Cat's Rule the world.... since when?!

One Torn World

Bakugo's POV:

Deku, you idiot. 

Where are you?

I slammed my fist against the wall, my frustration boiling over like an untamed fire. How the hell had everything gone to such shit so quickly? One minute, I had him right in front of me—alive, confused, but still there—and the next? He bolted. Like a damn mouse, slipping through my fingers, running off to who knows where in this damn city.

I cursed under my breath, pacing back and forth. The others were doing their best, trying to track him down, but the longer he was out there, the more dangerous things got. He's not safe out there. Not alone. Not without me.

Why the hell did you run, Deku?

The truth was, I knew why. I knew exactly why. Everything I'd said—about being a pet, about needing him to follow the rules of this world—it was all wrong. I didn't want to say it, but what the hell else was I supposed to do? This world didn't give a damn about humans like him. If I didn't get him to follow the rules, someone else would. And that someone wouldn't care about Deku the way I did.

Because, in the end, I do care. I always have.

The memories hit me like a tidal wave, crashing down on me all at once. Back when we were kids. Back when I was nothing more than a curious little cat, wandering into the human world because I wanted to see what it was like. That's where I met him—scrawny, quirkless, but with a heart way bigger than he had any right to have.

We were kids. We didn't know anything about the worlds, about the rules. I was lost, hurt, and Deku... he was the only one who helped me. Patched me up, fed me scraps of food, and even let me stay at his place when I had nowhere to go. I hadn't forgotten any of it. Not a single second. For a while, we were like... brothers.

I stopped pacing, my fists clenched tightly at my sides.

Brothers, huh?

That's the thing that tore me apart inside. Deku wasn't a pet to me. He wasn't some human I could just push around, tell what to do, and expect him to fall in line. He was more than that. He is more than that! HE IS MY BROTHER!!! If not by blood but he is my brother.... But this world... damn it... this world wasn't built for people like him. 

I'd seen it firsthand. The way people treated humans here—it made my blood boil. But I couldn't change the rules. I couldn't tear down the system. Not alone. So, I thought... maybe if I pushed Deku to follow along, just this once, I could protect him. Keep him close, make sure no one else would treat him like the pet they all think he is. But I messed up. Badly.

He's not like that. He's not some obedient dog. And I should've known that. I do know that.

Me: "Damn it!"

I punched the wall again, cracking the surface. The pain shot up my knuckles, but I welcomed it. Anything to stop the storm raging in my head. I had to find him. I had to get him back, keep him safe. This city's dangerous, and Deku, no matter how tough he thinks he is, can't survive it alone.

I knew what I had to do.

Me: "Kirishima!"

My voice boomed through the mansion, and soon enough, I heard footsteps approaching. Kirishima, always reliable, showed up with that concerned look on his face. He knew I was pissed. Everyone could tell.

Kirishima: "Yeah, Bakugo?"

Me: "I want every single one of our guys out there looking for him. Every corner of the city. No one stops until he's found."

Kirishima didn't hesitate, nodding in agreement. He knew how much this meant. Hell, everyone did by now. But they didn't understand why. Not really. How could they?

Me: "And tell 'em—" I paused, gritting my teeth. "Tell 'em not to hurt him. If anyone lays a finger on Deku, they answer to me."

Kirishima blinked, a little confused, but nodded again. "Got it."

As he left to carry out the orders, I stood there, my mind swirling with too many thoughts at once. He's not just a pet, I reminded myself again. But it wasn't that simple, was it? This world demanded he be treated like one, and I couldn't afford to go soft on him. If anyone else found out... if anyone realized I was treating him differently...

They'd go after him.

 They'd use him against me.

That thought made my skin crawl. Deku had always been the weak link, the one I needed to protect—even if he hated me for it. But I wasn't about to lose him. Not after everything we'd been through. Not after he saved my life when we were kids, pulled me out of that miserable situation when I was lost in the human world.

I owed him.

But how the hell do I protect him when everything I say pushes him away?

I growled under my breath, running a hand through my hair. I'd been raised with harsh words, rough treatment. It was how things were done here. You didn't get far by being nice or soft. And it wasn't like I'd had any role models to teach me otherwise. I learned early on—toughness was how you survived. It was how you led.

But Deku... he's different. He's always been different. And now he's paying the price for it.

Me: "Damn it, Deku... why'd you have to run?"

I'd find him. There was no question about that. I wouldn't stop until I did. And when I found him, I'd—what? Drag him back? Force him to live by these rules that didn't fit him? My hands balled into fists again. I had to figure out how to make this right.

Because as much as I wanted to protect him, I also wanted him to live. To be... free. But in this world, those two things didn't go hand in hand.

Maybe... maybe I'm not enough.

I hated the thought. The idea that I, Katsuki Bakugo, couldn't handle this situation—that I couldn't protect the one person who mattered most. But if I didn't find him soon... if someone else got to him before I did...

No.

I'm not letting that happen.

I stormed out of the room, determination burning in my chest. I'd tear this entire city apart if I had to. Call in every favor, every ally. This wasn't just about some human pet. This was Deku. My Deku. My childhood friend. The one person who knew me better than anyone else, my goddamn brother. The only family I still have around.

And I wasn't about to lose him.