The Shadow Kingdom
Chapter 3: Inko's Favor
"Quit following me!" Bakugo snarled at Kirishima, Sero, and Kaminari. "You should all have better things to do with your time than to annoy me!"
"Sorry Bakugo, but we promised your mom that we'd make sure you didn't do anything stupid."
"Interfering old hag…" Bakugo set his teeth and cracked his knuckles. "One of these days I'm gonna…" he paused and held up a hand. "Shut up… someone's coming." He ducked into the brush and looked out at the road. He saw the rider racing across the dirt path.
"Who was that?" Kaminari whispered.
"I dunno, but he was in an awful hurry." Sero whispered back.
"A messenger, maybe? He had a satchel so maybe someone's sending some urgent news." Kirishima rubbed his chin in thought.
"Let's go…" Bakugo didn't wait for the others to register his words. He darted down the path after the rider. The only towns in this direction were Tattooin and The Farmlands. He'd keep the rider in sight until that fork… if it veered right he'd ignore the rider… but if he kept going straight and was heading for the Farmlands, only one person could be sending that letter…
His eyes sharpened when the horse ignored the turn off for Tattooin and kept going.
"Usagi!"
Finally, Bakugo thought with a sneer. I can finally find out where you are, and get rid of this irritating worry.
~Izumi~
"Shoto…" Izumi narrowed her eyes. "Put...me...down."
"No," Shoto replied simply continuing his light trot back to the house. He had her stretched across his lap his arms around her protectively and both hands firmly on the reins.
"You're blowing this way out of proportion. I'm only a month along, a walk isn't going to hurt me."
"I'm told women think they're invincible the first few months of pregnancy, and that they tire rather frequently because of it. With your abilities you will take that a step beyond so I'm not taking any chances." He guided the horse further up the path, ignoring Izumi's pout.
"You're not taking this like I expected you to…" She sighed heavily. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing."
"If I asked you to give up on this mission would you listen?" He asked her not taking his eyes off the lane.
"No, I made a promise that I would-" she started to explain but he cut her off making her temple throb more with irritation.
"My point exactly… I can't get you to go home to your mother, I can't get you to stay here where I know you'll be safe, and I can't make you give up on this crusade… so instead we'll compromise. You take it easy, eat right, and take no unnecessary risks, and I will do my best to protect you and our child."
"Shoto…" The annoyed look lessened and she slid a hand over her belly. "You do realize it may not be yours, right?"
He paused the stallion and looked down at her. There was hurt in his eyes… but something shadowed it. She saw determination… and hope. He removed his hand from one of the reins to cup over her belly and had Izumi's eyes going soft with affection.
"I'm aware… but Bakugo's cut himself out of the picture. I won't leave you to carry this burden alone. So whether he is my blood or not I shall support you both." He finally smiled at her. "Is that acceptable?"
"Well when you put it like that…" she smilied back at him and indulged herself by cuddling into his warmth. "You're really okay with this?"
"A child should be celebrated, not forlorned." Shoto said wisely and started the horse back up the trail. "When we return to the mansion we'll ask Torino to put together a feast, and announce the wonderful news."
"You'll tell them with me?"
"Yes, from now on Izumi, we're in this together."
~Bakugo~
"Too Slow!" Bakugo shouted at his group waiting at the edge of the woods. "If you're gonna tag along then at least have the decency to keep up you extras!"
"Sorry Bakugo, but you really picked up speed after that last two miles." Kirishima wheezed and held his sides. Kaminari and Sero rolled onto the ground huffing and puffing behind him. "What's the hurry anyway?"
"It's nothing… just stay here and don't get in my way." He stomped away heading for the farm house on the hill. He'd wasted time by waiting for the slow pokes. Inko had to have gotten the letter by now. He had to know what it said, had to get rid of this worry that was hanging over his head.
Something hadn't been sitting right in his heart ever since Izumi left. He wanted to cut her out, to not be submitted to that kind of pain and humiliation again and it caused this irritating back and forth in his mind and heart. He was determined not to take her back, determined to let this love he had for her die… but couldn't shake her off. He kept thinking about her, wondering where she was, wondering why it felt as if she still had secrets she'd been hiding from him. Hadn't he gone to Inko so he could learn read her letters, and journals she'd been keeping?
Maybe if he read those letters, find out how she truly felt about him… he could finally let her go.
He let out a calming breath as he jogged the last few paces up the kill to the large farmhouse that served as the Midoriya household… and froze in his tracks when he heard Inko's panicked voice.
"Please Shinso! You've got to go to her and bring her home!" Tears filled Inko's voice and she sobbed into her handkerchief. Izumi's friend Shinso stood in front of her, reading the letter Inko had shoved in his hand.
"I want to help, Inko. I want to keep her safe as much as you… but this is her decision." He held up the letter. "She's determined to stay alive. She's reading all she can about this Nomu thing and-"
"Nomu?" Bakugo's eyes went wide. His people had legends on the great darkness known as Nomu. The fiercest of creatures capable of killing hundreds of people in an instant. What the hell had Izumi gotten herself into?
"I don't care how much she's shoved her nose into those books! I'm not letting my baby anywhere near that thing! Go to her! Bring her home!" Inko sobbed again and had Shinso sighing heavily.
"I'll go, Inko, if that's really what you want. I'm telling you though she won't listen to me. I'll beg and plead and she'll just rationalize until she gets her way."
"If she only had herself to worry about then I'd agree with you… but it's not just her life anymore, Shinso." Inko pulled back, eyes glittering with tears. "Izumi is pregnant… she's carrying a child. Surely if you-"
"What do you mean, pregnant!?" Bakugo came from around the house revealing himself, his eyes wild and fists shaking at his side. Inko gasped and stared at Bakugo. "What the hell is going on, Inko?"
"Katsuki…" She stepped forward, new hope springing as she stepped up next to Shinso to face him. "Izumi is pregnant… she just told me in the letter she sent me." She took the letter from Shinso and handed it to Bakugo. He snatched it away from her and lifted it up. His eyes narrowed in concentration as he tried to decipher what it said. He saw his name… or "Kacchan" mentioned several times… something about dreams, and guilt he couldn't quite get the gist of.
...but in the middle of the letter, in clear beautiful penmanship he recognized as Izumi's was the phrase "I am with child."
"The child is mine?" Bakugo murmured gripping the letter wishing he could read more of it. "She mentions me several times so is the child mine?"
"Izumi seems to believe so." Inko translated and held up a hand at Shinso to keep him from correcting her. "There is another possible father… but it's clear in the letter Izumi believes the child is yours, and she's regretting how she'd left things with you."
"Damn you, Usagi…" He wanted to crush the letter in his hands, but couldn't bring himself to do it. He handed it back to Inko, his face conflicted. "What's this about Nomu and her risking her life?"
"We're not entirely sure on the details ourselves." Shinso put in. "From what I understand Lord Tokoyami of the Shadowlands has recruited her to help take down a great evil that's threatening to break from its seal and destroy their lands. They believe Izumi's magic can help."
"I've already dedicated myself to someone else."
"That's what she meant?" Bakugo whispered his hands clenched at his side tighter. "Why didn't she tell me?"
"Katsuki… we can't let her go through with this. Even if her magic could help she'd be putting herself and the child at great risk. I don't think Prince Shoto and this Toshinori she's travelling with are enough to protect her what she's about to face." Inko clutched the letter to her heart. "If Shinso won't go… then I will… I have to convince Izumi to-"
"No… I'll go." Bakugo said suddenly his body suddenly calm and his eyes staring seriously into hers. "I'll go to Izumi and bring her back, drag her if I have to. If she'll listen to anyone she'll listen to me." He turned his eyes to Shinso. "You know where she is?"
Shinso looked to Inko. Her face was full of relief and appreciation now he could only sigh and nod.
"Good, take me there. Gather whatever supplies you need. We leave now!"
~Later that night~
Izumi stared out the window of her room as the sunset behind the mountains and trees. She wondered if her mother had received her letter yet. It was really only a half a day's ride from here to her mother's farmland if you stuck to the roads… the only reason it had taken her and the others a lot longer was because Izumi had wanted to wander some. She'd never been passed Camino before, and had wanted to study all she could. She learned about the foliage, wildlife, the trail itself, and had begged and pleaded to camp under the stars near a beautiful crystal clean lake. She fished, and trained, and read through the journals. She'd taken notes the entire way detailing every note just to keep her mind occupied.
Izumi turned at the knock on her door. She wore a dress as per Shoto's request, a beautiful deep blue that flowed effortlessly over her. Her hair was pulled up into an intricate twist and she wore a silver locket around her neck.
"Lady Midoriya…" Tsuyu bowed a little. "You look wonderful. Everyone is waiting for you downstairs."
"Thank you, Asui." She smiled gently.
"You may call me Tsuyu, My Lady." She smiled back and motioned her to follow. Izumi walked beside her and down the steps. She saw Toshinori at the bottom of the stairs and his eyes brightened.
"Young Midoriya… you look radiant." He held out his hands to hers cupping them. "My mother's garments suit you well."
"Thank you, Sir Might."
"I'm quite excited to hear this big announcement the prince has in store." Toshinori beamed. "It must be joyous news if he wants it to be celebrated with everyone here."
Izumi blushed gently and her lips slowly curved. She resisted the urge to lay a hand on her stomach and just simply stood straight and did her best to look regal. When they entered the dining room everyone was there, dressed to impress, and looking anxious. Shoto stood at the end and smiled at her. He held out his hand for hers and she slowly pulled from Toshinori to take his.
"You look beautiful." He kissed her hand and had her blushing.
"Thank you. You look wonderful as well. Even in simple garbs you manage to look very princely."
"I suppose you can't erase eighteen years of regality." He mused and pulled her closer and looked to the room. "Can I have everyone's attention?"
The small talk stopped and both staff and guest looked in Shoto's direction.
"I'd like to thank you all for indulging me and having this little party. I think you all should know what we're to be celebrating."
Izumi felt nerves rise up and her voice caught in her throat. She did her best to smile but had a firm grip on Shoto to keep herself from fainting.
"I… I am with child." Izumi said her voice trembling as she braced herself for the reactions. For a moment the room sat dead silent and then exploded with varying degrees of reactions.
"WHAT!?" Toshinori looked ready to pass out.
"Congratulations, Midori-chan!" Ochaco wept and shook Iida who did his best to remain standing upright.
"Yes, indeed, a most momentous occasion." He stuttered while being shaken.
"Well now, things just got more interesting…" Torino chuckled and pat Toshinori on the shoulder.
"I agree this does complicate the situation." Izumi lay a hand on her belly and Shoto kept a hand on the small of her back in support. "It's both a joy and a worry. I will not stray from my duty to help against Nomu… it is more than just my own life I'm risking now. I humbly ask that you continue to support me, and help me find a solution to this so that I may live to see my child, and bring it into the world."
"Of course you have our support." Ochaco walked up and took her hand. "You always have. I'll look for some protective spells to keep the baby safe during the battle."
"If that fails," Iida walked up and knelt down with his sword out. "You can be sure I shall pledge my sword to protect you and this child."
"As will I…" Shoto took her hand kissing it again and then came around to the forefront. He knelt in front of her and pulled a small box from his pocket and held it out to her. Izumi's eyes went wide with disbelief when he opened it and produced a glittering diamond set in gold.
""I told you before that I would take this child as my own, and I'll not leave you to raise it alone. Whether you say yes or not I will continue to support you… but I hope you will accept me and this ring, so that I may properly take care of both of you not just as a friend... But as a husband and father. Marry me, Izumi."
Tears filled her eyes as she looked into Shoto's. His face was set, his body firm and unwavering as he offered up his heart and loyalty to her. When they'd first met Izumi had never imagined she'd be standing here looking at a proposal for marriage. That one night had changed everything between them. The night they'd slept under the crystalized sky…
~Flashback~
Everyone was asleep, but Izumi was restless. The eve was cool and she bundled herself in a wool blanket to keep the worst of the chill off. She wandered away from where the others slept and pushed through the brush to walk to the shores of the lake and up at the glittering night sky filled with diamond stars.
She'd slept outside a few times with Kacchan and his tribe mates… they'd huddled around a campfire, and the boys would all tell spooky stories about the predators of the night. She thought they did it to try and spook her… and succeeded at it as she jumped and squealed at every little movement afterwards. They'd enjoyed teasing her like that… but it backfired when they too got spooked by rustling in the nearby brush… and a little rabbit had jumped out.
She could smile at the memory now. She wished things could go back to being so simple and sweet. She wished she could go back and men her friendship with Kacchan.
"Why did I have to fall in love with you?" She whispered and bat away tears that slipped out. "Why did things have to change so drastically between us? Now you hate me… and I'll never see you again." She sat down and curled into a ball to weep.
"Izumi?"
She gasped and whipped her head in the direction of the voice. Shoto stepped out of the trees, garbed in only a white tunic and loose blue trousers. Izumi thought of her own sleep attire of a simple sleep and no undergarments and instinctively cuddled the blanket tighter around her.
"Shoto… you startled me." She quickly wiped the tears away. "What are you doing awake?"
"I couldn't sleep… then I saw your cot was empty and I came to look for you." He walked over and sat beside her by the lake. "Are you alright?"
"Yes…" she said softly. "I'm fine."
"You don't seem like it." he lifted a hand to brush away the tear that slipped out. "Bakugo again?"
"I…" she tried to hold back the tears but they just kept slipping out. "I'm sorry."
"You've nothing to apologize for." he pulled her in closer and nuzzled her temple. "It's your body, your choice. If you love him, then you shouldn't regret giving a piece of yourself to him. What you should be is angry. Angry that he was given a gift so precious… and he tossed it aside so easily."
"I hurt him, Shoto." She cupped her palms over her face. "He was so hurt and angry… I've never seen him like that before. I've never seen him so hurt that he…" she let out a short sob. "What have I done? What have I destroyed?"
"Izumi…" he tried to comfort but she shook her head.
"The worst of it is… I can't just let it go. I dream about it constantly… the heat, the passion, the hunger and it just makes me ache all over again." She trembled and curled into him feeling so cold and in need of warmth. "I want to feel that warmth again… I want to feel needed and loved again… but I never will, and it's all my fault."
"That's not true…" Shoto pulled from her just enough to lift her teary face up to his. "I love you, I need you… and I'm never going to do to you what Bakugo did. I'll never leave you alone."
"Shoto…" tears slipped down her face. She opened her mouth to protest but his covered hers in a kiss so sweet she melted into it. The blankets slipped down and he lay her out on top of it.
"I can give you warmth, Izumi. I can give you love." He said breathlessly, his hands stroking through her hair and over her face. "You just have to let me."
~End of Flashback~
She did let him… under the stars, by the lake on a bed made of soft grass and a warm wool blanket Izumi gave herself over to Shoto. Izumi could still remember how gentle he'd been… and so patient. He treated her as though she were made of precious metal, admiring, stroking, and cautiously taking her step by step until she wanted to beg.
When she felt him inside her for the first time she stared up into his face, framed by the starry sky. It was an image that was was forever imprinted in her memory, just as the image of Kacchan's need and heat was. The two experiences were so different and yet both had given her such incredible pleasure. Kacchan had made her felt both loved and desired, he had awoken the sleeping woman and made her aware of every part of her body. Shoto meanwhile had made her feel cherished and special, and she knew he'd meant every word of love he'd whispered to her that night.
Her heart was torn between two men… two wonderful yet different men.
… but Shoto was here, and Kacchan was not. He'd tossed her out of his life and despite the fact she still loved him Izumi couldn't go back to him. So even if the child was Kacchan's… perhaps it was best that she gave Shoto what he wanted… and married him.
"I-" She started to speak but the lights suddenly flickered out and there was an uneasy rumbling under her feet. Her and Shoto exchanged worried glances before the sounds of broken glass ruptured around the house.
"What's going on!?" Izumi rushed to the broken window looking out and yelped when Shoto yanked her back.
"Look out!"
Arrows rained through the window stabbing into wood and cushion. The party scattered and took cover under the various pieces of furniture.
"Knock, knock…" the shadowed figure stepped through the broken window holding a crossbow. Behind him were a various group of other hooded figures all with menacing grins on their faces.
"Sorry we're late…" Shigaraki grinned wickedly as his eyes locked on Izumi's. "Did we miss the party?"
~Ask Briry~
Briry: The League of Mercenaries has made their appearance! Bakugo is now aware that Izumi is pregnant and is on his way to her, but will he get there in time? Keep reading to find out!
Next Chapter: The Raid