She's the Man
Author's Note:
Chapter 13: Cavalry Craze
Todoroki wandered over to Izumi with his hands in his pockets. Tetsutetsu was just walking away to rejoin his class and he scowled after him.
"What was that about?" Todoroki asked Izumi, his voice a little irked and he had to clear it some.
"Just making a new friend." Izumi smiled and waved after Tetsutetsu. "He's from class B."
"I can see that, what did he want?" He grunted a bit, feeling foolish about his obvious jealousy, but could do nothing to suppress it.
"Todoroki-kun…" She tapped her fingers on her biceps and raise da brow. "What business is it of yours what we talked about?"
"I thought we were friends…" he used her own words, and got his slapped back in his face.
"Who was it who said we weren't here to play as friends?" She narrowed her eyes. "You're taking this hot and cold thing way over the top. Come talk to me when you decide to get your priorities straight."
She started to walk away and he grabbed her arm.
"Hold on-"
"Let go of me!" she smacked his hand away. "What's your problem today? You're normally so calm and stoic that it's annoying, but today you're temperamental and judgmental and it's down right annoying!"
"Pot calling the kettle," he retorted. "Where's your attitude coming from?"
"I've always had an attitude, just ask my brother and Bakugo."
"You weren't this way in class."
"Class?" Suddenly her stomach began to hurt. "I think you've got me mixed up with my brother."
"Have I?" He narrowed his eyes, and had her breath hitching. "Admit it, it's been you all along."
"I…" she didn't know what to say, or what to do, she started to panic. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Tell me the truth…" he sepped closer, pinning her up on the wall of the stadium, those double pigments staring hard into hers and had her flushing. She could feel his breath on her lips as he spoke in hushed tones so no one would hear. "Your brother has scars on his right hand. When I fought against Midoriya in battle class his glove ripped off. There were no scars then." He lifted her hand showing the smooth undamaged skin.
"Don't…" her breath hitched again and shook. Her eyes went pleading as she saw there was no way to talk out of this one. "Please don't tell, you don't understand!"
"I do… I'm pretty sure I know exactly why you pretended to be him. I just wanted you to admit it." He kissed her fingertips. "Now then, don't you feel better?"
"You… you bastard… I…. DAMN IT YOU'RE TOO CLOSE!" She pushed on him and he let her. "Why did you want me to admit it so bad if you already knew why I did it?"
"I just wanted confirmation. It would be awkward if I fell for the wrong Midoriya." He waved a hand and walked off leaving her gaping after him.
~Event #2~
"Ten million points…" Poor Izuku… Izumi sighed. She felt really bad for her brother after the terms of the second round cavalry event were announced. As the leader heading into this event, Izuku's head was worth more than the rest of the points combined. Which meant whoever wore it would be the leader going into the finals.
Unfortunately this meant that a good portion of the teams that were formed would go straight after her brother. It left him with little allies to choose from because everyone wanted the chance to snag the million away and leave Izuku with little to no chance of escape.
For a brief moment she toyed with the idea of having the twins join forces again… but quickly rejected it. They'd promised each other they'd compete against each other after the first event. It was no longer their top concern whether Izuku would pass or not, but instead making sure they were on top. Truth was, Izumi knew, that of all the students here, Izuku was her direct competition.
"Oi Izumi!" Tetsutetsu waved as he worked his way through the group to her. "This is perfect. You and I will form a team!" He pointed a finger at himself grinning at her.
"Sounds good, you did promise to take care of me after all." She smiled warmly at him, and had his skin flushing and eyes sparkling with delight. "This works out really well for me actually, I'm kind of an outcast since I don't have any classmates."
"Oh that's right," he bumped a fist to his palm. "You're an independent studies student. Lucky for us, that means you don't have any loyalties to class 1A."
"Except my brother." She eyed Izuku and had his face falling. "Don't looks so glum, that's not going to stop me from wanting to win."
"Really!?" His face lit up again. "So you're in agreement we should go after the ten million?"
"We'll see how things play out. First things first, we need a team." She started looking around. "Got any ideas?"
"Say no more! I already have the two perfect candidates to complete our team!" He took her hand and pulled her through the crowd. Todoroki had glanced in her direction at the wrong moment, seeing her walking away hand in hand with the guy from Class B. His temper went icy and Kaminari who was next to him shuddered.
"Whoa, warm up dude, the competition hasn't started yet."
"Right… don't mind me." Todoroki turned his back to her. Forget it, he told himself, shake it off. He didn't have time to worry about his mixed feelings where Izumi was concerned. He had told her his thoughts, and now it was her decision whether to reciprocate them or not. The thing he needed to concentrate on was the ten million points.
"Shiozaki, Awase, I'd like you to meet Izumi!" Tetsutetsu put his hands on Izumi's shoulders presenting her out to two of his classmates. Izumi took stock of them… Ibara Shiozaki, she'd taken fifth right behind Izumi, and from what she'd seen of her quirk it was swift and precise showing she had excellent control. As for Awase, the guy had come in twelfth but she hadn't seen him use his quirk at all and wondered what it was.
"Are you serious?" Awase turned towards them grimacing. "What happened to using Juzo as a front horse?"
"Honenuki got in through recommendations, and he came in sixth during the race." Tetsutetsu jerked a thumb over his shoulder showing Juzo surrounded by their classmates. "He's got a team of his own going." He slipped to the side of Izumi putting his hands on his hips. "I owe this girl a debt, and on top of that she's got connections with class 1A."
"You make me sound like a double agent." Izumi laughed as Tetsutetsu started to apologize profusely. "Relax, relax, I was just kidding."
"I'm alright with this union." Shiozaki smiled. "Your speech was quite motivating and made the first event that much more challenging. Also I heard what you did for Tetsutetsu-kun. Your soul shines bright, and your spirit as a hero is pure. The gods will reward your good deeds, I'm sure."
"Uh… right…" Izumi's brow sweat and she rubbed the back of her neck laughing. "Thanks I guess."
"Shiozaki's got a point. Your quirk is pretty powerful too, so I guess I don't really have a problem teaming up with you." Awase gave a thumbs up. "I'll trust their instincts and welcome you aboard."
"Thanks… but speaking of quirks," she points at Awase. "I know about your classmates but what's yours."
"Hmm? Oh I can fuse objects together… but I have to be touching them both in order for it to work." He demonstrated by picking a piece of grass and fusing it to his forehead. The sight of it had Izumi's brain working overtime.
"Binding… Can you unbind things as well?"
"Yes, but same rules apply… geh!" He blinked as Izumi's aura suddenly changed into something dark and ominous. Her smile was wide and almost creepy.
"I just got a great idea… Tetsu-kun, Awase-kun. Shiozaki…" she motioned them into a huddle and started whispering a plan.
Izuku was shaking hands with Tokoyami, completing his own team. He was thankful that both Uraraka and Mavis had approached him first, leaving him to decide who would be the perfect candidate to complete the team. Dark Shadow was the strong attack and defense their group was lacking, and Tokoyami-kun had joined in because of Izuku's instinct and tact.
"Thanks again… let's form up… oh-" He glanced up seeing his sister rising up on Tetsutetsu's back. He's expected her to be a horse or wing with her strength and agility, but it seemed her team had other plans.
"Deku-kun!" Ochaco touched his back giggling making him float some. "Come on, you're up."
'Wha-a-a-a!" Izuku flailed a bit in the air not used to the no gravity and flushed. "Th-thanks."
"No problem." She smiled sweetly at him.
Across the field Bakugo's hands popped with explosions making his teammates uneasy.
"Um, you okay there Bakugo?"
"I'm fine!" Bakugo snarled in response, but his inner monologue was going crazy. Damn that Deku, quit letting that stupid flirt touch you. You're mine damn it! Make that woman understand you're not interested! "We're going after the ten million, we're gonna get an indisputable first place, you got that!"
His team made sounds of agreement and got into position. The teams spread out around the cavalry field and got ready for the signal. The headbands were handed out to each team, the accumulated numbers from their first round positions etched on the white strip. Izumi slid her fingers over band across her forehead, smiling. They had a pretty high number seeing as her and her collective team had all placed in the top 15 spots. Aside from her brother with the ten million they would be starting off in the second position for point value.
"We may get targeted because of our large point value, so Shiozaki be sure to keep a defense on our back."
"Yes, Midoriiya-san!" Shiozaki's hair wriggled in response.
"Tetsu-kun." She leaned into him so her mouth was right next to his ear. He tensed up and flushed but listened as she spoke. "You don't have to stay metal the whole time. Keep your attention focused, and be prepared to defend at a moment's notice."
"You got it!"
"If I get too heavy, let Shiozaki know so she can support me, and Awase you remember our plan right?" She looked down at the third and final member who gave her a thumbs up.
"Both of them… this ought to be fun."
"Good…" Izumi smirked and cracked her knuckles. She eyed Izuku across the field as he strapped his number around his forehead. "Sorry Bro, but I'm not gonna settle for fourth place this time."
"Alright folks are we ready!?" Present mic shouted over the speakers. "It's time for the Cavalry battle to begin.. In Three… Two… One… START!"
"Go! Tetsu-kun!"
"ALLLRRRIIIIGHT!" Tetsu charged full ahead rushing with his group, Izumi poised on his back arm out and ready. She took immediate notice that they weren't the only team going after her brother. Hagakure, and Juzo who'd teamed up with some other from his class all cluttered together to rush at Izuku at once.
"Hahaha! Midoriya! I'll be taking that now!" Hagakure boasted from atop of Jiro, Sato, and Kudo.
"They're coming at us all at once, what's the verdict Midoriya!?" Tokoyami poised to fight.
"Of course, we're going to run away!" He motioned his team to the right where he saw an opening, but the ground began to warp and change. Izuku glanced in the direction of Juzo as the front horse. "It's that guy's quirk."
"I knew Juzo would make a good-" Awase stopped himself as Izumi gave him a dirty look. "Uh, I mean…"
"Forget it… hmmm wait… Tetsu hold and fall back!" She spotted the equipment Izuku's team was wearing and remembered them from her visit with Mavis. "They're gonna take to the air."
"How do-" Tetsu slowed and backtracked and let out a gasp as Izuku's team went to the air. "The support course?"
"Yeah, I've known Mavis for years. Tricky bastard." Izumi smirked… she glanced to the side as Hagakure came up to the right of them, their attention distracted by izuku flying overhead. "Well since you're here…" She snagged Hagakure's headband and motioned Tetsu to pull away from them.
"Eh?" Neito Monoma circled Juzo's team band around his finger watching Izumi and her classmates. "She stole my idea." He looked down at his team. "What was Tetsutetsu thinking putting that girl on his team?" He didn't like her, all that boasting she did during the opening ceremony, claiming she'd show no mercy as if she was someone to be feared and reckoned with. How foolish.
He'd just about been ready to order his team to go after her, when Bakugo's team shoved by, the loud and obnoxious leader shouting profanities. Monoma's brows knit together in agitation and he let a sinister smile spread on his lips.
"I think those class 1A bozos are challenging us… let's teach those fools a lesson."
"They're landing!" Izumi shouted the added headband now dangling around her neck. "After him, Tetsu-kun!"
"Alright! They're not getting away this time." he rushed forward.
"Midoriya!" Tokoyami alerted his rider to the impending danger. "They're after us."
"Let's move… wha-" He glanced down as Uraraka made a noise of distress. "What's wrong?"
"I'm stuck. The hoversole won't move!" Izuku leaned over and gasped at the purple sticky ball holding them down.
"What, but that's Mineta's… where? Where is he?" He looked around and spotted the pint sized pervert peeking from the opening of Shoji's arm tank. He wasn't alone either, when a tongue flicked across the air narrowly snatching his headband, he knew Tsuyu was in there with him.. Izuku dodged and maneuvered as the Mineta team attacked and pursued. He could hear his sister behind him and knew they had to get away.
It broke one of the hoversoles, but Izuku took to the air again and escaped. Izumi cursed and glared at Mineta who sent her a wave. She leaned over so Awase could remove Mineta's sticky ball from her shirt.
"Damn I thought I'd gotten rid of him during the obstacle race. That guy is annoyingly persistent."
"Next time, Izumi-chan, I'll be coming for you." He said with a laugh and had her turning blue and shuddering. As the teams bypassed each other Izumi looked to Shiozaki.
"Shut that little twerp up for me, will yah?"
"Of course," Shiozaki slipped her vines in through the small opening of Shoji's arms, and snatched Mineta's headband away passing it up to Izumi. "Although this seems a little underhanded."
"Trust me, Shio-chan, the idiot deserves it."
Explosions rang out and Izumi's eyes fled upward as she saw Bakugo launch himself up to attack Izuku.
"Tch, typical." Izumi's brow knit in irritation.
"Is that even allowed?" Awase gawked.
"So long as he doesn't hit the ground. I thought of doing it too but I don't have as good of control in the air as he does." her lips curve as Bakugo was successfully blocked by Tokoyami. "Besides, Izuku's defense is too good." She looked up to the scoreboard. "Second place… we have 1520 points built up." She jerked her head and sent out a full cowl to keep one of Class B's teams back and away from her. "People are starting to notice and going after the easier points for second and third place. We may just want to concentrate on defending for now."
"You Bastard! Give that back!" She heard Bakugo shout and glanced behind her. Monoma had cleverly waited for his opportunity and snagged Bakugo's headband from behind.
"You see what I mean?"
~Meanwhile~
Izuku landed again, his heart beating fast and his face blue with concern over the latest close call. There was only five minutes left in the game, and he had to be more careful. With their equipment damage they wouldn't be able to take to the air as easily anymore.
Lucky for them, it appeared that the other teams were going after lesser points. He saw the crowds breaking up, going after those with the middle point values, hoping to accumulate a higher score.
"Looks like we'll be okay. It's gonna get easier from here- WHOA!" he jerked as Uraraka suddenly put on the breaks. Izuku lifted his eyes and he spotted Todoroki. He felt cold dread tense up in him and he narrowed his eyes. "This… isn't gonna be easy, is it?"
~With Izumi~
"Okay, now Todoroki's in on the game." Izumi took note and gave a shout to Shiozaki who brought her vines up to protect from another attack. "As confident as I am in our team, I think we should just play defensively." Izumi decided.
"What for?" Tetsu pouted a bit and bumped head with another horse making them waver and back off. "We can handle this."
"If Todoroki is after the ten million, we're just gonna get caught between those two. I don't know what his deal is with my brother, but he's not going to let anyone interfere on his assault." While her reasons were true enough, she also didn't want to go anywhere near Todoroki. His words from before still had her feeling unsettled and she needed to concentrate on the task at hand. "Izuku's on his own."
"So you just want to give up on the ten million?" Awase frowned. "If our plan is successful we-"
"Hey!" A voice suddenly cut Awase off and Izumi glanced over. The student rider was one she didn't recognize… a general studies it looked like. His team consisted of Aoyama and Ojiro, and another student from class B. "You're Izumi Midoriya, aren't you?" He smirked at her making her scowl. "I'll be taking those points now."
"Tch," what an arrogant jerk. "I'd like to see you tr-" She couldn't get another word out. Her head suddenly filled with mist and fuzz and her hands fell limp at her sides.
Hitoshi Shinso smirked and he motioned his team forward. Not only had he managed to blank out the leader, but her team had stupidly opened their mouths in protest and now they sat frozen and open for attack.
"Too Easy…"
~Ask Briry~
Briry: Yay! Another chapter up! I'm getting moved to swing shift so most of my writing and posting will be earlier in the day, but that also means I won't have as much time to write. -_- here's hoping it won't cause too much of a delay.
Questions!?
What happened with USJ?
Briry: I'm pretty sure I mentioned this before but I'm going to clarify. The incident at USJ did not occur in this universe. Because of the way I'm writing the backstory and timeline the motives and plans of the villains are going to differ from canon. I hope this clears that up.
Next Chapter: Daddy Issues
