A/N: Another long chapter...hee hee

.o0o.

Black. Black. Black.

Sound.

Jerk. Run.

Black.

Black.

Scream-

Black.

Black.

Then flame-

.o0o.

You snapped out of your trance, out of the darkness that brought you along so far. A loud horn sounded far off in the distance and everything froze.

Except for those flames.

You turned, trying to find who it was that made those flames. Because it couldn't possibly be-

The flames ceased, and you saw your fiancé through the smoke.

You were appalled.

You weren't quite sure what it was about the flames that he didn't like, but you did know that he did not use his fire quirk. At all. Ever. That much was proven when the two of you found Akira and Aiko. You thought it had something to do with his father, but you weren't sure what exactly.

All you knew was that this was new.

And that the cavalry battle was over.

What? You thought. But we just started-wait, why am I here….where did all the ice come from-?

What's going on?!

It seemed your teammates-you didn't know who they were either or how or when they got there-were on the same boat as you, and you were terribly confused on what had happened.

All you knew was that your team had made it into fourth place, and you were moving up. You remember...nothing. Small sounds, but...darkness.

Did you pass out again? You looked at your hands as your group disbanded. No, your quirk didn't look like it was acting up…

You backtracked what happened before you couldn't remember.

Separating with Todoroki...the purple guy approaching you, and asking you something…

Then nothing.

You looked at him. He had the headbands around his neck, and he was staring triumphantly at the scoreboard.

"Team Shinsou : Third Place."

You weren't sure how you felt about it. The fact that he used you to get to where he wanted to be…

But, something in you told you that, maybe...you would have done the same.

And after all, where he wanted to be was where you wanted to be. It was a free pass on your end. Why not take it?

You drowned out the announcer with your own thoughts and didn't refocus until the scoreboard changed.

It was the one on one battles next.

You scanned the board for your name.

Nazumi Hanae. There you were.

Up against-

"Nazumi?"

The same gruff voice at the microphone from earlier called your name, and you realize who your opponent was. The name matched with the face matched with the voice as you looked at him and your stomach dropped.

Your opponent was Bakugou Katsuki.

.o0o.

"You don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do."

"You can pull out of the competition."

"No, I can't."

The Waiting Room B table shook under the pressure you put it under with your hands. You looked at your brother from across the table, whose intense gaze was peering into your soul.

"Yes you can!" he protested. "Why won't you pull out of the competition? You didn't see what he could do-apparently-in the race or in the Cavalry Battle. His name should be reason enough for you to step out!"

In a way, Kenta was right. Katsuki was the name of your father, and you weren't sure if you wanted to face your demons right now, in front of the country-the world-by fighting him. The sound of the name alone froze you with fear alone.

You had no memory of the Cavalry Battle. You knew that for sure, and so did Kenta. You remember hearing some screams, and realized they were from him, but other than that, you didn't know much at all.

But on the other hand...you'd made it this far. You weren't going to back out just because of someone's name now, were you?

Although your other team members (Except Shinsou himself and someone else from the hero course) had pulled out, you refused. You were not going to throw away this free pass.

"Kenta," you said, voice a tad bit short from impatience and nervousness, "I'm not pulling out of the competition because he has the same name as our father. That's pathetic."

"Well, you could tell them that your quirk was acting up and it's a health hazard, because it is," he tried again.

He was right in that aspect too.

But you were determined. "I'm not backing out of the competition."

Kenta looked forlorn and lost. "Why?"

His voice sounded so weak, so hurt. But you had to stand strong.

"Because Father made me promise that I wouldn't disgrace the family name. He allowed me to compete, so when I go down, I mean to do so when I can no longer move or when I am out of bounds. I will do my best until the very end."

"Father meant that you do not make yourself known!" Kenta shouted. "He didn't mean to make it as far as you could, since you know you won't make it to the last round! To the final stage? Then fail?! You realize that Father will be much more upset at that than he would be at you deciding to lay low, don't you?"

"He allowed me to participate at all, that's his mistake!" you snapped back.

"You say that," Kenta seemed much more calm now, "as if you wouldn't participate if he told you you weren't allowed to."

You glared at him, and opened your mouth to say something no doubt scathing, but were stopped by the door creaking open.

"He-Hello?"

A green head of hair popped out from behind the door, and you stood.

"Oh, th-that's okay," he chuckled nervously. "You can sit."

You did so, and he walked inside fully.

"Is there something I can help you with?" you asked neutrally.

"Well," he started, two other people walking in, one with short brown hair and the other tall with glasses...you had to have known him from somewhere. He looked terribly familiar.

Well, other than the cavalry battle he won with your teammate. You completely blanked on his name.

The green-haired boy caught your attention again. "We noticed you're going to go up against Kacchan, so we thought we would help you out."

You tilted your head. "Kacchan?"

"Bakugou," the girl explained. "It's his nickname."

You nodded.

"What...What's your quirk?" He asked you. "It might help come up with a plan to help you..uh…"

"Not get burned to a crisp?" Kenta chimed in, half-sarcastically.

You glared at him, but were surprised when the green-haired boy said:

"Well, in essence, yes."

Well, you were dead.

You sighed. "My quirk allows me to absorb heat and heat energy, then redirect it as such. I can use my own energy to create heat, too. Because of this, my skin is immune to burning, but I can't control my quirk very well...and I overheat. I can fry my own brain if I'm not careful."

The face of the boy seemed apprehensive. "Is that what happened in the obstacle course? At the end?"

You nodded. "Yes."

"I see," he said, slowly trailing into mumbling. "Well, it's not a big emitter type-you know, like explosions-and in order to use it, you would have to get close in to have a real effect on him, and if that were to happen, then it is likely that he would overpower you before you could really get a hit in-Do you have any experience in martial arts?"

"I'm sorry," you said quickly, shaking your head. His rambling overwhelmedyou, and you were extremely confused. "May I ask who you are?"

"Oh! Right, Uhm.. M-My name is Midoriya Izuku. And this is Uraraka Ochako and Iida Tenya."

"Iida?" you said. "As in Ingenium and his legacy?"

"The very same!" he said with great pride. "It is very nice to see you again, after all this time, Nazumi-San!"

"Yes," you said smiling, finally recognizing him. "It is good to see you again."

He nodded and pushed up his glasses and everything flooded back to you. The galas you attended as a child, his family attended as well, and him with them. It was similar to yours and Yaoyorozu-San's relationship and meeting, but you were closer with Yaoyorozu-San.

You turned back to Midoriya-San.

"I am Nazumi Hanae. This is my brother, Kenta. And you," you said, "know Bakugou-San?"

"Yes," he said. "And we want to try to help you beat him."

You nodded, going back to the topic on hand. "No, I uh...don't have much experience in martial arts. But I do have experience dealing with people like him."

He looked skeptical. "Hot headed?"

"And hot quirked."

"Explosive personality?"

"Short temper?"

"Arrogant and overconfident?"

"High standards for themselves and others?"

"It's like walking on eggshells talking to them?"

"All the time," you lamented, sighing. "So what do you have to offer?"

"Hmm…" Midoriya-San put his chin in his hand. "Well, do you have any idea how you would approach this? Seeming as...you may have some experience?"

You thought for a moment. "I know I don't have the skills to face him head on, other than my quirk, but that may put myself at risk. It may be a risk I need to take, but...perhaps avoiding and attempting to put him out of bounds would work?"

"Ehh," he made an unsure sound. "If you play it right. He is very determined to win and be the best. I don't think he'd hesitate inflicting injury if you got him out of bounds, even after the fact."

Yeah, that did not sound enjoyable. You didn't need more than one Katsuki injuring you after the Sports Festival.

You tapped your foot on the ground as you thought. "I just want to do my best. Even if I don't make it, I don't want to put in half effort. I want to try to win, at least, even if I don't make it."

There was a brief pause.

"Then I think that would be your best course of action. Avoid, evade, if you can. I was actually going to suggest that, almost exactly but it seems you beat me to it," he said nervously.

You smiled briefly, huffing unamused.

"I suggest that if you did ever want a shot at making it to the next round, using your quirk would do well. Kacchan's quirk is explosions-he sweats nitroglycerin on his hands, and makes sparks to make explosions with it."

"I assume the explosions can cause a lot of damage when used properly?" you asked.

"Yes. And as dumb and arrogant he can act sometimes, he's a strategic genius."

You couldn't keep your composure. You covered your face and put your head down on the table.

Of course he is.

You didn't move as Midoriya-San kept talking. "He won't be afraid to hold back just because you're not in the hero course, let alone being a girl. He could care less-what course are you a part of?" he asked.

"Business." you said, almost whining. You still didn't move.

"Oh, wow, very cool! Anyway...he's smart. Observant, and learns quickly."

You sighed heavily again and straightened, looking at him and his companions.

"Are you sure you still want to go through this, Nee-Chan?" Kenta asked quietly.

You hesitated before looking at your brother, then down at your lap.

The room was quiet as the group awaited your answer.

"Yes," you said. "I will still compete."

Another beat of silence.

"Then we wish you all the luck we have!" Uraraka-San said optimistically. "You're gonna need it out there-and I'm pretty sure the audience will be cheering for you the whole way too-Did you hear them when you got fifth place?! Wow! I've never heard support like that before!"

You smiled. "Yes...It was very encouraging."

"I am very proud to see you have come so far from our childhood," Iida-San said. "The support you have from the crowd just shows how successful and beloved you are to the population based on what you have done with your life. That is something worth praise if nothing else."

Your heart fluttered. How were you supposed to respond to words like that? You were barely used to Todoroki calling you pretty-and now all that, from someone who is not your betrothed? And from someone who was your childhood friend?

You looked down to hide your blush, and to calm your heartbeat. "Thank you, Iida-San."

You wished your father could have heard that.

"Either way," Midoriya-San said, "I think that you have a shot. I...I won't say you'll win, because he's pretty powerful, but it seems you're very smart and have speed on your side. That will be the most useful to you."

You nodded thoughtfully.

"I do have one question, though," you said.

Midoriya-San nodded.

"You said Bakugou-San uses his hands for his quirk? And...sweat gathers there, for his quirk, correct?"

"Yes."

"If his hands were injured," you said, "say… if they were burned...would that affect the ability to use his quirk?"

Midoriya-San seemed to be picking up what you were putting down, and his face softened with both shock and concern.

You stared him down, wanting only the answer to your question.

"I'm not sure," he confessed. "At the very least, it would slow him down, and slow down his quirk. But you haven't met determination and spite until you've met Kacchan. Please, be careful. For your sake."

You nodded again, saying nothing. You made no promises.

.o0o.

The bell rang in the room, and you knew that was your cue.

You took a sip from your water bottle and stood up.

"Thank you all for your efforts and encouragement," you smiled, bowing to the three of them deeply. "I will not let anyone down."

You turned to your brother. He seemed to get the hint just from the neutral look you gave him. He nodded, bowed to them, and walked out, you right behind him.

"Your efforts are very much appreciated, Midoriya-San, Uraraka-San, Iida-San. Thank you again."

And you walked down the hallway, set on a mission to win, to succeed, to rise.

And although the fear you felt was great-of your father, of your opponent, of public humiliation, your determination was greater. Your will exceeded the will of your father, of your peers, of your religion, of the ideas to be seen not heard, to not speak or provoke anyone unless spoken to or provoked.

All of that was less to what you felt, that storm brewing inside of you. You would at least make yourself proud. Your mother, your siblings.

You would make known to the world you were not helpless. You were not weak. You were not afraid.

You would show the world that you could do anything if you put your mind to it. That they could do anything if they put their mind to it.

And you would do your best to prove it.

As you stepped onto the platform, the torch and fire being lit behind you and the crowd screaming, you settled you would prove to your sister that she did not have to settle for second best. That she did not have to put up with the abuse from her father, from her husband, when she would get one.

You watched your opponent on the opposite side of the grounds.

You settled to show your fiancé that you would demand respect from him. That's not to say he didn't give you respect, which he did, but today you would prove it. You would settle it right where you stood, here and now.

And when the Present Mic began the introductions, you settled to prove to yourself that you were worthy of respect. That you were the legacy of your father, of victory, and you would do your absolute best to succeed.

"Start!"

Neither of you moved.

Defense or offence-which would be better for you?! At least starting-whatever happened in the fight was what happened.

Mother always told you to start and end your day clean, whatever happened in the middle never mattered. Which would be the cleanest option?

Go after him and risk injury? Or risk injury as he came for you?

If you didn't attack, you'd have a better chance at dodging and getting your hand on him to get him out of bounds...

"I don't know who the hell you are," you heard him shout from across the field. "But do you really think you can make it past me?"

Defense. That's it. That's how you would make it.

Now you had to get him to come at you.

"That depends," you shouted back.

You thought you heard him growl.

Maybe that wasn't the best decision.

"Die, scum. You're nothing."

You're nothing.

You're worthless.

You never should have been born.

You're a waste of space!

You can't do anything right, can you?!

You never should have been born!

You will never amount to anything.

You're a pebble in my shoe.

And as Bakugou Katsuki rushed towards you, quirk ablaze, as the memories of your father's insults came crashing down upon you, all the years of fear, abuse, of neglect and insecurity came back to you…

You froze.

.o0o.

Todoroki was walking down to Waiting Room B, where he knew you would be waiting for your battle with Bakugou. He was hoping to give you some kind of hope and assurance, but he wasn't sure how to give it to you. He was still awkward when it came to comforting people, and comforting you. He wasn't sure what he was going to say, if anything at all. Maybe he would offer a strategy of possibly beating him. He wondered if it was a mistake coming here, since you did blatantly tell him that you didn't want to work with him.

He wasn't sure how women worked exactly. Did you mean it only for the round? Or for everything in the Sports Festival so far?

Why was everything so complicated?

He was about to knock on the door when he heard voices from the inside. Voices that didn't belong to you.

He leaned in close to try and decipher what they were saying, but he couldn't make it out. Finally, he heard your voice, albeit muffled.

Then he heard footsteps, and stepped away from the door, leaning against the wall back several inches from it. It opened, revealing your brother, who caught sight of him as he walked past him, intentionally bumping against Todoroki.

He decided to ignore it, and turned to see you at the door.

"Your efforts are very much appreciated, Midoriya-San, Uraraka-San, Iida-San. Thank you again," you said. Then you left the room, apparently not noticing his presence.

The three people that you named also walked out, also not noticing his presence, which surprised him.

"I wonder what she's going to do," Uraraka said gently. "I wonder what she thinks she's going to do."

"Well, we did what we could," Iida said firmly. "We gave her advice and encouragement, and all we can do now is trust her judgement."

"She seems like she's dealt with people like Kacchan before," Midoriya commented. Todoroki stiffened. "I hope she really knows what she's getting into."

"I think she does," Iida said grimly. "My family and hers used to be close. Her father was...harsh, even then. I'd say he's at least comparable to Bakugou."

"Oh, the poor girl," Uraraka said sympathetically. "I would hate to live with someone like Bakugou, let alone as my dad…" she shuddered.

Todoroki scoffed and pushed himself off the wall, heading down the opposite way to the stands.

If only they really knew.

"Oh, uhm… Excuse me!" he heard another voice call from behind, and he turned to see who it was.

It was another student, with long black hair and...cat ears?

"C-can I help you?" he asked, unable to keep the confusion out of his voice.

She took a breath and straightened. "My name is Uchida Cataka. I am a friend of Hanae-San's."

He nodded to her, still unsure. Why did she call her by her first name?

"I just.." she clasped her hands together in front of her as she pursed her lips. She then looked at him. "I saw what happened, and...that she collapsed and everything. And...I saw that you were the one to help her out. I...Did it have something to do with her quirk?"

He wasn't sure how much he was allowed to disclose to someone he didn't know, but she seemed genuine and genuinely concerned. And quirk information is less sensitive than it used to be.

He nodded again.

She nodded as well, looking down solemnly. "I figured. Well," she looked back up at him. "Thank you for helping her. You...two seem kind of close. I see you at lunch together every day. Are you going out with her?"

He scanned the hallways for any prying eyes or ears. "Of sorts."

"Oh, I had no idea," she said, slightly more perky than she was before. "Well, that would make sense. She never told me outright though. I thought she was just interested."

He raised an eyebrow. You? Interested in him?

He considered asking her what she meant, but decided not to.

"The battle is about to start-we should head to the stands," she said, beginning to walk in the same direction.

"How do you think she's going to do?" the girl asked next.

Todoroki shrugged. "I'm not sure. I hope she does well though. Her opponent is formidable."

"I hope she does well too. This is such a momentous occasion in history, though! A business course student making it to the final round of the Sports Festival? I mean, most of the country doesn't even know the Business Course even exists! It's so amazing-I never realized she could get that far."

Todoroki had to agree. There was no way anyone could have anticipated her making it this far. The hallway opened the student's stands, and he nodded.

He was reminded of his conversation with Midoriya that morning. That declaration of war, and how Midoriya only claimed that he would do his best. That was what you were doing, what you were saying by being fifth place, by joining a team separate of his, and now on the platform fighting with arguably the most dangerous student in his class.

"Yeah," he only said, as Present Mic introduced the battle.

"And now, for the seventh round of the day! He was kind of famous in middle school! But this ain't the face of any normal kid. From the Hero Course, Bakugou Katsuki!"

The crowd roared. He spotted you at the edge of the arena.

"Versus! Ooh, another quite popular kid!-She's the one I'm cheering for-from the Business Course, Nazumi Hanae!"

The crowd was deafening at the sound of her name, but she acted like she didn't hear any of it.

And it was just like that, where that confidence on her behalf plummeted into worry and fear for her.

"Start!"

He watched as Bakugou shouted at you, words incoherent from the distance they were at.

And then you shouted back.

What were you thinking?

And as he came barreling towards you-

You stood still.

Todoroki's heart rate spiked, his blood ran cold.

He was going to blast her, hit her, do something-

She needed to move, and she needed to move now or-

"What's she doing?!" Cataka said quickly, cut off by one of Bakugou's blasts. The crowd made a collective sound, mixed with screams, 'oohs,' gasps and groans of defeat.

Cataka gasped hashly. "Oh my gosh-!"

Todoroki watched with apprehension as the smoke cleared.

His heart almost stopped to see Bakugou alone where you once stood, looking at his hands, alone, dumbfounded.

And as the smoke cleared more, he could make out your figure crouched on the ground next to him unscathed.

.o0o.

You had no idea what had gotten into you.

Why did all of those memories come flooding back now?! Were you just psyched out from earlier?

Get a grip, woman!

"What the-"

You heard him voice his confusion as you dodged his hit at the last second.

Your heart was racing, you swore you saw your life flash before your eyes.

Well, other than the memories of your dad. The other parts of your life.

This was your chance. While the crowd was still in shock, while your opponent was still confused, you would strike.

You had not intended for this to go the way it did, and of course, with you standing just next to out of bounds, and him running at you, he was now even closer.

Now if you could just grab him and throw him out...you would win. The element of surprise was on your side.

So you launched up at him and wrapped your arms around his neck.

He swore loudly, but you kept a firm hold as you tried to throw him out. That was your only chance at winning. In all honesty, you were surprised you were able to get at him so easily. You thought he might have a better reaction time.

He grabbed your arms and flipped you over, slamming you down on your back.

Well, never mind about the reaction time.

Your breath was knocked out of you. That was neither what you expected nor anything you had ever experienced. Hits and kicks to the back, yes, but this was new.

And it hurt.

You were caught weak, and powerless, your strength gone from your arms and legs for a moment-

You watched his face contort in anger as he brought his open hand come down upon you, ready to use his quirk on you.

Move, move move!

You rolled at the last second, feeling the fire behind you singe your shirt.

You scrambled to your feet, ignoring the screaming crowd as you stood to face your opponent once again.

He chuckled darkly. His slow and menacing turn may have instilled fear in your heart, but you stood your ground, taking a few steps back, gathering your bearings and making every attempt to ignore the pain in your back.

You could endure it.

"You think you're smart?" he sneered.

You didn't respond.

"You will never beat me."

You slid your food out behind you, bracing for what you planned. He would likely come at you head on, if not to punch you, then to use his quirk. That would be better.

No, he just shot an explosion at you. You shielded your eyes and face, running through the smoke and debris to find him again.

The smokescreen you used to hide yourself from him worked better in hiding himself from you.

There.

You ran at him low, attempting to knock him off balance, and perhaps to the edge of the arena.

You sped up, bracing your neck and shoulders for the hit.

"Oi-Hueghk-!"

You pummeled into him, unfazed by the blast that shook the both of you.

You knocked him onto the ground, and scurried up to try and get him out of bounds.

He reached up and grabbed you by the arms, shoving you away, then blasting his quirk at you.

You let out a scream as you skidded along the concrete, turning yourself up and sweeping your leg out to stop yourself.

"I see…" he said, terribly quiet, and it frightened you. A small breeze kicked up as you caught your breath. "You're trying to get me out of bounds." he looked at you, and his glare was deadly.

You swallowed, your mouth dry and breath ragged.

"You think that's gonna work against me?! Well think again!"

He was moving. Moving terribly fast, towards you. You saw his quirk lighting up the palm of his hand. You stood in preparation for it.

You activated your quirk and breathed out carefully, waiting for the hit, watching his hands come flying towards you.

You met his blow on with full force, clasping his hand with yours, wincing at the reverberation of the hit.

He looked shocked just before he reached to hit with his other hand, and you caught that one too.

"Why you-"

With your hands grappling against each other, you were locked in that position. You were trying to push him off his balance point, he was trying to topple you over.

He was taller than you, which was a disadvantage, but you knew how to support yourself and use your body as a brace.

You didn't let go.

Your quirk flared. You could feel the skin of his palms heating underneath yours, and his eyes widening as he realized what was happening.

But his skin wouldn't burn at the temperature your hands were at. You had to make the temperature higher.

It flared again, and he pulled away with a scream.

"What the hell!" he said loudly, looking in horror at his scalded hands.

You stood there, hands and arms glowing, waiting for him to recover.

He seethed harshly, holding his hands close to him as he bent over. You almost pitied him, and felt guilty for inflicting such pain on him.

But you knew you couldn't dwell on it. So you didn't.

This was the calm. You had to prepare for the storm.

His head snapped to look at you, eyes blazing with a hatred rivaling even your father's.

You braced for the impact.

"What did you do?" he growled.

You repositioned your stance, settling your weight.

"What did you do to me?!" he screamed.

He shot off another, albeit smaller, explosion in your direction and you shielded yourself from it with your arms.

He almost cried out again, but instead curled in on himself a little bit more, you wondered whether it was safe to approach him to try and finish off your plan.

You hesitated.

And at the first step you took, he launched himself up at you.

He had been waiting, and watching. When you walked, you were off your braced balance point, he knew that.

He tackled you to the ground, careful of his burned hands, and it was only because of that you were able to roll off and away from him.

Before you could turn, he was upon you again.

You gasped and reacted purely on instinct as he almost landed a hit to your jaw. You blocked with your elbow, and he resorted to grabbing you by your shoulders. You returned the favor, trying to move him to the edge and throw him out of bounds.

Your heads were pressed against each other, trying to push and pull away as much as you could. It was like some kind of sick dance.

"Just because I can't use my quirk," he gritted, "Doesn't mean I still can't win."

You hardened your expression, your hands heating his clothes.

But he wouldn't budge.

Come on...come on! Budge! Move!

He was too strong. Too strong and too tall. You wouldn't be able to move him.

You had to move. You struggled, trying to pull away, and out of his hold. And he struggled keeping you where you stood.

Your arms trembled as you tried to push him off and away from you, but he was grabbing your clothes. You couldn't get away-

Unless...

You ducked inder his grip, releasing your hands from his shoulders and pushing against his arms now, scrambling to get out of the shirt he was holding onto.

"Oh, Oh! She's out of her shirt! Wow! What competition!"

You tugged out of his hold, and out of your shirt, your black tank top exposed again.

Bakugou-San looked at the shirt angrily and threw it to the side, growling. You did not approach him, walking backwards in an attempt to get to the outside edge of the arena. The white line was there, you saw it, all you had to do was get him acrossed it-

"Get back here, you coward!"

Ignore him, ignore it. He doesn't know you, he can't tell you who you are. He has no idea who you are.

You're here to prove who that is to him. To yourself.

He wasn't following you anymore. He wouldn't fall for it. He knew your strategy.

This was it. If he bit the bullet and blasted you and you fell out of bounds, you were done. You couldn't let that happen. There was no other way for you to win, and if he wouldn't cooperate…

It was just as bad as withdrawing. And that was not an option.

But…

You knew you weren't going to make it. You just knew it. Even before he found out your plan, you knew you would lose to him.

So why did it matter if you lost facing him head on?

So you did.

You took a running start at him, prepared for a real, real fight.

And to your greatest surprise, he was backing away.

You threw one hand at him, then the other, and he was dodging you. You felt like a wild animal, your arms flailing as you moved to try and hit him, then finally to kick him.

He was just too fast.

Then he started throwing punches, and it was much harder to be dodging and hitting at the same time.

You tried to stand up straight and gather your bearings-

A hard blow to the jaw threw you to the ground.

You couldn't help the memories this time. The amount of times you'd been slapped, punched and kicked like this...it hurt too much.

Emotionally.

You tried to crawl back up, but your vision was blurry with tears, your mind ringing with the past abuse of your life.

Despite it, wiping off your lip and scrubbing at your eyes, you stood up and faced him again.

He charged at you again. This time, you prepared for a kick.

Jump to the side. Balance, kick-

He was down.

Then he was up.

And you kicked again. Then you punched. Then you jumped away.

You heard Bakugou-San growl.

You kicked again-

He caught it.

He twisted your leg, and you spun, landing flat on your face and stomach.

You immediately tried to stand, but your left arm was grabbed and twisted, the back of your head pressed firmly into the dirt.

You let your tears fall freely then, wincing in pain and remembering all the pain that had been inflicted upon you before.

Shut up!

Worthless!

Coward!

Useless!

"Don't you dare underestimate me," Bakugo-San growled.

You felt his foot rest on your back, pressing your spine to the ground and you cried out, feeling a vicious pop, squeezing your eyes shut.

This is it.

"Come on, Nee-Chan!"

You opened your eyes.

"Come on, Nee-Chan!" you heard it again, knowing exactly who that was.

"Fight, Nee-Chan! Fight him! Get up!"

Kenta…

You suddenly remembered why you were even here. Why you were fighting. It was for him. It was for your brother, and for your family.

Through the tears and the pain, you slowly brought your right hand up, listening to your brother cheer you on.

You grabbed the wrist that held your head to the ground. And you activated your quirk.

"What-"

He snatched his hand away again, standing back from you.

You scrambled up, not bothering to dust yourself off.

The look on Bakugou's face...was priceless.

But you were almost out. Almost down for the count. You were reaching your limit. You weren't ready for the final blow...you wouldn't make it.

Your hands were heating up, your body going warm, and glowing…

There was no time. No time to cool down, time to regroup.

It was getting warmer, hotter. You couldn't see. You couldn't breathe.

He came up to you again, punching you in the gut. You fell to the ground.

"P-please," you rasped.

He shoved you over with his foot.

You let him.

Come on Hanae! You heard your brother's screams echoing in your subconscious.

"I'm sorry," you said quietly.

He landed a kick to your ribs and you curled in to protect yourself.

The sun...the sun was too bright, too hot…

"He..Help…"

You were kicked to the edge of the arena, just before the out of bounds line.

"What's it like?" Bakugou snarled. "To have your plan turned on its head?" he chuckled darkly.

And you were thrown out of bounds and off the platform.

You felt the grass underneath you burst into flames, you felt your skin blistering, but not breaking.

You couldn't breathe. It was like you were trapped in an oven, slowly dying from the heat. As it was, every time you let yourself go like that, every time you let your quirk go, every time you weren't efficient, skilled, or good enough to control it.

Every run, ever training session off the ice, every time the sun beat down on you too hard...

You couldn't last.

You heard a shout, but didn't know who it was from. You heard footsteps rushing your way, then the heat was suddenly gone.

And you fell into the cool, safe hands of unconsciousness.

.o0o.

A/N: Will update again when I finish the next two chapters...No set date yet :)