She's the Man
Summary: When her twin brother Izuku becomes hospitalized, Izumi Midoriya assumes his persona to take the Entrance exam and ensure his acceptance to U.A. High School. However this one act of kindness gives her more than she or her brother bargained for.
Chapter 1: Twin Bond
Inko Midoriya was pronounced dead at 12:43pm on her children's 12th birthday. She'd been preparing their birthday dinner, when a storage fire had caused the apartment building she was living in to explode.
Izuku and Izumi Midoriya, her twins, had thankfully been at school, but had come to find they had no home or mother to welcome them. Originally it was believed both of them were quirkless… but that horrific event had triggered something inside them. As they clung to each other, screaming in grief, their deep seeded quirks activated. Both of them possessed the quirks to enhance their body's natural abilities, their cries of agony became shockwaves, their grips on each other put bruises on the skin, and when the cops tried to console them, both ran, their speed, even as they clenched each other's hands, was unmatchable.
They ditched and dodged the police for hours, refusing to be taken in because they knew where it would take them. However, they were two 12 year old kids, with no family, and where to go.
"What are we gonna do now, Izuku?" Izumi cried as they sat on a bench near the train station. It was now dark outside. The air crisp and cool with fall, and Izuku pulled off his jacket to drape it around his sister. "Where can we go? We don't have anyone left."
"I don't know… but we can't stay here." Izuku clenched his hands in his pants pockets. The effects of their quirks had worn off, both were tired, and sore from the exertion of power. "If we stay, they might separate us. We can't let that happen, we're all each other has now."
"We can't just keep running, what about school? What about mom's body and her funeral arrangements, what about-" her mind whirling with worries and grief Izumi started to go into panic mode.
"Izumi and Izuku Midoriya…" a voice called out and had both of them jerking their heads up. They got to their feet when they saw the police badge and both looked ready to run but he held his hands up for peace. "Easy… my name is Detective Tsukauchi. I'm a friend."
"You won't take me away from my sister! I know the law says you have to put us into juvenile services but you have to keep us together, otherwise we'll just keep running!" Izuku boldly told him and had Tsukauchi smiling.
"That won't be necessary, Midoriya-kun. According to the records we have, the rightful guardian is listed and I'll be taking you to him." He put a hand over his heart. "I swear it to you."
"What?" Izumi came out from behind him. "Our mom didn't have any family left… our grandparents died when we were babies."
"Wait… our father?" Izuku suddenly spoke up. "Is it our father?"
"No, but why don't I let him make the introductions. Come." He motioned them to his car. "You've both have had a long day. I'm sure you're tired and could use some food and sleep."
The two of them looked at each other, and gripping each other's hands they nodded and walked with him. They were taken to the police station where they were fed, and able to take small naps in the breakroom. At nearly one in the morning the doors to the station opened, and a short elderly man walked in hobbling on a cane. It surprised them both to see he was wearing a hero's costume.
"So, these are my new wards, huh?" Gran Torino tapped his cane smiling. "Good evening."
"Um, excuse me, but who are you?" Izuku asked keeping a protective arm around his sister.
"You can call me Grandpa Torino… and I'll be taking your charge as of today. I've finished the paperwork, so come on you two, I'll take you to my home." He turned and waited for them. Izuku and Izumi looked to each other, teary eyed and worn, but followed obediently.
Torino lived south of Tatooin, in a small town on the outskirts of the countryside. The population was small, and the crime rate next to nonexistent. It was the perfect place for them to mourn in private.
Over the next few days Gran Torino took the time to analyze and admire them. The two looked very much alike, had they both been boys they'd be identical. Still Izumi had fair skin, delicate hands, almond shaped eyes, and hair long and curly around her face. Izuku was thin, and despite the boyish physique he had a feminine gait when he walked. His short crop of hair was thick and curly like his sisters but rested just above his earlobes.
In personality they were similar but didn't quite match up like their looks did. Izuku was honest and studious, and even when trying to show courage, and fight back his eyes plainly showed the fear inside him. And while Izumi was shy and quiet, he often saw a flicker of fight and spark lying just under the surface. He imagined she had a temper hidden behind that quiet demeanor of hers.
He had plans for them, especially now that their quirks had awaken. It was his charge to guide them, and ensure they would stay safe, as their father had asked of him.
"So…" Gran Torino sat at the table, Izumi at the stove cooking breakfast, and Izuku scribbling notes his book. He'd bought them all new clothes and supplies, but because of his lack of proper funds he'd have to homeschool the kids himself since he couldn't afford tuition. "I've given both of you time to adjust to your new surroundings. It's time we got serious."
Izumi glanced back from the stove, and Izuku up from his book. Gran Torino scratched his temple… they even stared blankly at him the same way. Twins… powerful twins… scary.
"I heard you two have only recently awoken your quirks."
"That's right…" Izuku sat up straight. "The doctors believed we were both quirkless… something about our pinky toes." Izuku wiggled his toes, and lifted up his pinky finger staring at it curiously.
"Ah, Doctors. What do they really know?" Torino waved it off. "At any rate, the reason I was put in your charge is because of a promise I made to your father."
"Our father?!" Izumi nearly dropped the spatula. "You know who he is?"
"I do… but don't get excited because I was also told never to tell you the truth. That man will reveal himself to you sooner or later, in his own way."
"He's still alive," Izumi scowled at that and tapped her fingers irritably on her crossed arms. "Where the hell was he when mom needed help?"
"Izumi…" Izuku scolded. "That's not fair."
"Isn't it?" Izumi slammed the spatula down and turned off the fire. There… Gran Torino thought with a slight smirk. There was the temper he'd sensed. If the girl could argue, she could certainly fight. "We've never met the man, he keeps his distance, practically abandons us and thrusts us into the custody of other people. If he's really that concerned about our well being, then where the hell is he?"
"That's enough, Izumi. As I said before he'll reveal to you in time and you can ask me all these questions when he does. For now it's my job to make sure you're properly trained, and protected."
He smiled when Izumi put his Taiyaki in front of him then Izuku's proper breakfast in turn before sitting down herself to eat. After a firm bite of his breakfast he wagged a finger at them.
"You'll have to think hard on how you will use these quirks in the future."
"Izuku already knows what he wants." Izumi spoke up and smiled at her brother. "You want to be a Hero like All Might, don't you?"
Torino raised a brow when Izuku flushed and rubbed the back of his head.
"Ah well, yeah sort of."
"Izuku's always dreamed of being a hero, and he's idolized All Might for years." Izumi explained. "It's the reason why he's always kept a journal of all the heroes he's admired and writes down strategies and analyzations on their quirks and fighting styles."
"Is that so? Interesting, you'll have to have you show me that one day."
"I'll have to see if I still have any. Most of them went up in the fire, but I have a couple I wrote down from memory." Izuku fiddled with his bag and Izumi shook her head.
"Kacchan has one of them doesn't he? You said he wanted to borrow it."
"Uh right…" Izuku scratched his cheek nervously. "He may not have it anymore."
"Kacchan?" Torino questioned.
"Back home he has a friend named Kacchan. He's an amazing talent, and Izuku's always looked up to him, although he tends to be a jerk in my opinion."
"Kacchan just likes to brag," Izuku started and Izumi frowned into her tea.
"And be a bully." She finished. "Izuku has the heart of a real hero. The only thing he lacked is a quirk." She turned fully to her brother. "Now that you have one, Izuku, you can finally live that dream out."
"Ah, yeah, but I don't even know how to use it yet." Izuku looked at his hand flexing it. "For the past couple days I've been trying to activate it again, but nothing happens."
"One for All is not a quirk that's easy to control." Torino put in. "You will both need to learn to activate it and control it."
"One for All?" Izumi raised a brow. "Is that what it's called?"
"It is your father's quirk. Normally that power is passed down to only one per generation, but since the two of your are twins you're the first in nine generations to both possess it. It comes in many shapes and forms, but in essence it's an ability enhancer. Strength, speed, dexterity, even charisma. The more power you attain, the stronger the quirk becomes for the future possessor. Many have tried to steal this quirk for themselves through… forceful means, and it's dangerous to reveal its secrets to the world."
"Is that why we've never met our father, and why we're here with you now?"
"Yes, and if you truly want to be a hero Izuku, we have much to go over. Izumi what about you?"
"Hmm?" Izumi lifted her eyes up from her meal. "Me?"
"Yes, what would you do with One for All?"
Izumi thought about it, tapping her fingers on her teacup and smiling slowly.
"It doesn't matter as much to me as it does Izuku… but I'd like to be a hero as well. I want to be able to stand by him, and help him in anyway that I can." She grabbed Izuku's hand smiling.
"You have no aspirations of your own? Being a twin is good, but you're your own person, Izumi." Gran Torino started but Izumi shook her head.
"You wouldn't understand, no one ever does. Izuku and I...we've been together since birth, he's my best friend, and I'd do anything for him."
Anything. She repeated to herself while looking at her brother. Despite having no quirk her brother had always inspired her. Even when he was afraid even when he was against odds Izuku always found a way to fight back and protect what he cared about.
~Three Years Later~
"Baka Brother…" Izumi frowned at her brother in his hospital bed. "You could have gotten yourself killed."
"I'm sorry, sis…" Izuku, bandaged from the neck down lay back against his pillow sighing. "I couldn't help it, no one was around. What was I supposed to do?"
"Call the police… call Grandpa… just because there's no heroes in this town doesn't mean you gotta save everyone yourself. You don't have a license, you don't have enough fighting experience, and now Grandpa is being reprimanded by the cops again. What will you do if he loses custody of us?"
"I said I was sorry, what more do you want me to say?" He grunted in pain and had Izumi's temper surfacing.
"That you'll never do it again!" She screamed at him rubbing at her tears. "Idiot."
"Don't cry, Izumi… I can't wipe them, they've got me bandaged like a mummy." He fidgeted and wrinkled his nose feeling it itch.
"Grandpa can't afford proper healers," she wiped at the tears herself and reached out scratching his nose for him and he sighed with relief. "You'll be in the hospital for months healing from this."
"Months?!" Izuku suddenly looked panicked and he slammed his head back. "Damn it… that means I'll miss the U.A. entrance exam."
"What?" Izumi's head shot up. "U.A? You were seriously gonna take that test?"
"Of course. It's the same place All Might graduated. Its the best school for heroes and-"
"The hardest one to get in. They only have a 1% acceptance rating you know. I hear their practical test is no joke either."
"I was prepared for that...but I guess it doesn't matter now." Izuku sighed his eyes going miserable. "There's no way I'd recover in time to take the test. I'll just have to wait and apply next year."
"You...really want to go don't you?" Izumi frowned and gripped her skirt in her fingers. "That's why you've been putting in all that extra time training and studying. Why you go off on your own for days at a time and come back drained."
"Yeah, now its all going to waste." Izuku shut his eyes tightly. "Kuso…I know I saved that woman but...now it all feels so useless."
"Brother…" Izumi looked down. She hadn't seen him this upset since the doctor told them they were quirkless. If U.A was what he wanted….she bit her lip before standing. "Leave it to me."
"What?" Izuku glanced up at her. "what do you mean leave it to you?"
"Don't worry about it. You just concentrate on getting better. I'm here for you, Izuku, I always have and always will." She clenched her first over her heart and smiled at him. "I won't let you down."
~Izumi~
Easier said than done, Izumi thought. Even with Grandpa Torino busy at the hospital taking care of Izuku she found it hard to go through with her plan. She had tried to get a hold of the school and ask if her brother could take the test on another date after he recovered but was shot down immediately. There were too many interested students to accommodate just one inconvenience or so the representative told her.
So she'd go with the desperate plan B. Since Izuku couldn't take the exam, She'd take it for him. Izuku was smart and strong and would have certainly passed with flying colors. She just had to do well enough to get accepted and then he would prove himself come the beginning of the school year.
Cutting her hair would be the painful part. She thought about using a wig but worried it would fly off during practical. She'd always had long hair, and to see it in a pile on her bathroom floor made her heart drop.
She didn't even like the way it came out, all those short curls framing her face. She just looked like a cute girl with short hair. She needed to boy herself up. She tried taping her chest but her breasts were too big and she whimpered from the pain.
She needed help pulling this off and knew exactly who to go to.
"Hatsume-Kun?" Izumi poked her head into the basement room of the Hatsume household.
"Who is it?" Mavis Hatsume called from above in A sing song voice. Izumi scanned the room before looking up and going blue.
"Geh! Hatsume-kun! You're flying!"
"Ah Midoriya-chan! Aren't my new babies wonderful? I call them hover soles!" He lowered himself down and flipped up his goggles grinning. "They're my ticket to enter U.A support course."
"They're wonderful!" Izumi admired them and lifted a hand to run over the slick metal. I liked the buster jetpack you made but these are awesome and I bet real useful for heroes with floating quirks, help them gain speed and control."
"You know it. Now how can I help you, Midoriya-Chan?" his eyes twinkled. "Need me to make one of my super cute babies for yah?"
She laughed even as a sweat drop formed at her temple. She wished he wouldn't use her and his cute baby in the same sentence.
"Maybe though I wouldn't put it like that. I need you to help me turn into my brother."
Mavis scratched his cheek.
"Hmmm you want me to turn you into your brother? That's a curious request. How shall I do it?" He contemplated a moment looking her up and down and then thumping his hand on his palm he grinned. "I've got just the thing!"
He hurried off rummaging through his stuff and pulled out a full body jumpsuit.
"This! I made it for those heroes that want to appear intimidating. I'll just need to add a few modifications." He glanced back at her. "You'll want to change your hair as well."
"I already cut it what more do I have to do."
"It still looks too feminine. You should try a much bolder cut, something boyish and trendy. A side shave would look great on you and Midoriya-kun."
"A what?!" Izumi paled as Mavis searched around and pulled out a buzzer from a drawer.
"Leave it to me." He sent it revving and had Izumi bolting for the door.
"Oh no you don't… no, I said no gaaaaaahhhh!"
~twenty minutes later~
Izumi whimpered as tears spilled down her cheeks. She'd been so frightened of the initial cut and now to see more if her hair on the floor broke her heart.
"Its for Izuku, it's for Izuku…"
"I've finished the modifications. Try it on…" he held out the bodysuit and Izumi numbly took it and walked behind a large machine to change. She slipped on the body suit and the moment she zipped it into place Izumi gasped as it moved and squeezed and molded until she was flat chested and sporting a six pack along her belly.
"Holy- Mavis! You're a genius!" Izumi admired herself in the mirror and saw her brother staring back. "That's his body shape to a T! The hair…" she slid her fingers over the buzz against her temple. The rest of her hair was curly and layered but the buzz added a chic edge that took away the feminine accents on her face.
There was only the slightest difference in their features now. Her almond shaped eyes, gentle brows, and the size of her feet was all that differentiated her and her brother.
"You'll need to recharge it overnight, it's a standard battery pack kept here in waist. I can shorten the sleeves to elbow length if you'd like.
"Yeah, that'll make it easier to hide under clothes. Other than that everything's great.
"So… what do you think of my cute baby Midoriya Chan?"
"I think it's perfect… and just what I need." She looked over her shoulder smirking. "Name your price Hatsume-Kun. I'll take it!"
~Ask Briry~
Briry: New Fic, New universe… what's next? You'll just have to keep reading to find out. For those who don't know yet, the "Ask Briry" section is where I and the story characters can answer various questions asked by you the viewers. You all can ask whatever you like, providing it doesn't provide spoilers further down in the fic. So get creative!
Next Chapter: Rivals Reunited