Classmates

Part One

"Now that you guys have had a night to think about the sports festival we have more to discuss on it. In the days leading up to it, we'll be dedicating our hero training course to your preparation for the festival," Aizawa said. "However, you will be training on your own while using the school's available facilities. Don't expect any of us teachers here to give you any advice. This is the time for your own self reflection of your own strengths and weaknesses."

"Nice! There's something I want to try with my suit," Sero said with grin.

"That won't be necessary," Aizawa said. "Hero suits are not permitted during the sports festival."

"What?" Kaminari asked. "Why not?"

"It would be too much of an advantage for the hero course against the rest of the student body who are participating in the event," Yaoyorozu said.

"So not everyone here is participating?" Terra asked.

"No, the marketing students aren't because there's no reason for them to," Yaoyorozu said.

"Oh." Terra tilted her head. "I see."

Aizawa nodded. "That is right. And keep in mind we have taken measures in order to keep the playing field as level as possible. While a lot of the other students don't take hero courses you shouldn't take them lightly. This will not be a walk in the park. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir!" the class said in unison. Terra didn't reply. She only twisted a strand of hair around her finger.

"Good. For today's class you will plan out a training program that will best suit your needs. Here's a handout. Just fill that in and pass it to me by the end of class." Aizawa stepped around the podium and passed stacks of paper to the students sitting in the front row. "And I'll reserve the appropriate training grounds for you guys."

"Yes, sir!"

"Then get to writing."

Terra sighed as she pulled out her pencil and started writing. All Might had instructed her what to do for this part of her training. She and Midoriya were going to be training together so they both were supposed to write down the same training areas. Part of the time it would be in residential areas while other times it would be in the woods surrounding the campus. It was All Might's way of keeping their strengths and weaknesses balanced between her and Midoriya. So she did. Reluctantly.

After they turned in their paperwork the school day proceeded. Terra buried herself in the lectures so she wouldn't have to think about her up and coming training sessions with Midoriya.

"You're going to be fine," Todoroki said.

Terra hung on his shoulder as they trudged down the hall towards the lunchroom. "No, I'm not. This is going to be the first time I've been around someone I don't know without you. Why don't you come with me?"

"I have my own training to do."

"You're so mean." Terra whimpered. "Please? We can train together."

"We've been training together for years. This is a good chance for you to learn more about a classmate."

"Says the one who barely speaks to our classmates," Terra grumbled. "I have been talking to them."

"You've been talking mostly to Yaoyorozu, Asui, Koda, and Ojiro." Todoroki shot her a sideways glance. "And Koda never speaks with words."

"Well, I like them."

"You'll like Midoriya, too." They paused on a stair platform. "You know you need to do this."

Terra stared into his eyes. It was easy to see. He really wanted her to do it. He wanted her to make more friends, or at least put an effort into doing it. Her shoulders slumped. "Fine. I'll give it a chance for you."

"That's my girl." Todoroki ruffled her hair.

Terra took his hand away from her hair and wrapped their elbows together. "But know I'm blaming you if this doesn't go well."

"If it doesn't go well that means you didn't try."

Terra sighed. "You do know me far too well."

Todoroki smiled.

Terra squealed and hugged his arm. "I love it when you smile!"

A voice cleared behind them. "Excuse me." They turned to find Tokoyami standing there. "Sorry, but you're kind of blocking the stairs."

"Sorry." Terra pulled Todoroki out of the way. As Tokoyami passed by them, Todoroki elbowed her. "What?"
Todoroki jerked his head at Tokoyami.

Terra rolled her head back before calling out to their classmate. "Hey, Tokoyami."

"Yes?" Tokoyami turned around.

"Would you… like to join us for lunch?" Terra shifted on her feet.

Tokoyami looked between the two friends before nodding. "Sure. I would enjoy that."

The three continued on down the stairs and into the noisy lunchroom. Standing in line Todoroki kept giving her encouraging stares to talk to Tokoyami. Terra pursed her lips in an attempt to think of a topic to bring up. The only thing that came to mind was quirks. "So, Tokoyami, your quirk."

"Yes? What about it?"

"It's called a Dark Shadow, right?"
"That is correct."

"I watched you use it… Or is it a male or female? Should I even ask that? Sorry if it's too personal. Forget it. I don't have to know. I was only trying to make conversation. It's not something I'm very good at. You know?" Terra rubbed her head. "Of course you don't. You're good at speaking with people."

"Terra, it's fine for you to ask me questions about my quirk," Tokoyami said. "Yes, Dark Shadow is male. What else do you want to know?"

"Oh, um, well…" Terra tapped her chin. "Is he under your control or does he have his own free will?"

"Both. Dark Shadow has his own mind, but he also follows my orders." Tokoyami closed his eyes and crossed his arms for a moment before looking at her again. "I guess you can think of Dark Shadow as a personal body guard."

"Really? That's so cool." Terra's eyes widened.

"Thank you." Dark Shadow slipped out of Tokoyami's chest and rubbed against Terra.

"So cute!" Terra hugged Dark Shadow. "He kind of looks like you."

Tokoyami smiled.

"Let's see… Going by our basic hero training the other day you appear to be a long range fighter."

"That's correct. My fighting skills are suited best for long range fighting."

"That's something we have in common then." Terra stroked Dark Shadow as she smiled at Tokoyami. "I'm better at long distance fighting than close distance. Though I don't have as long of a range as you do with Dark Shadow." She formed her hand and arm into a vine. "I mean with my vines coming from my body."

"I'm sure you'll be able to extend your distance." The line moved forward. "Have you ever considered shooting out thorns?"
"No, I haven't." Terra's arm went back to normal. She produced a thorn and looked at it. "I'll have to try that."

After getting their lunch they sat down and continued to talk about their quirks and the up and coming sports festival. And before she knew it, she was standing with All Might and Midoriya. She breathed in the smell of woods and flowers, wishing this was over, as Midoriya fidgeted a few feet from her.

"Are… are you sure about this, All Might?" Midoriya asked, flicking a quick glance at Terra.

"What? Of course I'm sure! You two will make a great sparring pair!" All Might laughed.

"Hm?" Terra landed her eyes on him. "Seriously?"

"Of course." Fisting his hand on his hip, All Might held up a finger. "And it'll be a great chance for you two to bond."

"You sure want us to be friends a lot," Midoriya said.

"Of course I do! You two will become the best of friends!" All Might threw his hands in the air before placing them back on his hips. "Now let's get started. Young Midoriya, I want you to attack Terra. Terra, you'll use your vines to block his advances."

"So you want us to get use to each others fighting styles?" Midoriya asked.

"That's right, Young Midoriya." All Might nodded. "Get to know each other first then we'll move on to more harder training. So get started!"

"Fine. Let's get this over with." Terra crossed her arms.

Midoriya gulped and nodded before walking a few steps away from her.

All Might moved back under a tree and crossed his arms.

Terra shot out her hand. A large vine shot out and wrapped around Midoriya's waist before she lifted him into the air.

Midoriya screamed as he rose. "Whoa! Hey! Hold on! This is way too high!"

"What? I can't here you." Terra cupped her hand over her ear.

"Let me down!"
All Might cleared his throat. "Terra."

"Sorry." Terra ducked her head and lowered the boy back to the ground.

Midoriya dropped to his hands and knees. "That was so scary."

"Let's get on with it." Terra formed vines from her fingers.

"Right." Midoriya stood. "I'm ready."

Terra shot out four vines from her right hand. She waited for Midoriya to focus fully on those vines before letting four vines from her left hand curve to his side.

Midoriya pulled back his fist, ready for a punch. As he drew back to throw it, Terra's vines wrapped around him. "What?! Where did those come from?!"

"You have to be on your toes, Young Midoriya," All Might said. "In this area Terra has the advantage. And that's only from using vines from her body. Wait until she starts using the plants around you."

"What?!" Midoriya gasped, eyes darting all over the place.

Terra sighed and put her hands behind her head. "Are you just now noticing that? All Might picked this place so I would have an advantage over you."

"That and if you two do any damage there won't be much to fix," All Might said.

"And vines aren't my only trick!" Terra formed her arms and hands into thorns and rushed forward. Pulling back she thrust a thorn forward.

Midoriya screamed and jerked to his left.

"Not too back. But you're going to have to move faster than that." Terra thrust her thorns multiple times. She nicked his cheek and shoulder.

"You are way too fast!" Midoriya jumped back from her.

"Or you're way too slow!" Terra charged at him.

Suddenly Midoriya held his ground.

Terra frowned, curious to what he was up to. She thrust a thorn at him. His hand shot up, blocking her strike, then he grabbed her arm. Terra was lifted off her feet. Her back collided with the ground. Her mouth fell open as she stared up at leaves and branches. Midoriya had flipped her.

"I may not be the fastest guy at school but neither am I the slowest," Midoriya said.

With a huff Terra pushed herself of the ground. She snapped her vines out, trying to hit him or grab him. Each attempt ended in failure. She growled and rushed forward. Halfway through a thorn thrust she switched back to her hand. Midoriya blocked the punch with his wrist then threw a punch back.

Several punches and kicks were thrown before Terra wrapped a vine around his ankle and threw him into a tree.

"You're not bad," Midoriya coughed out while he picked himself up. "But why don't you show this kind of strength at school? You've clearly got great control over you quirk. You can do a lot bet-"

"That's none of your business!" Terra snapped.

"Terra, Young Midoriya is not your enemy," All Might said in a warning tone.

Terra gritted her teeth and clenched her hands.

"Take a moment to call yourself then continue," All Might said.

Terra closed her eyes. Drawing in a breath she held it for a second then released it slowly. She clung to All Might's words. "Young Midoriya is not your enemy." She opened her eyes. "I'm ready."

Midoriya nodded. The two charged at each other. They exchanged a few blows with their hands and feet before switching to her quirk.

Over the next several hours they continued to spar with each other. Soon the sun started to go down. Crickets stared to sing.

Muscles aching, Terra dropped to her knees. Sweat poured down her body.

"Here." All Might handed her one of the extra water bottles he had brought for her and one to Midoriya.

"Thanks." Midoriya popped the top and guzzled the water down.

Terra sipped at hers while watching the green haired boy.

"You two did rather well today," All Might said.

"You think so?" Midoriya jumped. "I wasn't so sure."

"You did." All Might nodded.

"Only because he didn't use his quirk," Terra said.

"Yeah, well, I'm still learning how to get control over it. I can't keep getting hurt." Midoriya chuckled nervously.

"Whatever." Terra scoffed. This guy… What's his deal? His fighting style is still very similar to Uncle Toshi's. I wonder if he'll keep that up or change it. If he keeps that style then he'll be very predictable. "Your technique stinks."

"Huh?" Midoriya blinked.

"You fight too much like All Might. You need your own style."

"My own style? You think so?"
"I know so." Terra pushed herself to her feet. "You're too predictable this way."

"You might be right."

"Can I go home now?"

"Yes. We'll pick this up tomorrow," All Might said.

…

The days passed. Their training rotated between close range combat in the forest and teamwork in trying to apprehend a villain like they did the first day in All Might's class. All Might played the villain, though he didn't attack them outright. He would only throw slow, very slow, punches at them. Even playing at such a low level, the two teens had a hard time apprehending him. They only managed to capture him once. Currently they were chasing after him around a city block.

Terra stumbled to a stop. Placing her hands on her knees she patted. "Can we… stop for… a moment?"

"Fine… by me." Midoriya dropped onto the ground beside her. "I can't… believe this. There's no way we… can catch him."

Terra nodded. "We'd need a super speed quirk to catch him. I think the first time we did was a fluke."

"I think he's toying with us," Midoriya said. "He knows there's no way we can catch up to him."

Terra sat down. "That might be the point."

"Huh?" Midoriya gave her a sideways glance.

"We can't catch him. He knows that. He's using that to train us. We'll be a lot faster on our feet with all this running."

"I should have known." Midoriya slumped.

Terra took her water bottles off her hips and handed one to him. "Here."

"Thanks." The two sat in quiet for a few minutes before forcing themselves back to their feet. "Let's get back to it."

They walked through the area, unable to find where All Might went. Terra paused and planted her hands on her hips. "This isn't getting us anywhere. Why don't we split up for a while? We can meet back here in thirty minutes."

"Sounds like that might be the best idea." Midoriya nodded and pointed right. "I'll go this way."

"I'll head up on that roof." Terra glanced up to the apartment building towering over them. "I might be able to get a glimpse of All Might up there."

"Good plan. If you spot him point the way with your vines and I'll head that way." Midoriya ran off.

Terra ran into the alley and shot a vine up to the fire escape. She pulled herself up until she landed on the roof. Standing at the edge she looked around. Suddenly a rush of wind hit her. The ground under her feet gave way. Her body plummeted. She moved to call out her vines to grab herself but she stopped when Midoriya called her name. Turning her eyes down she noticed Midoriya jumping towards her. Then his arms were around her. They landed on the ground with a hard thud. Her eyes locked onto his face.

"You okay?" Midoriya scanned her for injuries.

Terra opened her mouth. But, for a moment, nothing came out. She was shocked. This guy had saved her. This guy who she didn't like and made no attempt at hiding or changing it. "Why did you do that? I could have saved myself. Beside you were supposed to be heading in the opposite direction."

"Yeah, I know." Midoriya sat her down on her feet. "I felt that gust of wind and looked back and saw you falling. I just reacted. It's what a hero does after all."

"I don't understand you." Terra turned fully to him. "I've been mean to you."

"No, that's not true." Midoriya shook his head. "You've been a bit hostile, but that's understandable. Though I don't know why, I can tell All Might is important to you. I'm not going to do anything to upset that."

Terra licked her lips then parted them.

"Well done, you two." All Might clapped as he walked up to them. "I think you two are coming closer to working together as a good team. You did very well with my attack there."

"You think so?" Midoriya spoke with hope but quickly ducked his head.

All Might nodded.

"You did that on purpose?" Terra glared at him.

"Uh, well, yes. It wouldn't be much of a training session if the villain didn't attack." All Might cleared his throat. "Anyway, you two deserve a break. Why don't you have some lunch? I have a picnic lunch ready for you two just outside the training area here."

"Just us? You not going to eat, too?" Terra cocked an eyebrow.

"Don't worry about me. Right now I have to run a quick errand." He struck a pose to run off. "Be back in a flash!" Dusts rose up from his feet as he dashed away from them.

"Geez." Terra fanned the air. "I wish he wouldn't do that."

"He certainly knows how to make an exit." Midoriya snuck a glance at her then headed for the exit. "Shall we eat? I am hungry."
"Fine." Terra huffed and followed him.

…

All Might continued to run. He exited the training ground then ran through the forest. From the corner of his eye he spotted Tomoko and skidded to a spot.

"Are you sure about leaving them alone like this?" Tomoko asked.

"I believe so. That's why I said I had an errand to run." All Might walked back to her.

"Spying on them." Tomoko shook her head and crossed her arms. "You can be so childish at times."

"Oh?" All Might leaned in closer to her. "And why are you here?"
Tomoko flushed and stammered. "Well… I'm was, um, coming to… check on my daughter. Yeah! That's it!" She nodded. "It's my duty as her mother to keep a close eye on her."

"Uh huh." All Might chuckled and transformed back to his weaker form. "You're concerned about how she'll react towards Young Midoriya."

"Whatever! Just shut up!" With flushed cheeks Tomoko turned from him.

…

The two teenagers ate in silence amidst the shadows of the trees. Terra took a couple glances at Midoriya, attempting to figure him out. She made it well known she didn't trust him. Yet he still helped her, even if she didn't need it. Why? Was it really because he wanted to be a hero? Or what it something else? Her mind drifted to his relationship with Bakugo. Bakugo walked all over Midoriya, called him names, and Midoriya didn't seem to care or do anything about it. Did that mean Midoriya was a doormat? No, if that were the case then he wouldn't be at this school. So what was it? What did this boy want?

"So, um, about your quirk. Is it hard to switch back and forth between plants from your body and those from the ground?" Midoriya asked with a quick glance at her.

"No, switching is easy." Terra kicked out her feet in front of her and leaned back on her hands. "Using them at the same time is difficult."

"How so?"

Terra closed her eyes to think, trying to figure out how to describe it best. She looked at him. "Well, I guess you can look at my vines like extra limbs." Vines replaced her fingers. "Controlling your own limbs is extremely easy because they are a part of you." She demonstrated by picking up a three rocks sitting beside her then placed it back down between them. "Now if I were to use your hand to pick it up…" She took a hold of Midoriya's hand and tried to pick up the rock again. The rocks slipped from his fingers. "See? Not that easy. Of course a rock is easier to pick up than fight a villain."

"I see. Is that something you're going to try and over come?"

"I haven't put much thought into it." Terra put her hands back behind her.

"You should."

"Hm?" Terra gave him a sideways glance.

"Well, think about it. Say you're in a hostage situation," Midoriya said. "You're facing off against the villain but the villain has a gun on the victim. He'll be able to see your vines from your body coming towards him. But if you're outside or in a building with plants you can use those to sneak upon the villain from behind and keep him from using the gun."

Terra hummed in thought while examining the boy beside her. "You… are very good at this."

"Yeah, well." Midoriya flushed and rubbed the back of his head. "As you've already seen I'm a bit of a fan boy."

"You're so weird. A few minutes of silence passed between them as Terra thought about the boy next to her. Maybe he was being sincere this whole time. Maybe Toshinori was right. Maybe they would be good friends, if they were to become friends. Toshinori, her mom, and Todoroki seemed to think it was a good idea. And the few friends she did make in their class it felt good to her to have them. She really did like them. "You know… I'm still not sure of you."

"Oh." Midoriya ducked his head.

Terra pulled a few pieces of grass up and left them fall through her fingers. "But if you want to… exchange numbers… we can."

"Really?" He looked at her.
Terra nodded.

"I'd like that." Midoriya smiled.

…

"Thanks for walking me home, Uncle Toshi." Terra turned to him. "You coming in?"
"No, I'm going to go on home. It's been a long day." Toshinori hugged her. "See you later. Get some rest, kid."

"You too. Good night."

Toshinori kissed her forehead and walked away.

Terra watched him go before heading inside. A smile pulled across her lips. "Sho-chan."

"About time you got back." Todoroki placed his book down on the couch and stood up. "I have soba ready."

"Great. I'm starving." Terra went to the table and sat down while Todoroki got their meal out. She slumped onto the table. "I'm exhausted."

"Then you'll sleep very well tonight." Todoroki placed their bowls of soba on the table then got them some tea before joining her.

"If I make it to bed. I think I might sleep right here after eating." Terra pushed her hand over the table until she bumped the chopsticks.

"You will sleep in your bed. After you take a shower. You stink."

"You sound like a parent." Terra sat up. "It's not my fault I smell. All Might had us running ragged all day."

"Someone has to take care of you." Todoroki smirked.

Terra rolled her eyes as she broke apart her chopsticks. She slurped up some noodles before telling him about her day. "I gave Midoriya my number."

"Oh?"

"He gave me his. I still don't trust him though." Terra narrowed her eyebrows.

"That's fine. Trust will come in its own time. It won't be as easy as it was with me."

With a sigh Terra leaned back in her chair, thinking about the day they meet. "I know, Sho-chan. I know."