Shangri La Pt. 1

9: Arrival

As they walked through the deep forests, the Todoroki Knights and the Prince were on their way to the East. It seemed the forest was the only thing holding them back because of the constant changing of paths and terrain. 

"We will be stopping to take a break, men." Shoto yelled, and everyone dropped to their knees from exhaustion, well... all except Katsuki and Gin. 

"Hah- why's it so far to get to the Yaoyorozu temple?!?" Kaminari yelled. 

"No kidding, I hope we're not training right away once we get there." Sero said. 

"It usually takes about a week to get to the Yaoyorozu temple by foot, but since we're a large group and are riding with horses, they need a break every once in a while." Gin said.

"I still can't believe the Prince is getting married soon." Kirishima said. 

"Yeah, he still has 3 months before the day comes. Which means his freedom will be gone too!" Kaminari said. 

Gin turned his glance and saw how Katsuki looked to be examining the area of the forest they were in. 

"Something up, Katsuki?" Gin asked, the other knights saw him too. 

Katsuki kept looking around and then started walking and the other knights were getting curious. 

"What's Bakugo doing?" Kirishima asked. 

"Couldn't tell yah."

Katsuki kept walking and stopped in his tracks with the rest of the knights halting right behind him. 

"Hey, what's with you stop-... ping..." Kaminari said, as he and the other knights looked up to see that the part of the forest in front of them was completely burned and destroyed. 

"Woah- what happened here?" Sero asked. 

Katsuki looked around and knew exactly what went on, this was the same fire that he caused a week prior. The same fire where he got shot from behind and saved the unknown girl from the thugs. 

Gin looked at Katsuki's face and wasn't sure if he was seeing things as he saw Katsuki's cheeks turned flush!

"What made this part of the forest turn this way?" 

"It must've been some thugs or mercenaries." Gin said, and the other knights looked at him. 

"It's normal for thugs or mercenaries to do this, they're known to usually carry something of value. And when they're about to get caught, they come to the forest and try to hide that valuable item and then set the place on fire. Where I come from, it was normal for people to use fire as a way to get their target." Gin said. 

The other knights were surprised by how serious Gin was, and then gleamed with excitement. 

"That's pretty smart, at least we've got you helping us out, Acri!" Kirishima said. 

"I'm just telling it how it is..." Gin said.

"What're all of you doing leaving the camp?" 

The knights turned around and froze when they saw that large scar. 

"Y-Your Majesty!" all of them stood up straight and halted in front of their Prince. 

"I was wondering where some of my strongest knights went, and here they are, leaving the resting area." Shoto said. 

Shoto looked up and saw Katsuki and Gin in the back of the group. 

"We need to get back on the road before nightfall. Let's go." Shoto said, turning around and walking back to where everyone else was.