Chapter Seventy Four

Bickering voices greeted you before you could even step into the living area, rounding the corner you were met with a collection of Class C1-A's families all scattered around watching Bakugo and his mother argue with each other.

"Five-" You turn your head, Shiro stood behind the front door, poking his head in, he nodded for you to follow. You glance over your shoulder, your class's attention still locked on Mitsuki trying to physically knock some sense into her son—angry she had not been invited by Bakugo but by Inko.

You dipped out of the dormitory to follow Shiro without anyone noticing. The warm air greeted you while the bright light still agitated your eyes causing you to squint, using your good arm to block the sun.

"What um..." You trailed off, looking around at the collection of police officers on the lawn. "...what did I miss?"

"Step here Five-" An officer directed you to stand beside a picnic table, lab equipment had been sprawled across the top. Your gaze flickers to Shiro, who was already being felt up by a man dressed in a lab coat. "-and remove your jacket."

With a deep breath you moved where the officer pointed, figuring it better to get whatever this was over with as soon as possible, you slowly unzip your jacket and handed it off.

"H-Hold your hands out." A woman in the same lab coat stutters out, wearing blue gloves and safety glasses, you pulled your brows together as questions begin to form, but you complied. The woman runs two swabs down the front and back of your hands, she turns around handing them off to a nearby assistant before repeating the test.

Why was she testing for gun residue?

As she does this test a total of three times, you scanned the yard of the dormitory filled with police, wondering how your class wasn't out here already, you snapped your eyes over to the pair running their grubby hands over your jacket.

As the woman completed her test you turn back around, locking eyes with Shiro, the two of you knew what this was. The makeshift set up, the lab technicians—who probably never stepped foot in the field a day in their career—the rush job on getting to you and Shiro first, no doubt they had taken over Gray's yard too.

You wondered what kind of evidence they were looking for to prove your group was a suspect in whatever crime they wanted to charge you with today.

"Present your weapon-" The same officer stepped in front of you. "-slowly."

You rolled your eyes but pulled your gun from its holster on your leg.

"Have you fired your gun recently?" The officer sternly questioned; your eyes flickered to the name on his chest: Anzhong.

"No." You answered.

"When was the last time you fired your weapon?" Officer Anzhong probed.

"I don't know-" You sighed, "-whenever I was sent to Deika City to help in the recovery."

"Mm." He nods, bringing your gun to his nose taking in a deep breath you couldn't stop your face from contouring.

"It hasn't been fired since then-" You glared, annoyed your gun was so close to his greasy nose. "-you won't smell anything unless it was recent." You now had to bathe your gun in purell after this.

Officer Anzhong ignored you, placing his grimy fingers all over the gun, checking the barrel.

"If you're looking for burnt carbon-" Your tone laced with annoyance. "-you won't find any, because I haven't fired my weapon."

"Were you in any physical altercation recently?" Officer Anzhong ignored your statement.

"No." You couldn't stop yourself from spitting the words out, "If you haven't noticed, I'm kinda down an arm and leg right now."

"Hasn't stopped your before Five." Officer Anzhong finally looked you in the eye, disdain for your team swirled around in his orbs.

"Mm."

"So, what is it you're trying to put on us this time?" Shiro lazily inquired.

"Let's keep the conversation down to a minimum." Officer Anzhong replied unsatisfactory.

"How about you get Naomasa down here-" You retort, "-then you can continue your little investigation."

"Where were you two last night between the hours of one and three in the morning?" Officer Anzhong completely disregarded Shiro and you.

"Let's keep the conversation to a minimum until you get Naomasa down here." You bite.

"Look-" Officer Anzhong snaps, "-answer the question or-"

"Or what?" You challenged.

"Or you'll find yourself in handcuffs."

"Fur or no fur?" Shiro turned, "Because I kinda like the feeling of the fur-"

"Shut up!" Officer Anzhong snaps.

"I don't know who you think you are to talk to him like that." You tilt your head.

"I'm the one who will finally put you Bullets behind bars!" Officer Anzhong stepped into your space, causing you to sharpen your glare, you go nose to nose with him.

"Take your best shot-" You sneer, "-because better have tried."

"Last night between the hours of one and three in the morning, two of Shooters known consultants were found dead, killed executioner style, now whose signature does that sound like to you?"

"Mm..." You trailed off in thought. "...probably Shooter, you know the villain who fooled all you for years-" You smirk, "-so why are you bothering us and not doing your damn job and finding him!?"

Officer Anzhong turned, taking a folder being handed to him, quickly he flipped through the pages.

"It is known the fifth bullet has a quirk which allows her to transport using shadows." Officer Anzhong read off the page.

"Cute-" You say, "-you doodle notes about me."

"We are not messing around Five-!" Officer Anzhong sneered; "-we are testing your gear as we speak which will reflect you two are the ones who killed those men!"

"Mm." You nod looking around. "That's why your guys are on their fourth round of tests, right?"

Officer Anzhong looked over his shoulder, the lab technicians all gave a quick shrug, quickly breaking eye contact returning to work.

"They will find-!"

"Nothing." You finish for him. "You won't find any gun residue. You'll find the bullet proof vests are still intact from when they were last repaired, and you'll see both our guns haven't been fired, so...anything else because we have plans that your kinda of interrupting."

"Yeah-" Officer Anzhong sneered back, "-there is one last bit of order we need to finish."

"What might that be-?" Shiro sighed, placing hand on his hip "-fur or no fur?"

Officer Anzhong faces contoured, flipping through the folder until he found a certain page, causing his eyes to glow before turning to face you, holding up a warrant.

"Due to the Five's ability to transport at any given time-" Officer Anzhong snickered, looking over his shoulder as his assistant walked on shaky legs, a familiar collar in his hands. "-it's been declared she be barred from the use of any quirks."

"Hell no!" Shiro leapt forward but was held back by three officers.

Your heart dropped, instantly heat circled your skin upon seeing the collar so similar to Shooters coming toward you. For a moment your brain flatlines, the only thing registering was the scar tissue on your neck, remembering the sting of the collar.

"You're not putting that on me-" Your calm voice sent chills through Shiro. "-get Naomasa here, last time I'll ask."

"There is a court order-" The officer sneered.

"That piece of paper isn't going to save your ass if you take another step." You warned.

"You wanna bet?"

"Yeah-" You nod, fingers twitching. "-I really do."

You and Officer Anzhong stared at one another for a few moments, in a heartbeat Officer Anzhong stepped forward with his assisting officer, you followed suit. Throwing your elbow upward into Officer Anzhong's nose, you felt the crunch, you didn't watch him stumble back, you turned to his assistant, ducking his punch you twisted around him, aiming for his kidney, he dropped like dead weight.

You turned, heart pounding as two more officers marched their way over, Shiro struggled on the ground, grunting in pain as the officer was placing pressure against his healing wound to keep him down.

The sound of someone dropping a baking sheet turned heads.

----

"Ow-!" Bakugo held the back of his head, "-that hurt!"

"Oh, shut up-!" Mitsuki shook her head, "-do you have any idea how much it hurt to find my own son didn't invite me to the family event!?"

"It's a family event!" Bakugo defended himself.

"I am starting to understand what's wrong with Bakugo." Kaminari murmured, seeing how many shots to the head he already took, and it hadn't even been an hour yet.

"Nah-!" Kirishima chuckles, "-Mrs. Bakugo is actually pretty cool when you get to-"

A gun shot rang out, cutting through all conversation inside the living area.

Everyone stared confused at the front door for a moment, within a split second the students of class C1-A jumped into action, Bakugo was first out the door with Kirishima by his side. Bakugo's lips parted, spotting Naomasa pointing his gun towards the grass, Shiro being held down by four men while you were standing the in the middle of three.

Slowly Naomasa retracted his weapon, placing his back into its holster as he walked over.

"Seven-" Naomasa's tone stern. "-Five, inside."

You glanced over to Shiro.

"Now!" Naomasa belts, slowly you took a step back, and Shiro was allowed to his feet. You refused to make eye contact with those scarlet eyes as you and Shiro climbed the stairs, making your way inside the comfort of the dorms.

Ignoring the mixtures of arguing voices outside you touched the corner of your mouth; bright red blood coated your fingertips, Shiro held his bleeding nose as he joined you by the couches.

"Oh-!" Mina rushed to get a washcloth for him.

"Seven-" Naomasa walked in, ignoring the bug-eyed group. "-Five-" He bowed, taking you two back. "-please forgive me for not being here sooner, you two should never have been bothered on your time off."

"Uh..." Shiro trailed off turning to you.

"Do either of you required medical attention?"

"No...?" Shiro glanced at you who just shrugged.

"Very well-" Naomasa nods, standing up. "-please enjoy your time off and we will discuss this all on Monday-"

"You're letting them off-!?" Officer Anzhong came running in, holding his bloodied face, pointing to you. "-that one put her hands on me!"

"Not my fault you can't take a punch." You shrugged.

"You little-!" Officer Anzhong seethed.

"That's enough officer!" Naomasa glared, "Don't you think you have enough to explain?"

"I-I had permission to question them-!"

"Yes-" Naomasa nods, "-you had permission to question them with me, not interrogate them alone!"

"But-But they-!"

"Seven-" Naomasa never removed his glare off the officer. "-do you know anything regarding the two murders last night?"

"No." Shiro replied.

"Five?" Naomasa turned to you.

"No." You answered.

"What?" Bakugo frowned, "Both Shiro and (y.n) were with me-" Bakugo steps up. "-in my room all night long."

Naomasa nods, turning to Officer Anzhong. "I believe this completes your investigation, return their items and leave."

"I still have questions-!" Officer Anzhong shakes his head.

"They will wait-" Naomasa glares into his colleague eyes, "-until Monday, where you are welcome to join our meeting, until then, you are not to go anywhere near the Seven Bullets, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes." Officer Anzhong hisses, craning his neck, he nods to his assistant to return your jacket and gun.

"Maybe he is on our side." Shiro muttered.

"Jury's still out." You mumbled back, accepting your jacket and gun from the trembling officer holding his nose, shooting you daggers as he scurries outside.

"Looks like our little cobbler's doing their job." Shiro mumbled under his breath, sliding on his jacket.

"It's about time." You replied, holstering your weapon.

Mitsuki stared bewildered at you, taking in how the years have carved out this beautiful hero before her, Mitsuki pulled her hands to her mouth as her eyes fell onto your exposed shoulder, the white gauze placed on the front and back showing where the bullet went through and through.

Mitsuki closed her eyes, her mind flashing back to sitting on the couch, watching you get shot on live television, recalling how it felt as if she herself had been shot through the heart, as you slid on your jacket, face visibly annoyed, tears pressed against her soft scarlet eyes.

"Naomasa-" Shiro's voice pulled Mitsuki from her thoughts. "-about that warrant-"

"I will figure it out."

"So, it's legit." Shiro raised his eyebrows.

"I don't know how it was put past me-" Naomasa shakes his head.

"If something like that can slide past you-" You stepped in, "-then we should be pretty fucking worried, right?"

"No-" Naomasa shakes his head. "-I will sort all this out, do not worry about it, and I will see you on Monday, alright?"

"Yeah-" Shiro nods, "-sure."

You remain silent, studying Naomasa stiff composure as he took his leave.

"Here Shiro." Mina offers a damp towel.

"Thanks bubblegum." Shiro groaned, slowly sinking to the couch, leaning his back holding the towel to his face. "Ugh, I feel like I got hit in the face." Shiro groans.

"That's because you let your ass get pinned." You rolled your eyes.

"(y.n)-?" Mitsuki's voice turned your head, you didn't get a word out as she engulfs you into a hug.

"Oh-" You blinked; her tight embrace caused your body to groan. "-ok...?"

"-look at you-!" Mitsuki excitedly takes a step back, hands still on your shoulders. "-you're all grown up!" Her bright scarlet eyes fill with tears taking in your rigid stature and shocked face. "-we have so much to catch up on-!" Mitsuki continued, lightly shaking you out of excitement.

"Hag-!" Bakugo snapped, stomping over, "-her shoulder!"

"Oh, she's fine-!" Mitsuki waved her son off. "-isn't that right, your fine, I'm not even touching the gauze, Katsuki shut up-!"

"Gray is going to meet us at the festival-" Shiro stepped by your side, phone in hand. "-All Might is on his way to pick them up, Aizawa is gonna be our ride, that cool with you?"

You give a short nod.

"Lucky duck looks like you're stuck with us-" Shiro turned to Midoriya, who blushed. "-little four-leaf clover."

"You all had one job-" You turned; the front door wide open with Aizawa standing in the doorway. "-go to a festival."

"That's what we're doing Mr. Aizawa." Midoriya blinked, confusion displayed over his face.

"Then care to explain what's going on on the lawn?" Aizawa pointed over his shoulder, the police were still packing up their belongings with Officer Anzhong holding his bloodied face, belting to his staff to move faster.

"They were trying to sell us girl scout cookies." Shiro shrugged, "We didn't want any."

"Really?" Aizawa raised an eyebrow.

"What they were charging was ridiculous-" Shiro grinned, "-but if you want to get some, I'm sure we can talk about it later, hm?"

"Fine." Aizawa sighed, glancing around the room, he opened his mouth, but a figure shot out from behind him.

"(y.n)!" Your eyes went wide as a child no more than seven wrapped her tiny arms around your waist, you stared down dumbfounded at the off-white hair, to stunned to feel the dull grinding of your leg.

"Eri?" You breathed, with wide teary eyes, she glanced up at you, chin buried into your stomach.

"I-I am so sorry I couldn't save you!" Eri cried, "I-I should have done more!"

"No." You pinched your brows, dropping to one knee. "You did nothing wrong Eri-"

"Are you mad at me!?" Eri cried, globs of tears falling down her round cheeks, you cracked a smile.

"I'm not." You wiped her face. "I'm just happy you made it out of there alive."

"Ye-Yeah." Eri nodded, turning around to look at Midoriya and Aizawa. "I-I had some help."

"That's good." You smiled, standing back up, Eri wrapped her arms around your waist, snugging her face into your open jacket.

"You're coming to the festival too?" Eri innocently gazed into your eyes.

"I am."

"Yay!" Eri excitedly stomped her little shoes, "We can play the games and-"

You flickered your gaze over to Aizawa who joined your side, Eri bubbled about all the activities she wanted to play, Mina and Midoriya joined in, telling her about all the kinds of foods she could try at the Star Festival.

"Why am I looking at a kid right now?" You muttered, low enough for only Aizawa to hear. "She should be like eleven right now."

"We think it has something to do with her quirk." Aizawa replied, hands in his pocket observing the happy child.

"Her quirk?"

"Her reverse-"

"I know what she has." You hissed. "I was locked in the cell next to her for months."

"The theory is her quirk has her locked in at this age." Aizawa explains, "We are working with her to try and figure out if this is the case or not. For the most part she has it under control so she can't hurt others."

"You've had four years-"

"Her quirk isn't an easy one to deal with." Aizawa breathes, "I'm sure you can relate to having a quirk no one knows anything about."

"Don't use logic with me." You scoffed.

"You two done whispering over there?" Shiro called, earning a tight knit glare from both you and Aizawa. "Because want to go to the festival-!" Shiro laughs with Eri, "-isn't that right?"

"Yeah!" Eri hops, "Can we go now!?"

"Sure." Aizawa nods. "You good?" He motions to your face.

"Yeah."

"Gray, Renata and his kid are already there." Shiro announced picking up Eri, "We need to get a move on, you know he's going to throw a fit about us being late."

"This is going to be so much fun!" Mitsuki wraps an arm around your shoulders. "Right (y.n)?"

"Hag-!" Bakugo lectured, "-her shoulder!"

"Oh, she's fine!" Mitsuki waved her son off like he was a buzzing fly.

"I got all the snacks and water-!" Mina called looking into her bag one last time while everyone piled out the door. "-who has sunscreen?"

"I do!" Mitsuki excitedly waves.

"I hate this." Bakugo growls walking behind you and his mother.

"Why shortcake?" Shiro chuckled, coming up beside him, lopping an arm around his. "Because your own mother has more game than you do?"

"Get off me!" Bakugo pushes.

"Let's go everyone." Aizawa called from the front door, "Move it."

You squinted your eyes the moment the sun hits them, you glance around feeling the muggy air circle around your body. You lick your lips glancing around the lively and exuberant group, all dressed in a kaleidoscope of festival attire, laughing and filled with excitement as they all piled into the van, prepared to embark on their long-waited adventure to the Star Festival.