Author's Note: Interesting tidbit I've noticed in this fandom, apparently this is the only story with Himiko Toga identified as a main character in the little descriptions despite this being not the first to focus on her. Seriously I search H. Toga and my story comes up only. To any author doing a Toga-centric story, her name is there so add it!


Dark Light Chapter 4

Izuku bit back a groan as the final bell rang, he had been dreading this part of the day which was odd because most children his age would jump at the chance to get out of school. In fact some of them actually did, literally jumped out the door a moment after the bell rang using a Quirk that allowed their legs to coil up like springs.

Sighing in resignation Izuku packed his bags slowly and with trepidation. He was seated near the back of the class dead center, an ideal place that's not too far for him to be distracted by some of the seedier happenings the teacher is unaware of, yet not so close that said teacher notices when he makes some jotting in his other notebook.

Not that anyone really pays attention to him anyhow, he still retains his title of 'Quirkless' so as far as anyone is concerned he's not worth the time spared. Or so he would like to believe but as of late he has been getting some unwanted attention. Thankfully it is only for this time of the day but it still nonetheless irked him.

In the end he resigned to his fate with a sigh, slung his backpack on and trudged out the door with the enthusiasm of a man on death row. He kept his head low more so because he was in thought than he was trying to avoid anyone's eyes. Izuku wasn't famous so much as he was infamous for not having a Quirk but he was such a wallflower who was coincidentally popular with the teachers that people didn't antagonize him.

As he walked out his green eyes warily scanned the gate leading outside the school. To his mortification he was not to be spared today either. Leaning by the gate with legs crossed, messenger bag held before them by both hands, smile in place while (probably) humming a tune was the cause of his current distress.

Her eyes flickered to him and she broke out into a grin that had him brace himself "IZUKU!"

The shout drew looks from the surrounding students and Izuku ducked his head, a fierce blush permeating his face. His steps hurried until he was outright running. Izuku wasn't one to stand out, years of living in Katsuki's shadow made him avoid the spotlight. This situation was anything but ideal for him so he wanted to be as far away from school as possible.

"Hey, wait up Izuku"

He could hear her trying to catch up to him but Izuku had been running long distance relentlessly almost every day for almost a year and a half. If he couldn't outpace her then either she had a speed Quirk or he was wasting his time training. Izuku ended up running straight towards the seaside park without stopping.

He was winded but nowhere near tired, the same couldn't be said for his pursuer who ended up having to lean against the rails as she wheezed "that was mean Izuku, running away like that" she looked at him, her face flushed, he would've thought from the run but he's come to realize that her face was always flushed for some reason.

"S-sorry I just needed t-to get away f-from s-school" he averted his gaze.

He hated stuttering like that, he'd built up his confidence a lot since he moved but that was in general and unfortunately talking to girls without getting tongue-tied was a work in progress. Talking to Himiko was even worse because she comes on strong and was almost always smiling.

She sprung up "it's okay, we should get started on your training" before Izuku could reply his hand was grabbed and he was pulled down to the beach.

…she comes on very strong.

Izuku's relationship with Himiko was a complicated one, while Izuku would like to have a friend Himiko was, for lack of a better term, too good to be true. Izuku had been thinking about how he would approach things ever since his incident with that gangster a month ago. He'd start off observing people from a distance beginning with his classmates since they were the most convenient.

One of the things he learned about himself was that his perception of a situation affected how he would react. There couldn't be a better example than the incident itself, at first glance it looked like the man was assaulting an innocent girl, it also didn't help that he looked like (and in fact was) a delinquent while the 'victim' was a nondescript girl.

Izuku saw the situation as a classic hero save the the damsel in distress type situation and sprung into action while ignoring what the man was saying/accusing her of. Izuku greatly chided himself when he realized he was given sufficient clues to deduce something was wrong with the situation in the first place but he ignored it in favor of 'stopping the villain.'

As it relates to Himiko, at first it was pretty obvious to him why she wanted to hang out. Katsuki had two followers because of his Quirk being literally flashy and explosive. Izuku could emit, manipulate and combine light and darkness, a possibly flashier, more explosive not to mention rare Quirk. That's what he thought at first but Himiko didn't look particularly drawn to his Quirk other than fascinated or impressed.

She spent the entire day afterwards helping him train and cheering him on, all the time with a smile on her face and a blush on her cheeks (the latter of which he matched every time their eyes met). Izuku started to wonder if she was - dare he say it- actually interested in him. Again it sounded too good to be true but at that point he was giving her the benefit of the doubt.

Then she asked him to 'spar' with her and any preconceptions he had was shattered when she pulled a knife out of nowhere and cut his cheek open. Granted it was shallow enough for it to heal within minutes but what had him truly frightened was the look on her face. The way her eyes dimmed, how wide her smile was and the absolute glee in her voice when she tried to stab him.

She said it was an act and tried to laugh it off but Izuku wasn't convinced for a minute, in fact the way how she laughed it off made him even more suspicious of her. Izuku would never again let his guard down around her which was fortunate because she showed up every day afterwards to hang out. Since she remained adamant about copying whatever it was the previous day from something she saw a villain do he decided to ask her which villain it was.

He never did get an answer.

Days turned into weeks with Izuku silently observing Himiko through their growing friendship and he came to the conclusion that she was most definitely weird and not because she actually wants to befriend him (for reasons not Quirk-related). With that said he couldn't help but suspect she was after something but what it is he couldn't figure out.

The only thing unique about him was his Quirk, he wasn't rich, didn't have any connection to any rich/famous person/hero or villain and his personality is about as interesting as a hero fanboy/nerd. All of it should point out that he had nothing to worry about but the uncertainty was always there. He couldn't help but compare her to Katsuki despite the fact that she acts the complete opposite of him.

But it was her eyes, sometimes he caught her looking from the corner of his eyes when she thought he wasn't and what he saw frightened him. It has been close to a month since they've known each other and though he is less frightened and more used to her quirky attitude, he is not too trusting of her even now.

Especially considering she still carries around a box cutter strapped to her thigh for…reasons. He was honestly too afraid to ask why she did but he'd give her the benefit of the doubt, it's not like he could judge people for being weird, just look at him.

Forgetting what he didn't know about her Izuku had gotten know a lot about her, the most obvious is that she attends a private middle school located several blocks away. She's apparently an only child and while her family is well off, her parents are usually too busy to be there, often leaving her to her own devices.

Which is apparently hanging out with him for most of her free time.

\

Excluding his precarious relationship with Himiko Izuku continued to hone his Quirk. Izuku feels he has at least mastered the basics of his Quirk, able to form light and dark at any time he so chooses. That doesn't mean he's slacking off though, there is always work to be done and a new goal to be set to achieve.

This time Izuku wanted to master a little technique he called 'void release' by far the most dangerous and lethal aspect of his Quirk, the fusion of his light and dark powers. It's the reason why he's still trying so hard in his physical exercises, as to make a single void ball is so taxing that he would feel like he did a marathon afterwards and the misery would creep in the misery would creep in at the edge of his mind.

The ball itself was barely enough to fit into his palm yet the power behind it was devastating. It wasn't that the objects he threw the void ball at were destroyed so much as they cease to exist. The few times he's tried proved that it was without a doubt the single most unstoppable force since All Might. Nothing was safe, metal, sand even the water itself were erased from this world when it comes into contact with it, often times leaving a ball shaped hole that fills up with water after a few seconds.

The true danger and cause for training is its stability, with each void ball Izuku had about five seconds to throw it at something or it would blow up in his face and considering how things ended up he did not want to be caught in that explosion. Some people are immune to their Quirks' power but Izuku isn't dumb enough to believe it applied to him.

The few close calls he'd had with that particular aspect made him only attempt void control once or twice every few weeks as a measure of his progress. Since it relies on both aspects of his Quirk Izuku could say that it was the best way to do so. It also has the added bonus of clearing away some of the tougher garbage on the beach.

Currently Izuku is proud to say at least half the total garbage on the beach has been cleared. He is also proud to note that he is no longer a walking fishbone but that was for another time (namely when he's flexing in front of his bathroom mirror in the morning).

Still he gave his arm and experimental flex and felt the modest muscle build-up and grinned to himself.

\

Meanwhile Himiko grinned at Izuku grinning, it was clear what he was doing and she found it so adorable she had to grab her cheeks to cool them down. It's been a month now since she has met the short, kind, smart, adorkable boy that was Midoriya Izuku. A month consisting of watching, talking, awkward stutters (on Izuku's part), blushing (on both their parts) and so much smiling.

Himiko can't remember the last time she'd ever been so happy being around someone without her compulsions acting up. She'd swear to herself that she would learn everything about Midoriya Izuku because she 'liked' him, because she wanted to be like him, because she wanted to become him but after a month she's starting to wonder if that is a good idea.

Looking at him now, earnestly working on his Quirk, could she really be like him?

Himiko is a great many things, mysterious, slightly ditsy, strange, cute, dangerous and maybe just a little unhinged but he didn't need to know about that last part. Not that he isn't sufficiently paranoid to have his guard up through her sincere attempt to befriend him. Oh she's noticed that too, not that it was hard to see nor was it not well deserved.

She did acknowledge she was dangerous after all.

Yet it said something about someone who's willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and be nice to her even after she cut him and…

'Hmm~' she stared dreamily off in the distance for a bit before shaking her head 'No, bad Himiko' she chided herself.

Now that she thought of it, back then was more of a Pyrrhic victory since she ended up shattering his tentatively good first impression of her with that single impulsive action. In her defense she couldn't help it, the thought of seeing him all bloody and damaged after a hard battle still sent a pleasant chill down her spine.

For once Himiko took her eyes off of him and looked to the sky 'it's not like I was wrong'

She did have a point about combat back then but it was such a disaster she doubted he could ever trust her to that effect again which really sucks because she knows it would benefit him and if he gets a few cuts in the process then it's a bonus.

'But how do I convince him?'

Himiko wasn't as dumb as she let on, Izuku will never fight her. She couldn't be playful with it, she could appeal to his logic but rather than fight her he would just find some other way to accomplish it. One of the things she admired about him was that under his diminishing insecurities was ingenuity and drive to accomplish his goals.

But she wanted to fight him, she needed to know where he stood, sure having a powerful Quirk helps but as she saw in an old movie once, even the most powerful Quirks will lose against someone with better skills.

...

'Ah screw it, this is for his own good anyway.'

\

Izuku inadvertently shivered which was quite a feat since he was directly in sunlight while using his light powers. Then he realized something vital, something so important that he kicked himself for forgetting.

He took his eyes off Himiko.

Spinning around Izuku was just in time to see Himiko liberating the box cutter strapped from her thigh while lifting her skirt to get it. For a moment Izuku thought he saw a flash of her-

'No, evil thoughts begone!' he admonished fiercely.

"T-Toga-san, w-what are you d-doing?"

She frowned and looked a little exasperated "I told you, you don't need to add any honorifics Izuku, just Himiko will do. And I'm getting ready for our spar" this was pronounced when she extended the blade in the box cutter.

Izuku's eyes widened and he took an involuntary step back "u-um, m-maybe we s-s-shouldn't-"

"It's for your own good, how are you supposed to be a hero if you don't know how to fight?"

Izuku winced, he had been meaning to do something about that (preferably after she got bored with him and move on to watch some other guy train in the sun).

'That doesn't mean I have a death wish' he thought eyeing the box cutter warily.

Himiko saw this and it took a moment before she let out a long "oh~" and bonked her head "duh."

To his shock she tossed the offensive weapon away and stretched a little before settling into what Izuku would guess was a fighting stance.

"Okay I'm ready"

Izuku stared at her in confusion, for some reason he glanced behind him as if there was some other guy she was referring to, which in hindsight was a mistake on his part.

"Uh" he turned around just in time to see Himiko's palm inches from his face where he closed his eyes at the last second.

*Smack*

"Ow!"

After clutching his face Izuku found himself falling to his back and shortly after something heavy landed on his chest.

He looked up to see two fingers pointed dead center of his eyes "you lose" the fingers were removed to reveal Himiko's smiling face with the customary red tinge Izuku was convinced was some kind of medical condition.

Or maybe she felt the way he did because he immediately noticed their position before his face burned crimson. Sputtering a mile a minute he tried to extricate himself from under her but she waved a finger in front of his face.

"Sorry Izuku but I'm a villain remember? You're a hero so you'll have to use your Quirk to fight me."

"B-b-b-but-"

She pressed a finger to his lips and adopted a serious expression "Izuku, you can't put off fighting me forever. I mean the next villain you face might kill you, y'know?"

Izuku paled at her words, it was especially unsettling with how blasé she delivered them. He thought back to his first fight and winced a little bit, truthfully that guy wasn't even a villain, just some delinquent and, in hindsight, he wasn't all that threatening. At least not if Izuku had used his Quirk to its fullest capacity

He knew a little better now but it wasn't anything to brag about and should something like that happen again…

Izuku turned his gaze away for a moment, face still red but no longer burning "maybe just this once" he muttered.

She fought down the face splitting grin that gave Izuku nightmares and cheered "great! Now for your first lesson, try to get yourself free"

He didn't have to hear that twice and it took no time at all as once Himiko saw his bright green eyes dim and she rolled off of him just in time to escape a shadow tendril. She ran backwards when he pressed the attack to gain some distance.

Izuku got up looking a little unsure "are you sure this is a good idea Toga-er Himiko-san?"

The pout she was about to give him washed away and she nodded "don't worry Izuku, I'm pretty good" with that she went at him.

Izuku sent shadow tendrils at her but to his shock she deftly avoided them with an unnatural swiftness that has to be her Quirk.

Now that got the gears in his mind turning at an increased rate 'what is her Quirk'

"You're distracted" she said suddenly before him.

"Ah!" he raised a shadow shield only to be slapped across the face, hard.

Izuku stumbled but it provided enough of a distraction for Himiko to throw him to the ground and twist his arm behind his back.

Himiko took a moment to look at their position idly musing about her hasty decision to discard her boxcutter but shook her head "I bet right about now you think I'm using my Quirk right?"

Izuku's curiosity was piqued "a-are you?"

She hummed in thought before close to his ears and whispering "beat me and find out."

Himiko could feel him getting warm and it took a moment to realize that it wasn't just because of her actions. A golden light alerted her and she attempted a retreat to little effect as she was blasted off of him. Himiko felt a stinging sensation over her torso but aside from that she was alright. Not for long though as Izuku started lobbing grenades at her.

The first one she manages to dodge, however it was a flash grenade that temporarily blinded her. With her sight gone she was left open for another one that blew her back near a pile of junk.

'Better' she thought rubbing out her eyes only to hear something land beside her.

Himiko rolled a second before the grenade went off creating a small sand screen in which she used as cover to escape. The moment she was out of sight Izuku switched to dark control and looked around, the beach was empty.

'Where is she?' he looked again, there were foot prints in the sand leading to a tall junk pile where he headed towards warily

"Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly" her voice eerily said.

Izuku paused 'this has trap written all over it' he thought looking around, trying to find a trace of her from his spot.

'What would All Might do?'

Eventually he mustered up the courage to pursue her. After a few minutes he found that Himiko was really good at hiding. There were no footprints, no shuffling sands, it's like she vanished. It's not like the junk pile was big yet he has been trying to find her for a while now, always on guard.

He paused to think about everything he knew from the short confrontation with Himiko. She was fast, able to dodge close attacks unnaturally. Could it be her Quirk was-

'Short range teleportation'

It made sense yet Izuku wasn't about to bank everything on that before hearing it straight from her mouth.

"BOO!"

"Aaah!"

Izuku jumped back clutching his heart while Himiko laughed her head off. It took a moment, a really long moment for Izuku to figure out what just happened and when he did his face turned crimson with indignation and tears actually brimmed at his eyes.

"T-that wasn't funny Himiko!"

Suddenly she froze and eyed him "what did you just say?"

Izuku flinched at that and took an involuntary step back as she walked briskly in his personal space to stare into his eyes.

Now very uncomfortable with her invasion of his space and feeling self conscious he swallowed but replied "I-I said it wasn't funny Tog-"

"HIMIKO!" she interrupted fiercely with a wide smile "you called me Himiko" she was actually bouncing at this point.

Taking a step back from the suddenly cheerful girl Izuku had a thoughtful expression on his face 'huh I guess I did.'

"This is cause for a celebration!"

And before he knew it, she dragged him off, again.

\

'…I never expected my day to end up like this.'

Sitting next to Himiko Toga on the beach of a dilapidated seaside park while watching the sunset and eating Crepes. It was so surreal to Izuku for a moment he had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming and even then he took subtle glances at Himiko cheerfully eating her Crepe to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

"It's no good?"

Izuku blinked "huh?"

"Is it no good?"

He looked to the pastry and shook his head "no I was just, thinking…" he then took a bite while mumbling to save himself from speaking anymore.

Himiko scoffed "I'll say"

They ate in silence for a while and at the end before they walked their separate ways Izuku made a decision "um, I just wanted to say thank you for this Himiko-san!" he flashed her a grateful smile that lit up his features.

For her part Himiko stared at him in stunned silence before her perma-flush grew and she grinned at him "hey, what are friends for?"

Izuku smiled just a little wider at her "see you tomorrow!" with that he ran off.

"See ya, Izuku!"

Unlike him though she took slow steady strides, a smile on her face the entire time for she too had made a decision regarding her precarious relationship with Izuku.

Sighing contently she continued on her way while humming a cheerful tune.

\

His eyes fluttered open and the first thing he noticed was the smell, his nose wrinkled in disgust. He tried to move but was met with resistance prompting him to see what was wrong. Both his arms and legs were bound to the chair.

"What the fuck?" he mumbled throat hoarse.

He tried to force his hands and legs but only managed to rattle the chains cutting into his skin.

"Oh you're finally awake"

He paused, his darted to where the sound was coming from "who's there?"

He was met with silence and sweat began to form on his brow.

"You know who you're dealing with asshole! I'll fucking kill you!"

*THUNK*

He stared down at the butcher's knife that was suddenly brought down on his pinkie and screamed.

"Oh you shouldn't scream so loudly Yamaha, it's only a finger" the figure walked around to face him.

"Y-you…" he said the fear now palpable.

The figure smiled "let's get you nice and bloody?"

And brought down the knife again.

To Be Continued


Author's Notes: This chapter should be called 'a day in the life of Izuku and Himiko' because that's essentially what it is. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter because I'm going on hiatus for a couple of weeks…or months *shrugs* I don't know.

Put down your damn pitchfork and torches village people so I can explain, damn. Now first of all I have finals to do next week and that is going to take up some time, then I have to find a job after that and when I get the free time I'm going to be updating my other stories

Damn I wasn't even supposed to be releasing chapters for this story, it was supposed to be a oneshot and I'd release other oneshots just like this in other fandoms just to see how the community responds but I was on a roll with this one and now I'm three chapters in.

Whelp, see ya'll in the summer