She's the Man
Chapter 17: The boy is mine!
The entire 1A class, minus Bakugo, was in shock. It wasn't that they expected Izumi to lose the fight, but the manner in which she won had been brutal. She'd completely overwhelmed the top student in the class, and had done so without breaking a sweat.
"I told you, your sister is merciless. She's not taking any prisoners." Bakugo grunted and aimed a finger in the air.
"I've never seen Izumi in combat like this. When she went against Todoroki in practice all she was trying to do was distract him." He whispered it so only Bakugo could hear. "This was just as you said… merciless."
"I'm looking forward to my fight with her." Bakugo cracked his knuckles grinning. "I can't wait to show that tempermental half pint her proper place."
"You don't know if you're gonna fight her yet, Kacchan. You still have two battles to win, and she has to win her next matchup as well." Izuku rationalized.
"I can already tell how these matchups are gonna go. It's gonna be you vs. Todoroki and me Vs. your sister in the semi-final matchups, and then you and I are gonna go head to head in the finals!" He beat his fist into his hand. "I'm fired up just thinking about it!"
"You're making assumptions again… there's no guarantee that either of us will-"
"Don't underestimate me, or yourself for that matter." He reached out and squeezed Izuku's cheeks together. "You're gonna make it to the finals. If you don't I'll make you regret it."
Izuku couldn't say anything so he merely nodded. When Bakugo pulled back Izuku rubbed his cheeks. Kacchan still had to beat Uraraka… and then whoever won in the match with Kaminari and Awase…
Speaking of Uraraka, where did she go? He wondered glancing over to his right. She'd been beside him during Izumi's fight and then all of a sudden she'd disappeared.
"Wonder where she went."
~Waiting Room~
Izumi needed a moment, needed several moments. Damn it she was pissed off. WHy the hell did Yaoyorozu have to be like that? Why did she have to look so wounded after the fight? The girl was a walking talking lecture machine during class, you'd think she'd have SOMETHING to say other than, "I'm sorry."
"Where the hell had that come from?" Izumi opened the door to the waiting room, and spotted Uraraka. Her temples throbbed. Why couldn't she find quiet when she needed it. "What are you doing in here?"
"Oh, Izumi. I was hoping you'd come here first." Uraraka stood up, her face obviously tensed up.
"Shouldn't you be concentrating on your match with Bakugo?" She glanced down the hall to see if anyone else was lingering around.
"I've been concentrating on it, but there's something I need to get off my chest, or I won't be able to move forward." Ochaco held her chest. "It's been bothering me for awhile, and now that I'm up against such a strong opponent I need my mind clear."
"Got something on your mind, huh?" Izumi closed the door and crossed her arms leaning back against it. "Alright, let's hear it."
"Why do you hate Bakugo?"
Of all the questions Izumi expected her to ask, that was the last thing on her mind. Izumi's brow winged up in curiosity.
"That's the question you want to ask me?"
"Yes, you guys are so much alike-"
"IN WHAT WAY!?" Izumi shouted and had Uraraka flinching back.
"In that way…" Uraraka pointed out shrinking back from Izumi's temper.
"Oh for crying out loud." Izumi rubbed her temples. "I'm Izuku's twin, not Bakugo's. I may have a temper but that doesn't make me like him. I'm not a bully."
"You sure about that?" Ochaco murmured under her breath.
"What?" Izumi's head lifted up.
"Are you sure you're not a bully? You were pretty mean to Momo earlier."
"We were battling, Uraraka. You kinda need to be mean if you want to win. Despite what some would say, there are no nice fights, no friendly battle. It's skill against skill."
"You made her cry though," Uraraka went on. "What did you say to her to make her-"
"Oh for the love of…" Izumi punched her fist into the wall making a small crater hole. "Yaoyorozu needs to woman up! She's a strong and capable hero, she can't go on crying everytime she loses a fight or someone criticizes her. She has zero confidence in herself and it was damn irritating to see that in battle! She thinks too much, doesn't use her instincts, and she's more than capable of handling me physically if she'd just learn not to let her damn fear get in the way!"
"You, really admire her don't you, Izumi?" Uraraka concluded. "That's why you were so hard on her."
"Yeah that's right. She got in through recommendations, has an incredible quirk, an even more incredible mind. I bet if she took the written exam right now she's get a perfect score! So why is it someone so incredible has to be such a wimp!" Izumi clenched her fists at her side and cursed. "I wanted a real challenge, I wanted a big sweaty fight to work off the aggression and frustration I've been building up all day. More than that I wanted to match her talents up to mine. I wanted to see if I could really beat her fair and square, but to win like this when it feels like she didn't even try… it really sucks!"
Uraraka smiled and came over hugging Izumi and patting her back.
"There, there, Izumi-chan. You'll get that chance."
"Why did you want to know about Bakugo anyway?" She sniffed and wiped the tears that threatened to fall.
"Well… I know Momo was nervous going up against you and I don't blame her at all because I'm terrified about going up against Bakugo. As I said you two are a lot a like, temperament wise. Plus you're both really strong, and determined fighters. I was wondering why you hated someone your brother obviously has feelings for."
"That's… wait what?!" Izumi looked at Uraraka wide eyed. "What do you mean?"
"Sorry, I thought you knew about them… forget I said anything."
"No.. no I knew but…" Izumi's head started to spin and she suddenly slid down to the ground and put her head between her knees. "Oh I'm dizzy. How did you know about Bakugo and my brother?"
"Kirishima, Ashido and I were at a diner and the two came in. We tried to get them to join us but Bakugo wouldn't have it. I really wanted Deku-kun to stay so I followed him out… and saw them holding hands as they walked down the street." Uraraka blushed at the memory.
"You got all that from them holding hands?"
"Well that, and Bakugo grabbed his ass while walking across the street to the park." She recalled and squirmed uncomfortably at the memory. "I pretended I didn't see anything… but ever since then I've been paying attention to the two of them. Despite some tension, they're really… close."
"Uraraka…"
"I like your brother… and I thought if I hinted at it he'd come to see it and like me back. He reacts to me which is good, but Bakugo always seems to find a way to pull him back. "
"Izuku does like you but his feelings for Bakugo are… complicated and twisted up." Izumi stood and undid her braid to run fingers through the length of her hair.. "It's been that way for years and those feelings aren't just going to go away."
"So… if your brother likes him so much. Why do you hate him?" Uraraka bit her thumb. "Does he treat Deku badly?"
"Not anymore… as far as I know." Izumi sighed. "Bakugo used to pick on my brother a lot. Called him helpless quirkless Deku for years… now the name's kinda stuck there. I think he's a jerk, but Izuku has always seen something in Bakugo that I haven't. Lately…" Izumi's eyes narrowed and lowered. "I hate to admit it but I'm starting to see it. On top of that Bakugo really seems to have genuine feelings for my brother and it makes my own opinions about their relationship complicated."
"I see…" Uraraka fidgeted and flushed. "I'd kinda hoped that he had feelings for you."
"Do you want to die?" Izumi's aura went dark and her eyes glinted with murder. Uraraka let out a squeak and backed up. "We've hated each other for years, it's a mutual thing."
"You sure about that?"
"OF COURSE I'M SURE! BAKUGO AND I HATE EACH OTHER THERE'S NOTHING ROMANTIC ABOUT TWO PEOPLE SCREAMING!" Izumi's temper flared out of control… she got to her feet and held her head wishing the red haze would fade. "Ugh my head… I've been holding back my temper for so long, I can't control it anymore."
"Hmmm you've been holding it back?"
Izumi tensed and waved her off.
"Never mind that. Look before I lose it again, just answer me this. Why do you like my brother?"
"He saved me…" Uraraka answered openly and flushed holding her cheeks. "When I first saw him at the entrance exam he looked like a tempermental delinquent… but then he saved me from that zero robot and I thought okay he's a delinquent with a heart. Then I saw him again in class and there was this shy, and soft hearted guy who just hadn't figured out how to interact with people yet. He had such a rough look but inside he's a soft gooey teddy bear and… hehehe…" little hearts danced around her head and Izumi went blue faced. She didn't have the heart to tell Uraraka had fallen for the wrong sibling.
"You poor girl…"
~Elsewhere~
Izuku flushed bright red as he sat in the waiting room with Bakugo. The guy had locked the door and had made him sit on his lap. "Kacchan… you sure you don't want to stretch or grab a snack or something?"
"No…" he grunted and nuzzled into Izuku's neck, his breath hot and heavy. "This is the only sustenance I need right now. We can't do this out in the open, so I'm taking my fill while I can."
Izuku flushed more his eyes soft with affection and he held Bakugo's hands that latched around him.
"Can I… ask you a question, Kacchan?"
"Probably a stupid one, I'll bet… but go ahead." He rested his chin on Izuku's shoulders.
"You've never really been this affectionate before… Don't get me wrong I like it, but… why the sudden change?" He fidgeted nervously, waiting for an answer.
Bakugo remained silent, his hands loosening a bit under Izuku's grip, but then tightened back up again. He opened his mouth wide and bit down on Izuku's neck hard.
"GAAAH!" He jerked in response and wriggled free and held his neck blinking wide eyed. "What was that for?"
"Leaving something behind…"
"Eh?" Izuku blinked at Bakugo's serious expression.
"We started this relationship on a whim, and who knows how long we'll be with each other." He stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets staring his boyfriend down. "I realized part way into this that if I continued treating this as a whim and a fling, you'll probably forget all about it as we get older. You're already being noticed by girls, and you're noticing them back, and it's the first sign that we're growing up and growing a part."
"Kacchan…" Izuku rubbed his neck. "Wasn't it you who said-"
"I know what I said!" He shouted and snarled. "Listen to what I'm saying now. I'm being realistic. It doesn't matter if you love me now, and it doesn't matter that I'm finally accepting your feelings, because sooner or later this is gonna end. I've accepted it, but I refuse to accept being forgotten! When we're both older and married with brats running around, I don't want to be just some fuzzy memory in the back of your mind. I want to be etched in here!" He stabbed a finger in Izuku's chest.
"What? In here?" Izuku held his chest.
"They say you never forget your first love, but I'm not taking any chances." Bakugo's eyes narrowed on him. "I told your sister that when this had run its course that I'd let you down easy… but I've decided that's not gonna work. When you love someone it shouldn't be easy, it should be hard as hell. So I'm doing all these mushy romantic things to seal my spot, leaving behind everything I can so that when we do break away, it'll hurt like hell."
"Kacchan…" Izuku's eyes filled and he nodded and wiped at him. "Yeah… it'll hurt… it'll be the hardest thing I'll ever have to do."
"Good…" he flicked a finger over a tear and then leaned in and kissed him rough and hard. "Then let's hang onto this for as long as we can."
"Are you sure?" Izuku sniffed. "Even though you like Izumi-"
"Did I mention anything abo- crap I guess I did… forget about your sister! I'm talking about you and me. Your sister hates me, and i've moved on from that. You're the one I'm with, and you're the one I'm keeping! Got that!?"
Izuku nodded and slipped back into bakugo's possessive arms and fell into the kiss. His rugged hands dug into the back of his shirt and he held on for dear life. He felt Bakugo nip at his bottom lip and pull back whispering.
"I gotta go beat on a girl… but when this day is over, I want to leave more than just a tiny love bite behind." he traced a finger against the collar of the shirt and pulled it higher so that it covered. "You understand?"
"Yeah…" he tapped his heart and then Bakugo's. "You'll always be there."
~In the Stands~
Izumi slumped in her seat head tossed back and face pale. Today was turning out to be one of the strangest days of her life. Temper tantrums, body piles, teen drama, romance, angst… it was all cluttering together to form a pile of stress on her heart.
"I don't know how much more of this I can take." She covered her face with her hands. "This whole arrangement has turned my life completely upside down and inside out."
"Zumi…" Izuku jogged down the steps to her and sat down. "You okay? You look really out of it."
"I just had an odd conversation with Uraraka…" She glanced over at her brother who looked flushed and happy, but concerned for her. "What's got you so chipper?"
"Hmm? Oh, I had a odd conversation of my own but I guess the outcomes were different." He blushed and laughed. Bakugo, Izumi realized immediately and she sighed heavily.
"He's a nicer guy then I gave him credit for… but I still don't see what you see in him." Izumi stretched her foot out onto the railing and bounced back and forth in her seat.
"You don't have to…" Izuku touched his heart smiling bigger. "In fact… I think it's better that you don't. It just makes my relationship with him all the more special."
Izumi blinked at the smile, and her lips twitched in a smirk.
"You're such a maiden."
~In the Ring~
"It's the eight and final match of the first round. He was a big shot in middle school, This isn't the face of a regular person. From the Hero Course, it's Katsuki Bakugo."
Bakugo stood on the one side of the ring, looking at Ochaco with a stern expression. This girl was his enemy… not just in rivalry but she represented everything that would pull Deku away from him. Pretty, sweet, and a bit air headed... she was the perfect person for Deku to fall for. If he dropped his guard, he knew she'd take full advantage of it and make her move. He couldn't afford to make mistakes.
"Versus… the one I'm personally rooting for… from the Hero Course, Ochaco Uraraka!"
Uraraka stared her opponent down, her hands clenched at her side. This fight had so much riding on it. Not only did she need to show her stuff and prove herself a capable hero… but this fight represented her struggle for Deku's affection. This guy… for whatever reason… had Deku's heart. She needed to take it away from him, and needed to show Deku that he deserved better.
"You're the one who messes with gravity right, Round Face? If you're gonna back out of the match then do it now." Bakugo warned her, but Ochaco lifted her chin. When the fight started she rushed him.
"Giving up isn't an option for me!"
Izumi nodded in approval at Uraraka's strategy. She sat up straight to watch the fight properly and her calculating eyes took in the battle. Uraraka was had a huge disadvantage from the start. Bakugo was a strong, competitive fighter and knew how to handle his quirk well. The only chance the poor girl had was to touch him, and float him outside the ring.
"She's pretty good…" Izumi commented and Izuku nodded in agreement.
"Mmmm, Uraraka-san may not have combat strength, but she's not weak. Her determination can take her a long way…"
Still they both winced as Uraraka took a blast to the face. Bakugo was merciless, not taking any chances to let the girl get in close. Despite being knocked down and around over and over, Uraraka relentlessly attacked him, aiming to grab hold.
From the stands, the battle looked so one sided… it was bad enough that other audience members were booing Bakugo for toying with her. Izuku looked around, hearing the boos and the hisses of the crowd calling Bakugo a bully. It was an outright uproar.
The words he heard, hurt. Izuku clenched his chest feeling his heart ache and he stood up shouting at the crowd.
"STOP IT!"
"Izuku…" Izumi looked up at her brother wide eyed from his sudden outburst.
"He's not a bully… Stop calling him that!" Even though his voice was drowned out by the other screaming, Izuku screamed on. "Shut up!"
"Izuku calm down!" Izumi yanked her brother to his seat and stroked his back. "What's gotten into you."
"Why can't they see it? Why can't they see what Kacchan's really doing? He's not toying with her, he's not beating her up for the sake of it… he's attacking like this because he knows Uraraka's strong and a worthy opponent. Why can't they see it!?"
"Who's the one who started this uproar, are you a hero?" Aizawa's voice came over the intercom, and had Izumi smiling and stroking her brother's back comfortingly.
"Aizawa sensei to save the day." She sighed in relief as the crowd calmed... and then blinked as she glanced up in the air.
"Whoa… Izuku-" She tilted his face up, and Izuku's wet eyes went wide as well at the collection of rocks. "Whoever started that uproar, is about to look pretty damn stupid."
This was it… Uraraka thought wiping the sweat from her cheek. Her last ditch effort. She put everything she had into this plan, and now she'd see the fruit of her labor.
"Thank you, Bakugo… for keeping your eyes focused on me." She poised her hands, eyes narrowed in concentration. She couldn't hide the smile of satisfaction at seeing Bakugo's face go shocked and stare up at the sky. She released the crash of rocks and debris she'd collected from the exploded bits of stage… and made her move.
Crap! Shit! FUCK! Bakugo panicked on the inside seeing the falling rock. He poised his own hands, knowing he was leaving himself open, but he had no other option. He had to stop these rocks, or he'd be too vulnerable. Using his maximum firepower he released a savage blast from his palm and turned the chunks of debris into dust.
Pain shot up his arm, making him cramp and twitch. He bit his lip fighting back the scream he wanted to emit. Damn this girl! She was way better than he'd given her credit for.
Still…
"I'd wondered if you'd had some kind of plan… being friends with Deku and all… but you surprised me." He let out a calming breath and looked down at the defeated Uraraka. "You must really like him…"
"Eh?" Uraraka looked up, her body trembling from pain and fatigue. Realization hit and her eyes narrowed and she staggered to her feet. She wasn't done yet, she wasn't finished!
"We can keep going if you want… but I'm not gonna let up. My will to fight is stronger than yours. So keep on trying, keep on fighting… I'll always be here to get in your way… so let's do this URARAKA!" He rushed her, his hands ready to finish her off… but the fight was already gone. Within two steps Uraraka collapsed, and begrudgingly accepted defeat.
~Ask Briry~
Briry: Work keeps changing my schedule, but thankfully I still managed to put out an update! Yay! I'll have Thursday and Friday off, so that means lots of writing time! If I don't post tomorrow, definitely expect one the day after including the first chapter of Hero's Kingdom!
Next Chapter: Tension amongst Rivals
