The late afternoon sun hung low above the forest canopy, its golden light filtering through the dense branches and scattering across the winding dirt trail. Leaves rustled lazily in the warm breeze while birdsong echoed somewhere overhead, a peaceful contrast to the exhausted silence that had settled over the three travelers. Their packs sat heavily on their shoulders, stuffed with the supplies they'd managed to gather before setting out, each step carrying them farther from the last town and closer to... hopefully... the next.

Katsuki's patience had worn dangerously thin hours ago. Every crunch of gravel beneath his boots and every unnecessary bend in the trail only fueled the irritation simmering beneath his skin. Without Kirishima at his side, the journey felt wrong—too quiet, too slow. The dragon's absence gnawed at him more than he cared to admit, and every wasted minute felt like another minute farther away from getting him back.

Shoto leaned over Izuku's shoulder to study the map for himself, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. He didn't argue with the assessment—there simply wasn't another option.

Katsuki clicked his tongue in frustration, a low growl rumbling in his throat as he kicked a loose stone off the path. His boots sank into the soft earth with every angry step, leaving deep prints behind him. He hated waiting. Hated slowing down. Most of all, he hated being separated from Kirishima. Wherever that stubborn dragon was, Katsuki had already made himself one promise.

He was getting him back—no matter what stood in the way.