Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or its characters, that right belongs to the talented Rumiko Takahashi; nor do I own My Hero Academia or its characters, that right belongs to Kohei Horikoshi.
Author's Notes: Just because an anime/manga/game etc character is, or can be, very strong to the point of being a mini walking God/dess doesn't mean an Author has to write them that way. Especially if they are human. As is such with Kagome. This story has more than a touch of realism in it about a lot of things that can be considered Mature Topics or situations that don't require sexual scenes (IE actions due have consequences). Also, I was once told that to get readers/reviewers, I have to write SMUT! That is a bunch of bull, and thus, I will state, that when relationships start forming in this story, if I write anything steamy, it will not be smut! So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.
Izuku looked at everyone, realizing that there were a lot of people trying to return things to normal for them. And hearing Tsuyu speak her piece only made that much clearer. But something deep in him told him that it wasn't going back to normal. So, as they all calmed down and finished talking, as a group, they turned to go back into the dorm. Izuku went still at the sight of not just one, but two people slipping off towards the lightly wooded area near the dorm
He knew from seeing the moving shadows, one following the other at a discrete distance, who they were. He thought back to the King of Dorms contest and smiled. They, like Tsuyu, had opted out of the competition. Then again, Izuku was well aware of their personalities and that they dealt with things differently than most. He knew they dealt almost the same in how they brooded over it. Both with big caring hearts, even if one of them didn't show it except under extreme circumstances like earlier.
"Is...Is that Higurashi-san? And... that Bakugo?" Tsuyu asked softly.
"I believe it is," Iida stated, voice heavy with curiosity. "What are they doing?"
Already having a good idea, Izuku stepped out of the group, pausing for a second to hold a finger to his lips as he wiggled his finger at them. Seeing the glances that they shared, he gave a soft laugh before walking towards where the other two went. This was something he was used to. Kagome always did this when she needed to work things out, come to terms with her emotions or feelings of inadequacy. And Ka-chan... well... he probably had something to pester Kagome about. Things he, himself, wanted answers to but knew better than to annoy her. Her temper was not pretty.
So, silently they made their way there. He was quick to find where Kagome was because of the quick shuffling and muttering under her breath. Crouching down, motioning for them to follow suit, Izuku watched as she finished walking around the small clearing slapping pieces of paper to the trees. It would be safe for them at this distance. Though now a quirk user, she was raised on a shrine that could stop a quirk from manifesting. And having seen her plaster on Ka-chan often after he got his quirk, well, yeah.
"What are those?" Ochaco asked.
"I believe those are Ofuda. Kagome is from a shrine," Iida stated.
"Correct," he replied as he watched Kagome go to the center of the clearing.
Then not just him, but everyone watched as she folded herself in half, hands flat on the ground between her legs. Which she brought up one at a time until she was in a full handstand. Then slowly as she lowered herself into one push-up after another. She was showing off her balance and muscle that was not obvious. This went on for a few moments before Kaa-chan entered the clearing. And the look on his face was not happy.
From there, Kagome lowered her legs over her head until they were flat on the ground, putting her into the yoga bridge position before righting herself. All Izuku could do was watch in anticipation, knowing what was going to happen as Kagome walked past Kaa-chan, reaching into her tank top and pulling out another ofuda slip and smacking it to a tree. Causing a faint tingling, he knew oh so well to crawl over his skin.
"What was that?" Todoroki questioned.
"She was raised to be a shrine maiden. And because she believes in the old teachings, what you felt was real holy power. That is now a sacred place that no one can enter but them. Kagome was waiting for him," He explained as he watched them circle each other.
"You mean, she knew?" Ochaco asked.
"Yes. Shush and watch," he stated firmly. "This is something they have always done. Especially when Kaa-chan was rough with me or anyone else. Kagome never feared him. She'd get beaten horribly at times after he got his quirk, but she fights him as an equal."
She hadn't expected him to come out so soon. Then again, Kirara was still back at the dorm and sleeping in front of her door. Of course, her room would have to be across from his. Meaning he'd be aware of when she left. Narrowing her eyes, Kagome observed Katsuki Bakugo as they began to circle each other. It had been years since they last fought. And he now had actual training. Though, he didn't know that she hadn't sealed the area to keep him from using his quirk. Wondering how long it would take him to realize it too.
"What is up with you? Prancing back here as if you never left? Do you know anything of what happened after you just fucking disappeared, you dumb ass?" Katsuki snapped at her.
Rolling her eyes at him, Kagome just kept pace, watching how he moved. Each foot is being placed, the tension in his body. Whether he curled his hands into a fist or not. Little cues she had learned over the years to watch for in a fight or spar. Because not being aware was dangerous. And he had no clue what she was capable of now either. So, a reasonable, even playing field.
The moment Katsuki swung an arm out at her, Kagome lifted only one to block it, as he brought a knee up for her midsection. Using her leg and free arm, she blocked and shoved him away, watching as his red eyes flashed as he jumped back from her. Continuing her circling, forcing him to do it or allow her in for a free attack, Kagome opened her senses and read what was not usually visible to the naked eye, his aura. Face a blank mask as she saw how it flickered as he tried to assess her.
"I am sorry. It is all I can give you, Bakugo," she said, intentionally using his last name instead of his first or the cute nickname Izuku and she gave him. The same nickname that Izuku still called him by. "And for the record, I did not prance back here. I walked. Thank you very much! And yeah, while I was out being bounced from one place to another over the last seven and half years, I did my best to keep tabs."
The curl of his lips appearing before he snarled loudly in what could be disgust or disbelief. With him, it was often hard to tell. But that wasn't the issue as he dove in and attacked with a flurried mix of kicks and punches — all of which Kagome did her best to block and return with a few of her own. Though, Kagome noted that when they connected they only stung a bit. Meaning he was doing what she was gauging her.
Most people only saw the surface of one Katsuki Bakugo. The brash, loud, verbally abusive, violent person. But in reality, he was an observant person, who was very cautious and calculating and hated it when people didn't be honest and fight to their full potential. And he'd get what he wanted out of someone by provoking them. Which he had a unique talent for. Most weren't aware that he was a very smart person either — always placing in the top ten, if not top five in all his classes because he acted like a delinquent.
"Right, cause I am just gonna believe any lie you chose to spew," Katsuki said, spitting on the ground at her feet.
Not pausing, as she arched an eyebrow, Kagome smiled at him. She was watching how his glower became a full out scowl — realizing what he said to her — knowing her and her inability to lie. Without hesitation, she rushed in, dropping her body low so to come up under his guard. It was a risk, she knew it. He was, if anything, viscous and not afraid to harm his opponent.
The moment she was within range, she lifted her body enough to throw a punch at his stomach, just to have his knee jerk upwards fast and accurately. Kagome felt the pain blossom along her rib cage as she threw herself to the side, rolling before springing back up to look at him. She was noticing the small smirk that curled the corners of his lips.
"You've gotten much better at dodging and landing blows," he stated as she saw his eyes flash for a minute.
"Yeah, well, being bounced from one place to another, I had to keep busy. And studying wasn't always an outlet for me. I took an interest in self-defense," Kagome said, her voice going flat as she stood there, arms hanging limply at her side. "How about we quit dancing and get serious?"
The small shake of his head was all that she needed as she flashed him a downright predatory smile. Causing him to blink in a startled, yet calm manner. Using that second to her advantage, Kagome rushed in; only this time, her goal was not to get under his guard, it was to shatter it. Brutally, violently. With him, she wouldn't have to hold back.
They all stood there, watching and listening, hearing the loud smack of skin against skin. How each of the two in the clearing would throw the other and just for them to get back up and go right at it. Though, currently, it seemed as if they were at a stalemate. Each was locking the other's arms and legs in a hold to keep them from attacking. Their red and blue glares cold, hard, yet a smile of satisfaction on each of their faces. As if they were pleased about the beating, they'd just given each other.
A few questions had been answered. Yet so many more had sprung up in their place. Something had happened that made Kagome leave. Something that was painful that she wouldn't or couldn't (none were sure on which) talk about. How she hated being shuffled from place to place. Learning to deal and cope, cursing at having to leave her friends behind. (And she could swear even better and more vividly than Bakugo) And that the girl was incapable of lying at all. But the current conversation was something that any of them but Izuku had expected.
"So, tell me, Kagome, are you gonna run to Deku's side and help him every time as you did in the past?" Bakugo spat at her.
"No, he is more than capable. Your arrogance blinds you to it. Not everybody has to have a quirk to be strong. It helps, though," Kagome spat back, her soft voice a low growl.
"Oh, that is rich. Are you gonna finally take that plunge? Tell him you love him?" Bakugo growled back, lowering his head until it almost touches Kagomes.
This had everyone going very still. Ochacho had already asked this question. And everyone but Tsuyu had been there and heard the answer. And from what the could see of Kagome's face as the smile vanished and her eyes slid half shut, while her cheeks colored to a distinctive pink color. That question embarrassed her greatly. Causing them all to feel a bit of confusion as Izuku looked away and pressed a fist to his mouth to smother a soft laugh.
"He knows how I feel Katsuki. He confessed to having feelings for me at the beginning of our first-grade year," Kagome said softly.
"Oh? So, you told him you love him? Where you two fucking dating secretly? Is that why you were so damn overprotective of him?" Bakugo hissed as his eyes flashed in anger.
"No! Gods, no!" Kagome screeched, her eyes snapping open as they flashed, and she looked a bit ill. "I told him I loved him like I love my brother Souta before he asked me who I liked... Besides, incest is not something I ever want to practice, because I saw him as my family, of course, I would protect him from you, and your misplaced fucking thought's your demented weevil!"
Several jaws dropped open at the continued use of foul language from Kagome. She was usually a sweet-tempered, polite girl. But she had a fire in her. And it was rather comical to see her lay into Bakugo like she was. On top of calling him a weevil.
"I am not a demented, Weevil!" Bakugo screamed back at her. "So, who do... or did you like?"
At the question, they all watched as Kagome clamped her mouth shut, squeezed her eyes shut, and flared a brilliant shade of red before she started to struggle to pull away from Bakugo. She did not want to answer the question. Though, to all of them, it was now undeniable who she liked. Or still liked. The frustrated growl that came from Bakugo as he tightened his hold on her said he wanted the answer.
"Let me go, you ass," Kagome hissed as she squirmed and pulled harder to get away from him. "I am not answering that. You do not need to know!"
"Oh, no, you won't run away again, Kagome. I am tired of you running away," Bakugo snapped as he lowered his head the rest of the way, so their foreheads were now touching. "I was pissed, hurt that you just fucking up and vanished with no word. You claimed that Izuku and I were your friends. Best damn friends. And then we show up at your shrine for your seventh birthday to be told you had just left the night before with no word. Fuck, Kagome, it hurt. I had even gone through the trouble of actually being nice by getting you a birthday present."
The revelation stunned them as they looked at Izuku, who was keeping his eyes focused on the scene before them. His face was sad, angry, and hurt. He was showing that he was still affected by her abrupt, still unexplained disappearance — apparently, the night before her birthday.
"No... I won't... stop... Please, Katsuki... please, just leave this alone," Kagome answered, her voice dropping almost to a whisper.
This drew them back to the unfolding drama before them. It didn't take a genius to get why Kagome was trying to back out now. And it had been impressive watching as they fought. She easily kept up and read Bakugo's attacks. They had all recognized the various types of Martial Arts Kagome had switched between. Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Judo, Aikido, Muay Thai, even a bit of Krav Maga. Which showed she had been around and learned as she said.
"Kagome, you will tell me," Bakugo said, his voice dropping to a whisper as well. A soft plea that was still demanding as was typical of him.
What happened next had each of them feeling heat flood their faces as well as embarrassment. Kagome had opened her eyes and looked at Bakugo, before tilting her head ever so slightly and kissed him. Causing Bakugo to push her away and to the ground, while rubbing his arm across his mouth as he sputtered incoherently. It would have been funny to see if they had just happened upon the scene. But with all they had heard, learned, made it, so it wasn't funny.
As he wiped his lips with the back of his hand, he glared down at the current bane of his existence. That was his first fucking kiss, and Kagome took it. And all just to get away from him. Now, he wanted to know just who she had liked. Warily he dropped his arm and lowered himself into a defensive crouch as Kagome stood up and dusted herself off. The fact her face was still flame-red indicated she was not unaffected by her actions, which gave him some satisfaction though he was seriously pissed at her underhanded tactic.
"The hell! That is a fucking low blow for you? What, did your time abroad turn you into a slut or something?" he yelled at her.
Her reaction gave him pause as all the fire in her eyes vanished, her body slumped. It was when her eyes dropped, and he saw Kagome sucked her bottom lip between her teeth to chew on it, he knew he'd put his foot into it.
"No, it didn't. You should know that I am not one to do something like that to get the upper hand, Bakugo-san," Kagome replied, her voice was so soft, so quiet, yet it was apparent that she was hurting from his words. "But, if that is how you wanna see that I wasted my first kiss, then so be it. We are done here, and I have nothing to say to you. Please just... stay away from me unless we have to work together as a team in the class."
Her words were like knives piercing him. He stood there for a few seconds, numb and staring at her as she turned and walked to the edge of the trees. Pausing briefly to reach up and pull the Ofuda, he'd watched her place after he entered the clearing. The fact that she just told him to stay away from her was immense. Only once before had she done that, but they'd been children, and he'd just gotten his quirk. It had done some severe damage to Deku and her little brother by accident because he couldn't control it. Though she forgave him after a while, this time, something told him that there'd be little to no chance at forgiveness.
Katsuki watched her as a shimmer of the white holy light appeared and vanished just as quickly. When Kagome started to walk (limp) away from him, he sprinted to her. Reaching out and grabbing her arm to stop her. He was not a quitter. And knew when he had done wrong. What he wasn't expecting was for her to spin on him, and her hand connected to his face with a loud crack and vicious sting — leaving him stunned as he looked down at her face, which was red and splotchy as tears fell from her eyes.
There was very little that bothered him or allowed him to show that bothered him. And girls that cried he couldn't stand. Kagome had always been an emotional girl that he could goad because whatever he dished out to her, she'd take and give back. She, like his mother, was strong and set a precedent for what he expected out of the fairer sex. But this, as she looked at him, hurt, wounded, and crying because of his own words, he knew then as his hand slipped from her arm that he'd screwed himself.
"Just stay away from me, Bakugo-san," she stated again, voice trembling as she fought to keep from crying. "Oh... before I forget, thanks for finding me and keeping me from freaking out before the Training Camp..."
He stood there and just stared at her as she walked away, her figure getting smaller until it was gone in the Dorms. Slowly he lowered himself down into a crouch and grasped his hair in his hands and pulled as he growled in complete frustration. Not only didn't he get any real answers of what happened. Why she freaked out back in the city while the class had gone camping. But now it looked like he'd potentially lost someone he saw as a friend, if not a rival. A person who was always open, warm, albeit feisty when provoked. A person he knew to be accepting and caring. He and his ego plus mouth had finally done what his mother once told him it would, say the wrong thing and the wrong time and cost him.
Eventually, he rose and ran his hand through his hair to straighten it. Only to pause as he felt something stuck to the back of his head. Grabbing what felt like an odd piece of cloth-like paper, he gave a quick sharp tug only to cry out in pain. He didn't need to see it, to know what it was. At some point during their little impromptu fight and one of the many times Kagome had smacked him on the back of the head, she had stuck either a Sutra or Ofuda to him.
Fearing the worst, he dropped his hand and snapped his fingers. When no explosion happened, he knew Kagome had done it again — sealed his damn quirk — making him bite back a scream of pure rage. While silently hoping that it would just vanish by the time he woke up for class the next day.
TBC!