✓ | TO PROTECT YOU . izuocha

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The clinking of metal continued to grow louder, making Izuku and Ochako deathly silent. Izuku's arm wrapped around Ochako protectively, Uraraka's eyes wide in fear as she watched the slope. The tiny sounds of little rocks scattered from the heavy steps were enough to frighten the two—the metal noise was just icing on the cake.

          No doubt that's Fang, Midoriya thought, looking around for a way to escape. We can't fight him head on. Even though it's two against one, Ochako can't fight. Fang would probably take advantage of that and take her hostage. What we need is—

          His mind went blank when his eyes landed on a narrow ledge that circled along the mountain side. "A way out..." he muttered with half a smile. Turning to his classmate, he ignored the fact that they were inches apart. "You have to walk.."

          Ochako's eyes widened. "I—I can't. It hurts too—"

          "You have to be strong. That villain is out there whether we like it or not. I'll be right here with you, Ochako. You can do it."

          Ochako gulped, feeling the fear spread throughout her body, but with one look into Izuku's determined stare, she felt it recede. She nodded, causing Deku to turn away until she grabbed his hand, making him turn back to her.

          "We can do it," she corrected, earning a small smile from her friend as he stood up, helping Uraraka to her own feet. She let out a quiet hiss when she put weight down on her ankle, Izuku's hands holding her arms tightly in case she fell. After a moment, she gave him a curt nod.

          Limping over to the narrow ledge, Ochako was the first to proceed along the rock, Izuku shuffling right behind her to act as a barrier between the villain and her. The clinking had now stopped, but when the two glanced over at where they once were, the sight of Fang's snout refreshed their alarm.

          Ochako tried her best to hurry, but the pain shot up her leg with every step she took. Izuku knew this as he watched her facial expressions, and that's why he didn't rush her. That still didn't help him keep calm when Fang's black eyes were staring at him.

          Ochako looked behind them, letting out a squeal and stopping in her tracks.

          "Ochako, look at me," Izuku spoke softly, tearing Ochako's gaze from the powerful wolf. "Focus on me, okay?"

          The Zero Gravity user had a hard time in doing this, the humongous wolf walking up behind Deku—but he didn't know.

          "No matter what happens, we'll be okay, all right?" Midoriya got a nod for an answer. "Do you trust me?"

          "What?"

          "Do you trust me?"

          What kind of a question is that? Ochako was breathing heavily, the villain just a foot away. She let out a breath, calming her nerves before whispering, "Yes.."

          Izuku froze for a second, all time seeming to stop. She trusted him. That was honestly not what he was expecting. Then he heard a low growl, snapping him out of his state of shock. He furrowed his eyebrows. "Good, because you probably won't after this."

          Ochako didn't have a chance to ask him what he meant, Izuku already jumping off the cliff with her in his arms.

          They were falling through the air, the harsh rock rushing up to meet them as they fell towards it. Izuku had accidently let go of Uraraka—who was panicked to the point where she couldn't think clearly. Midoriya swallowed dryly, reaching for Ochako's flailing hand. "Ochako!"