Midori the Girlfriend

Author's Note: So I got a suggestion from a reader to add a poll onto my profile to make the voting a little easier. I'm still allowing votes here in the reviews and will add them to the overall results. Thanks Resya018

Chapter 8: Hero Killer!

~Internship: Day 2~

Hero Killer: Stain

Izumi had heard of him on the news, and had done her own separate research on the internet. He'd killed up to 17 heroes and injured 23 beyond recovery. He was a trained killer, one who had his own ethics and values. It was often said he was an extremist, and before becoming a villain would preach to the masses on the street about an unjust world filled with fake heroes who sought money and fame, and irrational villains who held no ethics or reasons for their unjust crimes.

He wasn't like any villain she'd heard of before, and knew that if their paths would cross during this internship, it would most likely leave a huge impact… or kill her, one of the two. Endeavor seemed confident enough in hers and Shoto's abilities to trust them to patrol the streets of Hosu, but Izumi wondered if they were all in over their head.

The other thing she worried about was Iida. She knew he had taken the internship at Manual's agency, in Hosu, and hoped he was doing alright. The fact that Ingenium was now out of commission was just extra fuel to Iida's grief and didn't want him to do anything stupid. She wished there'd been something, anything she could have done or say to comfort, to help the pain ease.

Shoto noticed the nerves, he spot checked her as she did weights and frowned down. He grabbed the bar, pulling it from her hands to set it down. "You're distracted, Izumi. That's dangerous."

"Sorry…" She slowly sat up, grabbed her towel to dab the sweat on her face and frowned. "I was thinking about Iida."

"Ah…" He took her towel and set it over her head to help dry off the temples and along the hairline. "He's doing his internship in Hosu as well. It's only natural you're worried about him." He sat beside her on the bench.

"I text him the moment I found out we were coming to Hosu. He hasn't responded, and normally he always responds within a couple minutes. I tried calling him and he won't answer me." She gripped the towel tightly in her fingers. "It's more than just being worried about him. I don't want him to do anything stupid."

"Iida wouldn't do that." He stroked her back. "He's the class rep. He knows his responsibilities."

"Maybe… but-" Izumi pulled the towel down and Shoto was taken aback by the tears stirring in Izumi's eyes. "When you're that wound up over something, feeling so much pain and grief, even your best judgement can get shut out."

'Izumi…" Shoto didn't want to admit that she was right. He knew full well what it was like to act upon pent up anger and frustration. It left him feeling a bit unsettled.

Gran Torino watched the two interact. He had to admit Endeavor had a point that those two worked well together, and were in easy company. They had all the signs of a good partnership; communication, trust, acknowledgement and respect of each other's powers. In time he could see them working well together… if it weren't for the fact Izumi was meant to be more than that.

She carried a legacy, not just All Might's but for every person who had been the carrier of One for All. That particular legacy came with chains, and burdens not every partnership was ready for. He wondered if her young heart was even ready for the task. She was good, real good in adapting her powers to be flexible in situations… but that flexibility came with a busy brain, and that brain could be her downfall. She thought entirely too much and about everything at once.

If Endeavor was serious about making these two pair up, then it was up to him to find out if Todoroki could be the support she'd need in the future to balance that busy brain of hers.

"Todoroki…" Gran Torino called out to Shoto and had him lifting his head. "Come here for a moment, and girl you take ten." he pointed at Izumi waving her away with a frown. The two looked at each other, Izumi shrugged and got up walking off to get water and take a breather. Shoto strolled up and bowed in respect.

"Yes, Sir, Gran Torino?"

"Follow me," He turned and using his cane walked out of the workout room. He took him down into the basement of the hotel that had been refashioned into a dojo per Endeavor's request. Gran Torino knew a man like Enji Todoroki often got what he asked... No... demanded for.

Shoto glanced around and felt his nerves tighten when the old man turned and faced him. "I've tested young Midoriya, but I've yet to test you. I watched your performance in the Sports Festival. You're good, but your father is right when he says you rely too much on your quirk."

"Ah," Shoto hid the wince. He hated admitting that. He'd taken this training with a grain of salt, had swallowed his pride because he knew no matter how much of a bastard his father was, he was a man of experience. "I'm working on it."

"Let's work on it faster, huh? I want you to try and hit me." He let go of his cane stretching out his legs. "Even if it's just a tap, be sure to hit me before I hit you."

Before Shoto had time to even take a breath Gran Torino was buzzing by fast and quick. Shoto let out a gasp as he felt the hot on his shoulders, his head, his side. His eyes searched desperately for an opening, to follow his movements. He automatically felt his right side frosting over but a quick buzz by his ear had him halting the ice. He couldn't rely on his quirk! He had to think!

"All this time spent with that girl and this is the best you've got?" Gran Torino spoke from above him and stared down at hi with eyes that gleamed intimidatingly. It was an entirely different persona than the one he'd met outside the hotel the previous night. "If it wasn't for that girl's bleeding heart she would have beat you at the Sports Festival."

Todoroki tensed up and Gran Torino's next hit sent him skidding back onto his ass. He stared blankly at the floor a minute, letting that information sink in.

Are… Are you holding back?

No, he hadn't been. He'd been determined to beat her using only his left, but he had told her as much. It had pissed him off to think she believed he was holding anything else back.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLAYING AT!?"

He wasn't playing…

Be realistic! Do you honestly think you can beat me like that!? In case you haven't noticed I've landed two hits on you and you've barely touched me! Now fight me seriously, come at me with everything you've got!"

That was it… it didn't matter the stakes, didn't matter how you won, just that you won. Shoto let the ice form just as Gran Torino made his next move. He built a wall around him giving him time to think. He heard the wall crack as Torino thought to break through it and Shoto sent his flames going. As the ice melted, steam rose up clouding the area around him. He could still hear him, the sound of his jets, and through the smoke he dodged and made a grab for him.

Gran Torino jerked away last minute dodging and bolted up. Shoto just barely missed nipping him by the ankle, but instead Gran Torino twisted his body and used his jets to thrust a kick at the back of Shoto's head sending him sprawling face first into the concrete. He stopped and landed letting out a slow breath

"Whew… it's been awhile since I had to put the turbos on." Gran Torino watched Shoto shake off the hit and stand up facing him. "I told you not to use your quirk, but you didn't actually use it to hit me. I say you've made considerable progress."

Shoto's head jerked a bit in response to that.

"One of Midoriya's fine points is she's able to think outside the box. She uses her quirk in a variation of ways which makes her more flexible to her surroundings. Relying heavily on your quirk isn't necessarily a bad thing since it's what makes you powerful, but you have to find ways to use it that helps your natural movement rather than limits them. Creating the steam allowed you to focus on your sense of hearing." He tapped his ear. "At the same time it made it hard for me to calculate where you were, and put me off balance. It was a good move."

"Thank you… but I think we're both in agreement that I still have much to learn."

"Both of you do. I praise Midoriya because I see the progress your father has been working on. She's stronger, more durable… but her mind is clouded." He tapped his temple. "Her ability to think outside the box is what gives her an advantage over an opponent, but if she loses that by not being able to focus it's dangerous. If you two do end up working together you have to make sure she keeps that focus, or it could very well be her downfall."

Those words of advice, that wisdom, Shoto took it to heart even as they all got ready to go on patrol. He'd changed his costume after the Sports Festival, removing the ice armor from his left side so he could freely use his fire. The costume was simple, but it suited him. His physical appearance was enough to make him memorable, and it allowed for easy movement. The material was temperature resistance both ice and fire

He half listened to his father as they walked down the streets of Hosu. It was the basic low down on how a hero agency worked, what to expect, what to do, and what to look for after you were certified. In Shoto's case he had a leg up over his classmates by being part of a lineage and would more than likely just take over his dad's agency when the old man decided to retire. The thought of that had originally bothered him. He hadn't wanted anything of the Old Man's… until Izumi.

She'd taught him that he didn't have to let the weight of his pass pressure him into anything. His quirk was his own, and no matter what the old man passed on whether it was advice, knowledge, or a damn agency he intended to make it his own He'd take whatever advantages the bastard gave him and shove it down his throat. Shoto would become the hero Shoto wanted to be.

What sort of future did Izumi want? She wanted to be a hero, that much was true, but what kind of hero? Did she really want to be like All Might? Did she really see herself becoming the new Symbol of Peace?

He thought of her smile, her determination, and the look in her eyes when she took on a villain… and yeah he could see it. He could see her forming into the next All Might. With her persistance, her skill, and her optimism he could imagine her doing anything she set her mind on.

When you're that wound up over something, feeling so much pain and grief, even your best judgement can get shut out..

Her ability to think outside the box is what gives her an advantage over an opponent, but if she loses that by not being able to focus it's dangerous.

The sight of Manual's Agency had him stopping suddenly. He looked up at it his eyes narrowing. Endeavor paused when he felt Shoto stopping and glanced back at him frowning. "What is it?"

"I want to go inside."

"This is not a pleasure walk, Shoto."

"Believe me it's not for pleasure." He went up the steps and inside, Endeavor scowling at him then sighing. Oh well, he could probably get some local information from Manual while he was here.

When the two of them stepped in Endeavor was immediately recognized and praised. The sidekicks were more than happy to give Endeavor the information he wanted on the Hero Killer, but Shoto had other plans.

"I'm looking for my classmate, Tenya Iida. Is he here?" Shoto asked one of the sidekicks.

"Hmm? Oh yes, he and Manual just got back from patrol not that long ago. They're upstairs doing paperwork if you want to see him."

"Thanks," Shoto stuffed his hands in his pockets and took the steps slowly. He wasn't entirely sure what he was gonna say, but knew he had to say something. He stood outside the door for a long moment before knocking and opening it. The moment Iida saw him, Shoto saw the color drain out of his face.

"Todoroki-kun? Why are you here?"

"Pardon the intrusion, Manual." He bowed in respect then turned to Iida. "My father's agency is here in Hosu on a business matter. Though you would know that, Iida if you'd bother to read and respond to the messages Midoriya has been sending you."

"S-sorry," he cast his eyes downward. Guilt swallowing his voice and he had to take a moment to collect himself before answering. "I've been busy concentrating on my internship."

"I see… Manual, may I speak with Iida alone for a moment? My father is downstairs I'm sure he'd like to meet you."

"As I would, take all the time you need." Manual pat Iida's shoulder and made his way out. Todoroki closed the door and narrowed his eyes in heavy suspicion. "Internship or not, a simple "I'm busy," or "thanks for letting me know," isn't too much to ask for, Iida."

"Why are you really here?" Iida clenched his fists at his sides. "To give me a lecture for ignoring your girlfriend?"

"She's your friend, Iida and she's worried you're gonna do something stupid. Until I saw your face a moment ago I would have thought she was overreacting, but this," he points at his face. "Says it all."

"It's my business, neither you nor her have any right to judge me on my actions. It doesn't concern you!" Iida sneered. "I'll do what I feel is right."

"Even if it means costing you your career, or worse your life?" Shoto clenched his fists at his sides.

"I told you it's none of your concern!"

"LIKE HELL IT ISN'T!" Shoto snapped at him his hair flaring as his flames started to sizzle along his left side. "I know we're not close, I don't have the same friendship with you, that you have with Izumi and Uraraka, but if it concerns Izumi it concerns me! She's worried sick about you! It's distracting her, making her unsettled and unhappy!" He watched Iida's face go guilty and angry and he averted his eyes again. The man was struggling with his honor, his guilt, and his grief. "Izumi cried over you, did you know that?"

Iida's eyes widened and he looked up in shock.

"What?"

"The day of the Sports Festival. She felt so guilty and upset she could do or say anything to comfort you, or help you with your grief that I saw her cry for the first time since I'd met her. You're important to her Iida, you're like a brother to her! Before you go out and do something stupid think about what those selfish actions of yours will do to the people who care about you!"

"Then what do you want me to do!?" Iida yelled back at him! Grief making him choke out the words and he held his chest. "What am I supposed to do with all this anger, and frustration, and grief? I can't think clearly, I can't focus on anything else! You don't understand!"

"I do! I do understand, because i was exactly the same way. I was so focused on shutting out my old man I forgot to look at the big picture. I was so aggrieved by what happened with my mother that I couldn't get past the hate and resentment! Izumi lit the way for me… she helped me to see things clearly, and they're so much easier when you just accept what's happened and move forward with your life."

"I…" Iida swallowed hard, and looked down at his shaking hands. He recalled Izumi at the Sports Festival, badly injured from her fight, but still cheering him on with a bright smile. When he'd gone down to see her and Uraraka after his match she hadn't been there, had gone off to wish Bakugo luck. She hadn't been there when he'd gotten the call. What was worse than finding out he'd made her cry, was realizing that he hadn't even noticed she was missing. What did that say about him?

"I have to go, My old man is going to want to leave. I will tell you one thing though." Shoto calmed himself taking a deep breath. "The real reason my father is here in Hosu is so he can track down and find the Hero Killer."

Iida's breath choked out and he looked up.

"Wh-what?"

"He's done his research, and for the same reasons you took this internship in Hosu is the same reason he's here on business. He say he plans to find the Hero Killer and stop him before anyone else gets hurt or killed… but I know he's just doing this for his own ego. Even so I hope for both yours and Izumi's sake I hope my old man finds him first."

With that Shoto turned and left Iida alone with his thoughts. Shoto had said his peace, it would be up to Iida to act upon it or ignore it altogether. Either way he could at least tell Izumi he'd talked to him, and give her some peace of mind.

While Shoto was having his heart to heart with Iida, Izumi was helping take down a petty thief. The sticky finger villain was a foul mouth and had been a pain in the ass to track down, but between her and Gran Torino the two of them were able to pin him down and recover the stolen goods.

"Okay you can seriously be quiet now." Izumi pulled the bandana from around the guy's head and stuffed it in his mouth to keep him from turning the air blue. "Geez what a potty mouth, he's worse than Kacchan."

"Nice work, kid." Gran Torino waved down a police officer and they turned him over. "Not bad for your first."

"Well I wouldn't say it was my first since the USJ incident, but…" Izumi smiled. "It's good to feel the difference between a regular thief and a super villain."

"That's a good point." he poked his cane into her belly. "You never want to use the same tactics to take down a small thief like this, that you would against someone more dangerous. You have to adapt to each situation with a fresh outlook."

Izumi started fumbling in her pockets and pulled out a little notebook scribbling and muttering notes. Gran Torino blinked and sighed and poked the cane between her eyes this time making her snap out of her mutters.

"That mind of yours never shuts off does it?"

"No," Izumi laughed rubbing the back of her head. "Guess not… ah Shoto!" She spotted Endeavor and Shoto as they walked towards them. "How did the hunt go?"

"All of Dad's sources says things have been relatively quiet since Hero Killer's last attack on Ingenium. Still all the evidence points that he'll strike again, and soon."

"Tomorrow we will go out later in the evening when he's more likely to strike. We might be able to bait him out." Endeavor narrowed his gaze at the various alleyways and dark hiding spots.

"Why don't you take your sidekicks for that kind of dangerous work, these kids don't need to get involved with something that dangerous." Gran Torino pointed out. "Talented as they are, they're not certified and will only get in your way."

"He's got a point," Shoto told his father glancing up. "Why do you want us along?"

"I've my reasons… for now, let's return to the hotel. Take care of your paperwork and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's another long day."

~League of Villains" Hideout~

"So you wanted to add me to your numbers," Stain stood over his victim, Tomura sprawled out underneath him, Strain's blade dug deep inside making him bleed. "No matter what you want to accomplish, you cannot do so without conviction and desire."

"Shit that hurts…" Tomura said laughing slow, he had no fear in his voice, but instead there was a thread of control threatening to break. "Kurogiri, take this guy back."

"I, I can't move…" Kurogiri was left paralyzed, an effect of Stain's quirk.

"This society overgrown with fake heroes, where the world itself has lost it's true meaning," Stain stared down at Tomura. He'd initially been intrigued by the offer to join the league of Villains, hoping to find others that shared his convictions, but what he had found was a spoiled child waving power around like it was a toy. "...and criminals who wave their power around idly, should all be purged."

Just as his knife was about to cut into Tomura' neck, and therefore the hand that covered his face, Tomura grabbed the blade in his hand his eyes wide and wild as he stared through the parted fingers. "Don't you dare cut into this hand. I'll kill you, if you do."

Stain blinked in surprise and his attention and interest piquing when his blade cracked under Tomura's quirk.

"You sure talk a lot. Conviction? I don't have anything as grand as that. If I had to say…" he smiled as the knife rusted and turned to dust in his palm. "Yeah… it'd be All Might. I feel I want to completely crush the society where trash like that gets worshipped."

Stain jerked and jumped out of the way when Tomura grabbed for him. Tomura bled on the floor and he snarled in response to it. "My last wound was almost mended. We don't have a healer in our party you know, are you gonna take responsibility for this?" He held his shoulder gritting his teeth at him.

So… the young man did have some desire in there. It was small, but deeply rooted, like a flower bud waiting to blossom. Though their motives were opposing, the final result was the same. They both wanted to destroy the present. "People show their true colors when they're on the verge of death. It's different, but there is desire… a sprout of conviction living inside you. How will you bud, I wonder? It may not be too late to wait until after that to dispose of you."

"You're gonna dispose of me?" Tomura grit his teeth from under his mask. "Kurogiri, I don't want someone like him as a party member."

"Shigaraki, he would be a valuable asset if he were to join us." Kurogiri looked at Stain who had lowered his guard some, and he sensed an understanding in him. "The negotiations were successful."

"My business is done, now return me to Hosu." Stain licked his lips, his hunger for blood clear in his eyes. "There are some things I must attend to there."

"Of course," Kurogiri stepped out from behind the counter and ushered Tomura back before opening a portal for him. Stain looked to them, then at the picture Tomura had dropped after his initial attack.

"I wonder…" Stain picked up the picture and turned it around so Tomura stared into Izumi's face. "What sort of desire lingers in you for this one." He sneered when Tomura snatched the picture out of his hand and shoved it in his pocket. "I see...I'll leave it alone, then. Either way my conviction remains clear, whether or not it suits yours is yet to be seen." He stepped through the portal and out into the night.

~Ask Briry~

Briry: Ugh… no good… I'm dying….

Ochaco: Sorry readers, this update took longer than expected because our author suddenly caught a cold. She's a bit out of sorts so she apologizes if this chapter seems a bit choppy.

Briry: I see the light! Death is near!

Ochaco: Umm…. hopefully she'll be back to her normal and less insane feverish self soon.

Next Chapter: Attack on Hosu