Shino didn't know what she expected when she woke up.

The white ceiling and the coolness of the room. She got up slowly. Seeing her thinner arms. She felt weaker but also smaller compared to when she was last awake.

"Shino-San, it's me, I don't know if you can hear me but I wanted to visit you. Hoping that you would wake up. Kota is worried but he didn't want to come today."

The voice, Izuku's voice. She heard every word. Every day he would visit and tell her what happened. Shino was happy, the nothingness whenever he wasn't around disturbed her more and more as time went on.

"Where am I?"

It wasn't a hospital room. No, it was her quarters in her own home at the base. Looking out in the window she saw the meadow that she all too familiar with. Only this time it was all covered in snow. It would explain the cool temperature.

Getting up was more than expected. She was indeed shorter and had less muscle mass. Her arm attacked to an IV. Unplugging it, she put her hands on the wall to help her walk. Out of her room and into the hallway. Shino labored her body to the bathroom. Turning on the light, she saw the reflection in the mirror, she gasps.

It was looking at the past. She looked around 15-16. Her red eyes stared at the long hair length. How long was she out? What happened to her?

She needed answers.

Walking out of the bathroom and to the kitchen, she needed to fix her hunger. Her body was stumbling but she didn't give up. Leaning on the countertop, she took a deep breath. Trying to cook was another thing.

She barely made a meal. Her body was exhausted.

Sitting down on the table chair, she ate alone. Giving her some strength. However, as she ate, she looked around. Noticing the silent house, she assumed her team was out on patrol or something related to hero work.

The day went by without much going on. Shino attempted to move around more before collapsing on a couch to catch some sleep. Hoping that when she wakes up that someone would be there to give her some answers.

She woke up the next day to the sound of a door opening and closing.

"Kota, go wash up. I will get breakfast ready."

Shino immediately recognized her voice. Tomoko.

"Okay." Kota, oh how she missed that little boy.

Kota ran past the couch she was laying on. Shino got up to see her nephew retreating upstairs. Making her way to Tomoko, she stopped behind her.

"Tomoko?"

The green-haired woman stopped preparing dinner, looking over her shoulder. She saw the teenage-mirror of her leader.

Tears came from her yellow pupils. Shino was surprised at the sudden embrace as Tomoko cried her name aloud. Shino returned the hug as best as she could. The leader of the Pussycats was met with so much detail and information when she asked Tomoko what happened ever since she was admitted into the hospital.

As they sat down and talked, Shino felt a tsunami of emotions ranging from pride, shock, hope, grief, and relief. So much happened in the few months she had been unconscious.

Shino cried when her comrades had passed away in the line of duty. She breathed a sigh of relief when the girl, Eri, was saved under the care of Izuku. Then soon becoming in shock when watching clips of the fights that Izuku had taken part in. The one with Chisaki was a fresh reminder, but in the aftermath, she was unconscious by then due to Eri's powers. Then the video of Izuku versus the criminal duo: Gentle and La Brava. She watched in shock as Izuku dealt the fatal blow, then trying helplessly to stop the bleeding of the villain. Only to see the teen realize he had killed someone.

"And Izuku, what happens after that?"

Tomoko shook her head in sadness. "He... forfeit the guardianship, by that point Izuku was believing that worse scenarios may be ahead for the children if he had kept being their guardian."

"I see. Can you contact him? Or has Kota contacted him? What about Eri?"

"Kota makes a point to call every day now. If he can't call or is asleep then Izuku calls me and checks upon us. A sweet guy he is."

Shino caught that subtle blush from Tomoko but decided against saying.

"How about him? How is he taking all of this?"

"To be honest, he wasn't fairing well after what happened with Overhaul." Tomoko answers. Shino asks more about it, then it unravels. From what Nemuri told Tomoko-now explaining to Shino of Izuku's mental state. Shino thought with sympathy for Izuku's internal struggles. It made sense though. Every day since the start of her coma, she heard him talk to her. About his day, his thoughts, emotions, and hopes for the future. It was true comfort in the time she was in nothingness.

It only got worse though for Izuku. She didn't know all the details that the time but now she understood why Izuku sounded like he was clinging by a thread to see her wake up.

She was his chance to know he didn't fail. At least from what Shino interpreted.

"So what now? You're awake but barely capable to do any hero work, it will take some time before you can get back on your feet."

"What was your plan when I woke up?"

"I was waiting on your decision, but considering that we lost two of our friends, I was going to retire from heroism."

Shino dropped her head. So much had changed in so little time. What if she hadn't become unconscious, life would play itself differently than now, that's for sure.

"I think I need to see him before I make any decision." Shino was bothered at how Tomoko and Kota were out of Izuku's life. They kept contact sure but nothing was holding the boy together. She had dealt with suicidal and depressed civilians. It was never a simple task. The very least was that she can personally thank him for all his hard work.

"Very well boss. But before all that... Kota! Come down here!"

The fast-paced small steps came down from the staircase.

"Yes?" Kota stopped at the foot of the stairs before he stared ahead. Shino gave a warm smile. Without a word said, Shino was tackled lightly by Kota's crying form and strong embrace. She patted his hair and told him everything was going to be alright...

A week later...

In those days, Shino was busy trying to get her strength back so could make the trip to U.A.

During those times when she was either with Kota or Tomoko or both, she was encouraged to be active more. Stuck in her teenage body, Shino had to endure again, only this time, she knew how to go about it. By the end of the week, she was able to jog about a mile without trouble.

When it was time to go, Kota was left behind with a Tomoko. Shino had made the call to U.A. before her departure. Her announcement created good morals with the staff, most particularly Midnight.

She was there to pick her up in her normal clothes. Shino and Nemuri exchanged pleasantries. The two embarked back to U.A.

"It is good to hear you're are awake and up," Nemuri admits as she turns at the intersection. Shino looks out at her fellow heroine. "It doesn't feel like much time has passed but so much has changed."

"You are right about that one."

"How is he?"

"Midoriya? We still have our sessions but it's never been the same since Kota left."

"What about Eri?"

"She is with us now. Izuku requested that he cannot visit her more than once a week, for only an hour. The rest of us didn't like the idea but knew it was necessary for his mental healing."

"I see..."

"We have notified him of your awakening and appearance at U.A. so don't worry about catching him off guard. Plus, it is only going to be him at the dorms. Winter break is now in session and his classmates had left for their families."

"Not him?"

Nemuri shook her head. "We don't know why and we have tried asking but he doesn't answer much anymore."

Nemuri was a sad woman when it came to her student. A good earnest boy but was shaken roughly by the realities of an adult. He grew up to soon, in her opinion. But nothing can turn back time to change Izuku's decision.

Once they arrived at U.A. Shino made her way to the dorms. The snow had not parted and it was continuing coming down. Once she opened the door, she was met by the heat inside. Thankful for the warmth, she walked further into the lobby.

A Christmas tree laid there in the corner of the room, class 1A had celebrated earlier than intended before they went off to their families.

There on the red couch, he sat, Izuku stared ahead. But when he heard her, turning with some disbelief. Part of him thought this was one of his many hallucinations from the stress that it caused him.

"Shino-San?" Izuku calls out. Getting up slowly to meet her now even eyes with him. Both of them were the same height now. Her being younger did it so.

"Izuku." Shino approached him. Her smile was fading somewhat from how she took in his appearance. While still built and in shape. The bags under his eyes still lingered, eyes were tired. His face looked aged. Back then, he had this innocent, optimistic expression at all times. Now it was withered, pessimistic, but still somewhat hopeful now that he was seeing her.

"Shino-san, I... I am sorry for not upholding the duties that you give me." Izuku looked in shame and bowed his head. The formality was angering her, however, she calmed down and reached for his cheek, making him face her.

"Shino, we are far past that point Izuku. And you did nothing to apologize for. You took care of Kota liked I requested of you. Thank you, so much." She brought him into a hug. Izuku froze for a moment, his mind not registering the embrace. But after a second, he wrapped his arms around her and cried on her shoulder.

Shino sighed in relief, thankful that she was giving Izuku a chance to help him unwind.

After his breakdown, Izuku and Shino sat on the couch. They just talked for the rest of the evening.

For Izuku, he felt happy. For the first time in a while. Due to the circumstances following after his bout with Gentle. Izuku lost trust within himself. He couldn't allow any of the children to see him at his lowest point then being victims of his suffering. Izuku didn't talk about the bad stuff, just good things. What he taught Kota over the weeks, how Eri was braver as the days went on.

Shino saw something in him that made her heart swell. Pride, Izuku had pride in the kids he looked after, a pride that he was able to help them go about the day in peace. In those moments of happiness, Izuku never took it for granted.

The pair kept talking, even reminiscing on the time when Shino was an assistant teacher for his class and took care of Kota with him. Sharing laughs and smiles at those fond memories.

Once night fell. Shino was about to leave but Izuku stopped her. "Shino? I wanted to ask but can you spend the night? Here?"

"With you?" Shino was asking, she wasn't sure what to expect. Izuku nodded with embarrassment before admitting his reasons. "I have had nightmares since you were hospitalized. So can I have your company, just one night?"

Seeing the hope in his eyes made her answer his plea. "Okay. But do you have any extra clothes? I only have this outfit." She had intended this to be a one-day visit.

"Thank you. I will get you some clothes right away."

As Shino went to the showers, Izuku got some sweats and a shirt to make the outfit. Placing them on the sink in the bathroom, he told Shino that he left it there. The woman-now-teen thanked him as she continued her showering.

Izuku went back to his room. It still had the bunk, his room was bare. He didn't have the children's clothes nor the toys laying around. Just the bunk bed, the dresser, his desk, and backpack sitting in the corner with the dumbbells next to it.

Hearing the door close behind him. He looked to see her in his clothes. "Thanks for the clothes."

"No problem. Do you want the bed? I can take the futon."

"No take the bottom bunk, I will take top." Shino decides before they go off to bed.

In the night, she was a light sleeper, always dreaming about the talks Izuku would give her when she was resting. This time, she woke up to some movement beneath her. Leaning over the edge, she saw Izuku moving around, his body was sweating in fear.

Was this a common occurrence?

Using her quirk for the first time, she tried to read his thoughts as he tossed-an-turned.

'You're a killer! Monster! You took him away!' La Brava screams at him.

'I didn't mean to! Please, I am sorry!' Izuku cries back.

'You need rest, Deku, please. Take a break.' Ochako begs.

'I can't Ochako! I just can't.' Izuku argues back.

'Be with me forever. I don't want to lose you!' Eri cries.

'Baby, nothing lasts forever.' Izuku comforts.

'I can help too!' Kota demands.

'No, I can't lose you, I won't forgive myself otherwise.' Izuku lectures.

'Take care of Shino for me.' Ryuko requests.

'I will. Be careful.' Izuku assures.

With each thought, Shino climbed down to the lower bunk. Hearing her best friend's request made her cry silently. Shino was only getting glimpses of the trauma in Izuku's heart.

His back toward her, he was facing the wall. Shino uncovered the bedsheets and went inside with him. She holds him from behind. Luckily, Izuku stops fussing and relaxes after a couple of minutes.

Eventually, the two fell to sleep.

The next morning...

Izuku woke up early like before. Getting up and out of bed, he saw her gone. Izuku was grateful for her being in the same room as him. The nightmares were not as strong as previous nights.

Leaving the room and heading downstairs, he smelled breakfast being cooked. In the lobby, he saw her in the kitchen.

'Good morning.' She telepath. Izuku was caught off guard but in a good way. He missed that telepathy about her.

"Good morning. What are you cooking?"

"Something simple, you don't mind do you?"

"No, not at all."

Shino smiles as she puts their breakfast into two bowls as the pair eats.

Izuku looks in a comparison between the two, Shino had more than him. He got a look from her before he chuckles.

"What's so funny?"

"You remind me of Eri. In the beginning, she would eat a lot more than me and Kota."

"Well being bedridden for months does that to a person," Shino admits meeting his humor.

Another moment of silence before Izuku asks. "You will be heading back?"

"I was but..." Shino points to the window. Izuku looks behind him to see how much had piled since yesterday. "Many train stations aren't running at the moment. Some even got damaged during the snowfall last night."

"Aren't their procedures when this happens?" Izuku questions as he turns back to her.

"Normally yes, but officials are working on making sure the trains are working and able to continue before allowing passengers."

"And Tomoko or Kayama-Sensei? They have vehicles."

"Are you that eager to let me go?" Shino teases causing Izuku to panic with embarrassment.

"N-No, not at all. You only recently awaken, I figured you want to spend more time with your family than be here with one of your past interns." Izuku explains with some dejected tone. Shino paused, he had changed, and not for the better.

"No, your company doesn't bother me. It's the opposite." Shino says. In truth, she was trying to repay a debt to Izuku for keeping her company most of her time in the hospital.

"That's good to hear..." Izuku smiled weakly at her. Shino returns a brighter smile, hoping the keep the mood as welcoming for the teen as he was for her.

"But as for your previous question. I already contacted Tomoko about it and I don't want to bother Nemuri since she is off-campus. Figured I will stay until the trains work. Which will probably take two days at most."

Izuku nods. He was guilty that he was grateful for the delay. By unknown power, it gave him a chance to spend more time with her.

After the two finished their breakfast, Izuku had to do chores, since he was the only resident at the dorms at the moment. Shino offered to help out some which Izuku accepted. The two would chat as they did the work needed around the dorms.

Once it was noon, Izuku offered Shino to train with him and to show her his Neko Dance. A move she only saw bits of pieces before the Chisaki confrontation. Then now, she saw how much he improved it.

Once he finished his demonstration, Shino caught sight of Izuku looking at his hand with some far-away look.

"Don't blame yourself. You did it to protect yourself. It would have been worse had Kota stayed. I am glad you made that decision."

"It's not that, I don't regret defending myself. It is the fact that took away a lover, someone special to another person. That woman, La Brava, was hurting. For a moment, I saw what could have been myself if I lost Kota, Eri, or even..." Izuku looks at Shino.

"Even what?"

'You.' Izuku thought, Shino heard the voice in his head. She blushed like a high school girl when it was said firmly.

"You, Shino." Izuku states. Mere seconds after she read his thought. The woman sighed. It was a confession of sorts. She was aware of his feelings for her, but so much has happened that those feelings could turn into something else.

"Shino... I have been meaning to tell you." 'You probably will reject me but I need to tell you this.'

"I love you. For a long time now. In the beginning, when you were still around, I thought it was just physical attraction that made me look your way. But... that changed. After you were hospitalized, I stop caring about your looks and hoped for your return. As time went on, it became more difficult for me. There were days that I wanted to give up my responsibilities or give in to my desires. But what kept me together wasn't anyone else but you. As days went by, I became more and more infatuated with you. Hoping the day that I convey these feelings. So there... my feelings for you. But you had already known that. Didn't you?" Izuku admits, his heart was lifted a weight of the burden of these repressed thoughts.

Shino nods that his question. But there was still one more left to he said.

"With all of that said; will you be my girlfriend." He asks the question with such intensity.

When the question came, Shino didn't think of her actions. For the first time since she woke up, things were so simple. All of the chaos and drama seemed to take backstage from the mood being set right now.

"Yes." It wasn't the affirmation that Izuku was expecting at all. Izuku was expecting to get rejected, have a pep talk about how things were so complicated or that he was too young for her despite aesthetics. But "yes"? That was something he believed to be almost a no-chance of happening.

"Yes?"

"I said it did I not. I will date you." Shino says with a smile.

"Really? You have no issues going out with me?" Izuku looked almost dumbfounded but a smile was creeping its way slowly.

"Me? No. Society? Maybe. Our relationships with friends and family? Who knows? The thing about growing up is that you left wondering if you had a second chance to do things differently. Something that I don't want you to feel later down the road when you get to my age."

"Is that your only reason?"

"Who said it was? Izuku, I may have flirted or teased guys in my teenage years, but that as far as I went. Once my career kicked off, I had little time for relationships. Or at least I believed it to be." Shino says as she shakes her head at her old mindset.

"Now I see why Ryuko was so motivated to find a partner. She saw qualities in you that it took me a while longer to see it for myself."

Izuku had this confused expression as he walks towards her.

"Izuku, I maybe sixteen or fifteen right now, but I still have the mentality of my thirty-one-year-old self. Even I wanted to settle down and start a new chapter of life. I was willing to do that by raising Kota into becoming his person. But now, you there too. As my boyfriend."

Izuku smiled at that, he was more than happy to be with her. In a way, this was sort of a fresh start for him.

The pair shared a genuine expression of happiness. There was no more weight upon Izuku's shoulders.

When all was said and done. The two finished the day and headed back to the dorms. Izuku offered to cook dinner which Shino obliged. Most of their time was spent on getting to know each other, something Izuku longed to do.

Once the top on the family came up, Shino offered a sad expression. "My mother passed away when I was fourteen. Dad, died when I was twenty-six."

"Sorry! I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Izuku apologized.

"No, it's not your fault. You didn't know. Besides, I have moved past it already."

Izuku nods at her. Glad that he didn't re-open any old wounds on her. Then it was Shino's turn to ask him.

"What about your parents?"

"Oh, Dad is overseas right now for his job. Mom is at home right now."

"And why aren't you home with her?"

It was Shino's turn to see that pained look. "After what happened with Gentle and La Brava. I couldn't show my face to her. Even though everyone tells me that I killed him in self-defense. That never felt right for me, in the moment I didn't care anymore. I let my stress overcome me and Gentle paid the price for it. So..."

"Have tried contacting her? To let her know you are staying back at the dorms?"

"Only text. I didn't want to talk. Afraid of what she might say to me."

Shino pitied Izuku, placing a hand on his. The weight of their palms resting on his knee. She almost forgot the reason why he looked so aged, he lost his innocence. Izuku looked at her with shame.

"I won't say what you did is the right thing. But you are honest with yourself, that is the first step. Instead of staying here alone, you should be with your family. So when I leave tomorrow, I want you to leave with me. We will see each other off at the train, and you head back home. Do that for me. Otherwise, it will become harder and harder to communicate with her." Shino pleads gently. Sighing, Izuku accepts her request.

With no more conversation, the two went to sleep with Shino waking up again to comfort the boy in the lower bunk below her.

The morning went as normal, Shino made breakfast for the pair. Izuku got his stuff ready to head back. Shino called Tomoko that she will be heading back home today.

Overall, it was a normal morning. The trains were up and running, it was time to head home, for both of them...

A few weeks later...

"Are you excited Kota?" Shino asks as they walked through the buildings leading to their destination.

"Yea! It's been so long!" The child expressed glee. The pair were walking alongside Tomoko, Midnight, and little Eri.

"They should be done by now right?" Tomoko asks Midnight. The lady nods. "Yep, I got word from Aizawa. They finished a few minutes ago."

This was good, they were almost there. Looking down at the two excited children. The stairs were the last thing keeping them from achieving their goal. Kota had long forgiven himself for blaming and harassing Eri and the girl forgave him too. The children were closer than ever before. No longer holding the awkward and uncomfortable wedge between them.

Once they reached the top, Kota and Eri sprinted towards their goal.

"Izuku!" Both children cried in joy.

The ladies saw the teen's outfit. To Shino's and Tomoko's pride and Nemuri's pleasure, it took some inspiration after the Pussycats outfit. Izuku sporting a dark green crop jacket and black undershirt underneath. He wore black claw gloves, still carrying the trademark red shoes. He wore black jeans accompanied by his utility belt with the jeans carrying a green appendage tail.

"Kota! Eri!" The teen caught them in a hug and carried them off the ground. Both children laughing.

Once Izuku caught the eyes of Shino, he was surprised.

Shino wore her hero suit, only albeit a bit smaller to fit her current frame. Same as Tomoko as well.

"Hey, Shino." Izuku greets walking over to her.

"Izuku, that outfit looks nice on you."

"Thanks, since my old costume got ruined, I kinda wanted to change it." Izuku blushes at the compliment.

"What brings you here?"

"What? I can't see my boyfriend?"

"N-No! You can see me as much as you want. You didn't let me know beforehand that's all!"

"Then you wouldn't enjoy the surprise."

"What surprise?" Izuku asks as Tomoko and Nemuri giggled. Shino looked at him with a beaming smile.

"Shino Sosaki, the newest addition in class 1-A."

Izuku beamed with her. This was amazing to hear. But the amazement left him wondering...

"You're a student? How did this happen?"

Shino pouted before explaining the situation to Izuku.

Apparently, due to her inactivity, the hero association wanted to question her status as a hero. But when Tomoko explained the situation while Shino was bedridden, the hero association made a call to suspend Shino's license until she was deemed fit and able for hero work once again.

"So coming next Provisional License Exam, I will start doing my usual hero work with Tomoko. And..."

"And?" Izuku tilted his head as Kota, in his arms, was holding back a bright smile.

"We want you to join us. Only if you don't mind hero teams."

Izuku was taken by surprised by so many different things. Over the last few weeks, Shino never had mentioned this. They went on a few dates but nothing important was spoken, he made him almost want to hug her for even inviting him into her squad.

"Yes." Izuku agrees with no hesitation.

"Well, we have plenty more discussions needed but those were the important ones. Let's head back." Shino offers, as Izuku gives Kota to her. Both of them walked back, catching up to the class that they will be sharing.

Things will change, for better and for worse but nevertheless...

Shino will be there with him one step at a time as Izuku has and continues to be for her.

A choice that she will forever be grateful for making...

Authors note: Hello everyone, I want to say thank you for reading and sticking by after all these years. "Mature Yet Young" was my fourth story that I ever published and I am glad I completed it ( even though it kinda went away from what initially intended it to be).

Also major shoutout to Anime_MultiPlay_ (From Wattpad) for helping me with many of the stories that you have read on my account including this one.

Thank you for all the support and hopefully see you again in the future. Take care!