he? No, he called Aizawa and Yamada his first pack... He said that Shinsou and Jirou were a part of it too... The caravan... That's where he longs to be, isn't it? His pack is with the caravan! Shinsou's eyes widened as he heard other voices in the hallway. Wait... Those sounded familiar...

"Oshi!"

He was ran over by Toga, who was dressed up in a fancy yet practical dress. It wasn't too long or fluffy but it wasn't tight either.
"Himiko?" Hitoshi asked confused.
"Yeah, get off him" Kyoka hissed, glaring at the girl that was holding down her boyfriend.
"Ah, the jealous girlfriend" Toga teased, getting back up either way. Before Shinsou could ask her what she was doing here, he heard others call her name.

"Toga! You can't just run off like that!" Shigaraki yelled, now also walking up to them.
"Why not~?" she whined, complaining as Tomura lectured her. Jirou and Shinsou exchanged a glance and the boy shrugged. Kaminari, on the other hand, froze up the moment Shigaraki entered the corridor.
"Hey, come on-" Ashido said, pulling at his sleeve but unable to make him budge.

"Go, I'll be right behind you" Denki whispered, his eyes never leaving Tomura's frame.
"Are you sure?" Mina asked concerned. Kami nodded, watching Shigaraki's movement carefully. Like a predator sneaking up on its prey, ready to attack. This man... This man killed Shirakumo... Kaminari had been the one who found him, who brought this lost child back with him to the caravan.

He was the one who introduced everyone to Shigaraki, who made him feel welcome. And then, the night Denki and his father were going to split ways with the rest of the caravan and return home to the Dragon Kingdom, it happened... They got attacked by bandits. He couldn't make it in time to help, but he had heard the screams from far away. Shirakumo was badly injured and Shigaraki... Shigaraki took all the fight he had in him.

He killed him... He turned his soul into a demon, into a monster... Kaminari didn't try to stop them from chasing Tomura off. No. He was too filled with grief, his eyes crying tears like a dam had broken. It was the first time he witnessed death, the passing of a person close to him... It's what triggered him to keep his distance and to ultimately stay away after Hitoshi was born.

He couldn't stand to watch everyone around him grow up and get hurt and die... His heart was too frail for that... Yet he couldn't stay away forever, could he? He went back, fell in love, left his heart open and vulnerable again... And now he's here. Shigaraki Tomura. He won't destroy his loved ones this time. Not if he could help it, at least.
"So what are you guys doing here?" Shinsou asked confused.
"Is Dabi here as well?"

"You know, we could ask you the same question" Shigaraki hissed.
"You almost killed me after fusing with Kurogiri! How are you still alive and not under his control huh?"
"Our boyfriend saved him" Jirou stated with confidence. Kaminari's heart swelled up at that. She still saw him as their boyfriend!
"Hmph... Well that boyfriend of yours must posses some really powerful magic then" Shiggy sighed.

"Yeah, you could say that... And, uh, sorry for hurting you, I didn't know what I was doing-" Shinsou sighed.
"It's alright" Tomura interrupted.
"I got healed and I'm still here so there is nothing to worry about. Say, where is Kurogiri now? You didn't just set him free, did you?"
"No, he...he trapped the demon inside a sealing stone... It was quite the spectacle" Hitoshi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

He vividly remembered Denki transforming into his true form in front of him... It was beautiful... They were both exhausted so he couldn't admire it for very long.
"Where is it?"
"Huh?" Shinsou asked confused.
"The sealing stone. Where is it?" Shigaraki asked again.
"That demon, he's... I just want him back, okay?"

"Why?" Jirou asked, frowning and crossing her arms. At least one sensible person, Kaminari thought bitterly. So Shinsou got that demon from him huh? Why isn't that all so surprising..? But more importantly, how did he come into contact with Shigaraki in the first place?
"It's just important to me, okay?" Tomura hissed, glaring at her.

Denki frowned, taking out the sealing stone. He kept it on his person at all times, seeing as it would be a disaster if it were to fall into the wrong hands. It could be used as some kind of rune stone for dark magic wielders, like how he had used it when his powers were stored inside. Shigaraki would probably sell it or something... He had contacts on the black market even before they met so Kaminari wouldn't be surprised if he relapsed after they parted ways.

"Well, our boyfriend has it, so we can't give it you even if we wanted to" Kyoka shrugged, a small smile on her face as she flung her arm around Hitoshi to show that he was hers as well. Shinsou blushed as the bold movement, she was never one to claim their love so openly... It was a nice change of pace though...
"Tch... And who is this mystery boyfriend of yours huh? Are we ever going to meet him?" Shigaraki asked as Denki jumped down from the ceiling behind him.

Both Shinsou and Jirou saw it, but Kaminari made little to no sound in doing so, which is why the other two hadn't noticed him yet.
"Oh, but you already have Shigaraki" Denki spoke, glaring at the blue haired male as he turned around. Tomura's eyes widened. Of course he recognized those bright golden eyes... Those were the same eyes that tried to pull him from the darkness all those years ago...

The person that tried to save him, tried to give him a home... And Shigaraki failed terribly, messed everything up and ran off. It wasn't until later that he met Dabi and Toga and settled down with them. Yes, those electric eyes were the first to look at him like he wasn't some kind of monster ever since he got cursed.
"Recognize me, Tomu?" Kaminari continued, confusing the other three.

Shinsou was surprised that Kaminari knew this guy. He wasn't the most open and lived in the shadows away from villages and cities. Away from the places where the caravan normally travelled... How had they met? Why did they know each other?
"K-Kaminari... You... You've barely changed, I see" Shigaraki breathed. Denki shrugged, walking past him and standing in between him and his lovers.

"I don't want to see you anywhere near us, understand?"
"You don't understand... You don't know what happened-"
"I know enough!" Kami hissed.
"Denki... How do you know this guy..?" Jirou asked, not sure she liked where this was going.
"This guy is a cursed man... Someone I tried to save... Someone I failed to save" Kaminari muttered.

"Kaminari, please, let me explain what really happened-" Tomura tried.
"You killed him! You're a monster!" Denki yelled, glaring at the necromancer.
"I tried to save him!" Shigaraki yelled back, tears welling up in his eyes.
"F-fuck... I-I... I tried to save him, Kaminari... But it went wrong... Shirakumo changed, h-his soul got corrupted a-and that's my fault! I've been trying to set it straight! I-I'm really trying, Denks"

"D-don't... Don't call me that" the half-dragon breathed, tears also filling his eyes. It wouldn't be long before he started crying now...
"The demon that fused with Shinsou... It was him, Denks" Tomura choked out.
"I-I... I've been trying to undo what I did all those years ago, I swear! J-just... Just please, give him back to me. I-I know I can find a cure-"

"What are the hell are the two of you going on about?!" Shinsou yelled, interrupting the conversation.
"Talking about demons and soul corruption and killing people a-and... And Shirakumo... That name... Why is it so familiar?"
"H-he... He used to be your uncle's best friend" Kaminari whispered.
"W-wait... You're... You're related to-" Shigaraki breathed in shock as he stared at Shinsou.

"He's Injigo's son" Denki stated, wiping the water from his eyes. Silence fell as tears slipped out of Tomura's eyes. Toga didn't know what was happening, she didn't know how to act in this kind of situation. She didn't have to, though, because only a few seconds later-
"Hey, what's going on here?"
Toya frowned at the scene. His hair was back to black, he hated that flame red colour. Yet he looked different now that his scars had been healed up.

Shigaraki turned around wordlessly and flung himself into his arms, crying for the first time in years. Dabi was confused and shocked by the action, staring silently at the others as Shinsou and Jirou tried to comfort Kaminari.
"Come on Toga, let's go. Shoto is waiting for me in the war chamber" Toya muttered, still holding onto Tenko as they started walking.

"Are you okay?" Kyoka asked as Denki was crying.
"H-he... He killed Sh-Shira-k-kumo" the half-dragon sobbed as he held onto Jirou.
"Denki, breathe" Hitoshi whispered, rubbing his back and trying to get him to calm down. It wasn't working though...
"Y-you... You knew him... How? Why? I-I... I don't understand.. Y-you went to him w-when I was taken..?" Kaminari asked, now looking at the indigo eyed insomniac.

"Yeah, uhm, we have a past together... Quite the opposite of what you've been saying, actually" Hitoshi muttered.
"W-what so you mean?" Denki asked, still sobbing but now trying to wipe his tears away again.
"Shigaraki helped me escape the Dark Lands and find uncle Shouta" Shinsou sighed, making Kaminari's eyes widen in shock. He bit his lip, scratching the back of his neck again.

"He... He saved my life. I owe him everything"

"You've never talked to us about the Dark Lands before" Jirou whispered.
"I don't like to get reminded... Gives me nightmares" Shinsou mumbled, looking away.
"Anyway, we should head towards the garden the other dragons are at before we bump into anyone else and they start asking questions"

"Y-yes, okay" Denki nodded.
"B-but we're not done talking about this, okay? Please, I don't want you to clam up about your past again"
"You're one talk" Hitoshi scoffed.
"Now come on, before your alpha gets worried"