Chapter 11: Nightmares
It was the morning of the party, Rizusa awake at 5am as she stared out at the window. "… Its soon, huh…?" she gripped her sleeve, still feeling herself trembling. She hated those dreams where you wouldn't remember everything; but wake up feeling shaken and scared. This one was the same as always… she couldn't see… couldn't fight back… but the bodies kept falling. Even Shoto's body lay before her. But two members of the family and other groups were distinctly missing. Her parents. It had been so long since she'd seen either one, she barely remembered a thing about either one… they both disappeared a long time ago, never to return home. Her grandfather always looked after her, so she had no real emotional attachment to them… but she didn't know either one or what happened to them. Her grandfather never let her ask, either… She sighed, getting out of bed to go make herself some tea. "I should go visit soon, huh…?" she asked, knowing that she would go whether she wanted to or not. It was so ingrained into her… the last place she saw her parents, a place she revisited year after year on the day she last saw them.
"Rizu-nee…?" Ayumi opened her door and rubbed her eyes. "What're you doing up?"
"Go back to sleep, Ayu…" Rizusa just walked by her friend, knowing she wasn't fully awake. "I just wanted some tea."
"Okay… I'll come help with breakfast… soooon." She yawned out the last bit, rubbing her eyes again before heading back into her room, Rizusa sighing. Ayumi always had this instinct to ask if she was okay… though she did appreciate it, she didn't want her troubling herself. Sure, she was her second hand, but Ayumi had her own things to worry about… everyone in the conglomerate did.
"Ayumi's in the middle of trying to get Tamaki's attention…" she muttered, and in the romantic way too. She didn't want to bother them. Then there was Minako constantly trying to improve herself and study till she dropped, doing everything in her power to be the best doctor she could manage for the conglomerate.
"She has more potential…" she grumbled as she walked down the stairs. And she could be a better doctor for more people by going into training under Pros like Recovery Girl, at least for the informational aspect of things… She made it to the kitchen, putting the kettle on. Then there was Emi…
"Emi needs a more stable work environment." Rizusa sighed, knowing that because of her run in with Gin before, Emi had a fear instilled in her that was hard to shake. If she was working with a support company, it might be safer… easier… less stressful for the girl. She prepared the tea and went to see what she could make for breakfast, catching someone through the window outside. She went to see who it was. She smiled a little, seeing Shoto doing some training on his own, her heart tugging a little.
"No." she told herself. "He needs to be happy…" she turned away a little. "I can't give anyone happiness… I only cause trouble." She told herself, retrieving the tea as the water began to boil. "He wouldn't want someone like me…" she told herself, trying to remain calm. "No… not even that, I'm too old for him." She scolded, putting a hand up to cover her face as she leaned back on the counter. "It would never work…" she shook her head. "Stop wanting what you cannot have, Rizusa… it always ends badly."
Later that morning…
Ayumi and the others had shooed the five boys and Rizusa off to the training grounds, Aizawa going to supervise since there was nothing much for him to do. Shoto could tell that Rizusa wasn't making any contact with him unless he initiated, so he was unsure if he had done something wrong. "Rizusa-san?" she jumped, looking up at him from tying her laces tighter. "… Are you alright?" he asked, not exactly sure why he was asking. The smile that she gave in response was more of courteous than anything else.
"Yes, just a little nervous… Bakugou-kun seems like the sort of boy to go full in…" she wasn't nervous about that… but Shoto didn't pry. "Even Midoriya-kun too…"
"Yes, they are alike that way." Shoto nodded his head. Why wasn't he trying to figure it out? Was he trying to be polite? No… he knew she wanted him to distance himself. Something was different. What was she afraid of?
"Rizusa-san!" Midoriya and Ojiro approached. "Did you want to decide who to fight first? Or should we draw straws?"
"Ah, no need… judging by what I think I know about you all I have to fight Ojiro-kun first… once I turn Dragon Doll on, its not easy to get them to settle down from sparring match to sparring match." She smiled. "But as for after that… whatever order you boys decide is good with me~" She watched as they all drew straws to decide who went after Ojiro, staring at the ground for a moment again. This wasn't right… what was wrong with her?
Rizusa heaved a long sigh after the matches, smiling. "Boys, I must say you're all so energetic. I haven't had a good brawl session like that in a long time." All 5 of her opponents lay on the ground, recovering from their matches with her. "Ojiro-kun, your tail martial arts is great… I bet if you worked on your timing a little more you'd have pinned me and knocked me out."
"Th-thank you, Rizusa-san." Ojiro smiled, glad to get the advice.
"Bakugou-kun, you're really skilled in combat… but…" she smiled at the scowl on his face. "Your expression really needs more variety aside from a constant glare…"
"Che… damn woman…" he grumbled, knowing he'd gotten beaten because of skill but she chose not to harp on that.
"And then Kirishima-kun." The red head looked up. "Are you… distracted because you're thinking about someone?" she asked, her smile making Kirishima's eyes go wide as he tried to deny it. He was distracted by Emiko on the sidelines. That made Rizusa happy. "Focus, my boy."
"Yes, Sis!"
"S-sis…" she hid her face, calming down before continuing. "Midoriya-kun, your shoot style is definitely impressive." She pat his head since he was the closest. "And your analytical style works great in theory, but I think your practical application and real combat experience needs more training."
"Yes!" he grinned, appreciating the praise.
"Shoto… you're already really strong, you know." She smiled at him, Shoto looking up at her. "But your techniques are definitely impressive. A little more time and effort in the training and you'll be a most excellent opponent who can put anyone in their place." He stared, nodding his head silently. She was praising him that much? "Now if you're all satisfied with that match, go clean up. We can go have a nice lunch." She added, Emiko going on her phone to message Ayumi that they were almost done here, Ayumi responding with a swift "We're ready for ya!" text. Emiko put her phone away, walking over to Rizusa and tugging on her sleeve.
"Rizu-nee… you should clean up too. You've got some cuts and scrapes."
"Hah, do I?" she asked, sitting down and checking herself over in a mirror Emiko provided her. "Ahh, look at that… you guys did a number on me." She chuckled, Emiko handing her a first aid kit provided by Minako and dressing her minor injuries as the boys went to clean up. "So Emi… do you like him?" She asked after the boys went into the locker rooms and Aizawa had left to go back to sleep. Emiko's red face confirmed that she did indeed like Kirishima. "He's a good boy, Emi… I approve."
"… Rizu-nee… I'm sorry." Emiko looked a little sad, Rizusa turning to her and tilting her head.
"Why are you sorry?" she smiled.
"… Because… I know you're feeling down right now… and seeing someone else find love is…" a hand chopped Emiko over the head, the white haired girl shocked but looking up to see Rizusa still smiling gently.
"Silly Emi." She chuckled. "I'm okay." That was a damn lie, but Rizusa would hold the façade for the others. "I know we're in a big transition period for the conglomerate, stress gets to you and Ayu first… its fine… go have fun. You're all young yet." She ruffled Emiko's hair. "I can handle myself, okay?"
"… Yes, Rizu-nee…"
Dabi scrolled down his phone screen, reading the information he'd been sent by an informant of the League. Toga tried to look over his shoulder, but she was too short. "Dabi, oi, what are you reading?!" Twice asked, waving his hands around. "You're grinning! No he's not, he's smirking!"
"You must be taking to someone you like a lot, I've never seen you smile!" Toga cooed, making Dabi turn and glare at them both. "Ah…"
"Not even close…" he replied, going back to reading. He then got a report, seeing the message header as "Thousand Blades has-" he opened the link, eyes widening a little. Thousand Blades Gin had torn up the former base of the Four Dragons Conglomerate, searching for them. He was last seen heading towards UA's general direction. "Good." He muttered, putting his phone away. That was just like he wanted… if Gin went after them where he thought he might, Dabi's little venture would be a perfect setup. Setting fear into the leader of the Four Dragons would be much easier if this went well. He got up from his seat, waving his hand.
"Hey where ya going?!"
"For a walk." He stated.
"Maybe he's gonna go meet his lover~?" Toga made kissy face sounds, Twice making some comment after Dabi closed the door and walked away. The scarred man grinning to himself. This was going to work… he knew it.
"Surprise!" Rizusa's eyes were wide when she opened the door, seeing the students of Class 1-A and her other two supporting conglomerate members and the UA's Big Three grinning and setting off confetti poppers. "Congrats on 1 year!" read the sign above the table, Rizusa feeling her heart hurt a little, but she smiled anyway.
'Please stop congratulating me…' she thought. What was the point. This was an obligation… this was the Ryugazaki's legacy… she never had a say, she just did what she thought everyone else wanted her to. The party was lively and she got to tease the yet to be couples a bit, enjoying the atmosphere… but inside it hurt. All these people congratulating her on something she wasn't even sure she ever wanted… it was agonizing. What would they think if they knew she felt that way, though? So instead she just put up with it, trying to just enjoy the food and company for the rest of the party. At least she could say she had a good time.
Dabi was in an alley, standing against a wall on his phone. Five days until she'd be out and about on her own… alone… he grinned to himself, staring at the screen. This girl that had stared down all sorts of villains, blown Thousand Blades out of the water as a student… she was still a fragile 19 year old, he knew it. His plan was simple. Catch her interest. Don't cause any harm to her "family", but make it obvious what he was. A villain that was a bad match for her quirk. Scare her, right? But he stopped, thinking about something from a long time ago. He put his phone away and continued walking down the alley, hiding in the shadows. "I don't walk the light anymore… Little Miss Dragon." He chuckled. "I wonder… if you'll recognize me? You always had an uncanny eye for things like that…" he laughed to himself.
A man carrying three swords and various small knives trudged his way towards where he'd been lead to believe the Four Dragons were now staying. "UA…" he laughed. "That foolish blue dragon thinks she can hide them from me…" he cackled as he walked. It would take a few days, but that was fine. He knew where they were. He'd find a way to catch at least one dragon. "And when I do… I'll cut off its head!"
Rizusa bolted up from sleep the next morning, a cold sweat dripping down her face. What the hell had that dream been about? But before she could analyze it, it slipped out of her hands like smoke. She cursed to herself, shaking the feeling. She had to keep calm, but she felt so afraid. What was this fear? She just told herself to stop it, going downstairs to get some tea. There were 4 more days until she would wind up back at that place… That memory of standing on the top of those stone steps and staring out at the sky was so calm to her… "That's the last time…" she whispered. She felt a tear slide down her cheek, wiping her eyes and telling herself to stop getting like this. "Emotion is showing weakness… I can't be weak…" she muttered. "I…" she stopped herself, looking at her hands. 'I have a duty to the family… the conglomerate… to Grandfather… to my parents…' she felt no weight to her own words though… not like how she used to. That obligation she had upheld for so long began to slip away. "What am I doing with my life anyway…?" she asked herself softly, sitting in silence until the tea kettle whistled. "I'm not a hero… I'm just a figurehead…"
((Its been a while sorry for the delay in updates.
I finally found inspiration that made me want to write again! Its been a rough few months so I hope you all like the update and continue to look forward to more~
As always, reviews are nice and I appreciate your support~
Next time: The big reveal! How does Dabi know Rizusa?!
-Winter Cheshire))
