Chapter 21

Part two of the provisional exam tested every ability the students had learned. "How are we supposed to rescue and fight?" Iida asked as the group dispersed to help. Kaiya found herself yearning to rescue people until she felt a rumble through the ground. A herd of Gang Orca's side kicks were approaching rapidly; alerting some of the students to an impending attack.

"Umm...guys?" Misa pointed out before Kaiya took off with Shindo and Midoriya in tow.

"I'll stop them by breaking up the ground!" Shindo told them as his vibrations rocked through the earth. Kaiya joined in and aimed the fragments at the stray attackers before Gang Orca sent a resounding vibration at Shindo.

"He's paralyzed!" Midoriya announced as Kaiya threw Gang Orca backwards with her wind before Todoroki sent an ice attack his way.

"Midoriya, go rescue people. My Quirk is better suited for defense right now and I can work with Shindo once his paralysis wears off." Kaiya told the boy who nodded in agreement. Dodging cement shots from the remaining side kicks and protecting Shindo from the attacks, Kaiya felt the air thicken with heat. "What is going on over there?"

"You're in my way!" A loud voice rumbled. A Shiketsu High student flew above Todoroki with a strong wind circulating around him. Todoroki bit back at the student with clear aggression in his voice. Fire and wind were thrown at Gang Orca, but was deflected towards Kaiya and Shindo.

"No! They'll get incinerated!" Todoroki called out before Kaiya formed a wave barrier against the powerful attacks.

"What the hell are you two doing?!" Kaiya seethed, checking over Shindo for injuries. "If I hadn't been here, Shindo would be dead!" She continued, breaking down the barrier. Her eyes flashed red as Todoroki winced at the girl before Gang Orca grasped him and immobilized him and the Shiketsu High student quickly while Kaiya fought off more of Gang Orca's men. "God they just keep coming."

"Hey Kaiya!" Misa called out, swiping flames to knock out the sidekicks.

"Great timing Misa!" Kaiya smiled, blowing the sidekicks away. Shindo moved slightly and vibrated the earth more to break up the fragments. "Welcome back Shindo."

"Thanks for keeping me safe, Kaiya." He replied. "I wouldn't have needed it if it wasn't for those damn first years arguing with each other!" He snapped as the earth shattered around him.

"Trust me, I'm not happy about it either." Kaiya mumbled, noting Todoroki and his rival immobilized within a fire tornado. "Well that looks familiar." She smirked, seeing Gang Orca soak himself with water. The fire tornado dwindled slightly and Kaiya saw an opportunity to strike. However, before she did, a flash of green buzzed past her as Midoriya landed a solid kick on Gang Orca's arm before the final buzzer sounded.

"All participants have been rescued. This signals the end of the exam. Please treat your injuries, change out of your costumes, and meet at the front for the results." The announcer called out. Todoroki moved finally and stretched his body out when Kaiya approached him.

"Go on. I deserve it." He mumbled, seeing the annoyance on his girlfriend's face.

"No. I don't need to say anything." She told him curtly. "But are you okay?" Todoroki nodded at her question and sighed heavily. "Good. Let's go."

The results from the exam appeared and Kaiya cheered as she read her name. "Thank god I passed." Mina and Momo came over to her and hugged each other as they had passed as well. "Did everyone pass?" Kaiya asked, reading over the board once more. Then her heart stopped. "Bakugou...and Todoroki didn't pass." Mina and Momo gasped as they followed Kaiya's eyes to the board and glanced at the two boys.

"How did the top students...fail?" Kirishima asked quietly, glancing at a furious Bakugou. Kaiya knew why Todoroki had failed; his fighting with the Shiketsu High student probably sealed both of their fates. She glanced at her boyfriend as the results were handed to each student, trying to read his stoic face.

"You that failed will have an opportunity to take another exam again after completing a three month training course. We need strong heroes now that All Might has retired. Work hard." The announcer told the group of students. Kaiya sighed in relief at the news and brushed up against Todoroki in comfort.

"You'll pass then."

"I'll work hard." He nodded, glancing over his result sheet .

That night at the dorms, Kaiya read over her result sheet to see her weaknesses. Momo had beaten her result by a few points; but the two girls held the most points for the class. A small knock sounded on her door as she welcomed the visitor. Todoroki walked in and chose his spot on the corner of Kaiya's bed and placed a kiss on her head.

"Hi there." She smiled, feeling the earlier tension absent between the two.

"What were your scores like?" He asked her, reading over the sheet.

"I scored really high in defense and tactical training. The points I missed were for lack of rescue." She explained. "But there's a note that pointed out my protection for another student; so I guess it evens out." Kaiya shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sorry about your exam though."

"Yeah me too. But it was my fault anyway. I let my anger get the better of me." Todoroki sighed, rubbing his face roughly.

"With your extra training...it may be hard for us to spend time together." Kaiya realized, pulling at her hair. "Your training is way more important anyway."

"I wouldn't say 'way' more important. I'll make time for you." He smirked, pulling Kaiya's hand from her hair. Kaiya smiled warmly and kissed Todoroki's lips.

"We still haven't told anyone about us." She whispered as Todoroki lay down on Kaiya's bed, their hands entwined as Todoroki gazed at Kaiya.

"I like it being just us right now. I'm selfish when it comes to you." He told her, rubbing his thumb over her hand. Kaiya blushed heartedly and broke their gaze. "You're cute when you get embarrassed." He chuckled, pulling Kaiya's hand for her to lay on him.

"You make me...blush all the time. I don't expect half the things you say." She explained, nuzzing against his chest. "Stupid curfew...I wish you could stay."

"We still have a little time. I saw Bakugou and Midoriya leave the dorm a little while ago. They'd be stupid to stay out too late after Aizawa's lecture the other day."

"They left together? That's weird." Kaiya asked, hearing Todoroki mumble a response. "So we have plenty of time….for making out." She smirked, crawling onto Todoroki's lap. The icy hot teen rolled his eyes playfully as he looked up at the bright eyed girl in his lap.

"We always have time for that."

The next day, Class 1-A heard about Bakugou and Midoriya's fight at Ground Beta the night before. "They really are idiots." Jirou commented as both boys cleaned the dorm rooms.

"I bet Aizawa was extra scary when he found out." Mina squealed. Kaiya listened to the comments but kept glancing at Bakugou who looked distracted as he cleaned. The usual angry demeanor was absent from his face and Kaiya was curious as to why. She got to her feet and approached the boy, clearing her throat.

"What do you want, Green Eyes?" He asked her roughly.

"When you're done cleaning, can we talk? I have a few questions." She expected a slur of curses and anger to leave Bakugou's mouth at her request, but the explosion boy surprised her.

"Give me twenty minutes." She nodded and left the boy to his work. She found Todoroki in his room studying in the meantime.

"Hey, studying already?" She asked him, running her hands through the dual colored hair of her boyfriend.

"I figured if I can stay ahead in my regular classes, I can focus on the provisional courses more." He sighed, leaning into Kaiya's touch. "What are you up to?" He asked, turning in his chair to wrap his arms around Kaiya's waist.

"Waiting for Bakugou to finish cleaning so we can talk." She answered him, feeling him tense around her. "Before you get all...defensive there is a reason." His eyes bore into hers with interest as she continued. "Bakugou and I have had a weird relationship since school started. But I feel like I am someone who understands him and why he is the way he is."

"Why is that?"

"Because he's let me yell at him without murdering me. I think there's a semblance of respect between us. He's hurting and he won't talk about it."

"You think that's why he and Midoriya fought last night?" Todoroki asked, seeing Kaiya nod. "Well, you're always one to look out for people. He's a strong personality; so if you can handle him, more power to you." He smirked, pulling Kaiya in for a hug. "You're mine though." He growled into her stomach. A shiver ran up Kaiya's spine at the low growl from Todoroki.

"Yes. Always."

Kaiya found Bakugou outside a few moments later in the courtyard. She wasn't really sure how she was going to talk to him; but he needed someone. "Hey Bakugou." She smiled, joining him under the tree he sat under.

"Hey. What's your question?" He gruffed out. Kaiya rolled her eyes at his straightforward attitude and sighed.

"Heard about your little spat last night with Deku. What's that about?"

"Why do you care?"

"I'm trying to help you." Kaiya told him with a stubborn tone.

"I don't need help." He snapped back, getting to leave before Kaiya blew him back down with her Quirk. "What the hell?"

"Shut up and listen." She told him sternly, a splash of red flashed through her eyes before the green returned. Bakugou sucked his teeth but did as he was told. "I told you my story and you listened. I've only been able to piece your story bit by bit. Everyone sees the brash, rude explosion boy with an inferiority complex."

"Is this supposed to make me feel better?" Bakugou asked her, narrowing his eyes. Her death glare silenced him as Kaiya continued.

"You're hurting. Everything you knew has changed. You're no longer the best in class. Your fated rival is stronger now. You've gotten kidnapped and watched your mentor retire; for which I think you blame yourself. It's a lot for anyone to handle.`` Bakugou's lip quivered as Kaiya continued. "Don't suffer alone. Trust me, it doesn't help." She whispered, placing her hand on Bakugou's knee. "I was so scared to let anyone in in fear of them knowing my weaknesses. They found them anyway but these people helped me grow stronger in turn."

"We aren't the same." Bakugou managed to croak out as Kaiya tightened her grip on his knee.

"We are. We all are. We all have something to prove, to fight for, to grow from. We all want to be heroes. You are not alone Bakugou." A thick silence spread between the pair. Kaiya's heart raced against her ribs while Bakugou glared at the grass beneath them. She made a move to rise to her feet before Bakugou spoke again.

"How did you work through your demons?" Kaiya's heart ached at the softness of his question and squeezed his knee.

"I realized I made it through what I thought were the worst days of my life each time. That helped me get stronger. If I could do it once...I could do it again." She smiled, patting his knee one last time before rising to his feet.

"Thanks...Kaiya." Bakugou whispered as Kaiya left him with his thoughts. Her name on his tongue tasted strange; but a warm sensation formed in Bakugou as he watched the fiery girl walk away.