Notes: I said next weekend after the last chapter... yeah... that didn't happen. my bad.

But got one this week so not too long. Enjoy!

The day had come finally.

The festival preparations were in full swing, with every class getting all of their props or stands set up in the school courtyards. Katara had her idea`````` prepared in her bag as she walked through the grounds, weaving her way past the crowds as they all packed together chatting when their stuff would finish. For the waterbender, she herself was actually feeling pretty good. After Mina, Uraraka and Momo came by the other night and helped give ideas of what the pageant was actually like, the girls began giving thoughts of what would've been a good choice for her to do.

Music, outfits, and performance. The ideas bounced around many times… with a few disagreements here and there. After several things that went through the waterbenders mind, a few things came to her… before something truly special popped into her head that overtook every other idea they all came up with. She couldn't keep the small smile that crept across her face thinking about what she was planning, walking up to the gymnasium where everyone else was prepping for the play they had. As she walked into the large room, she saw many of her classmates already dressed in their matching yellow outfits.

"Katara?" Sero asked when he saw her. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be preparing for the pageant?"

"I Am. I just wanted to come by and see how you guys were doing." Katara said. "I still have time before my performance later. I was hoping to maybe come back and watch you before I-

"Oh no no!" Mina chirped from the side and hopped forward, straightening her dress as she walked towards the waterbender. "You ain't messing around here before your big show. You need to get ready for your big show!"

"I'll be fine," Katara waved her hands. "I'll just have to hurry up after to get back and change. I wouldn't want to miss your performance after all the work you've put into it."

"Katara…" Tenya walked forward and sighed, "While I still feel the choice to become a trophy for all of the hormonally charged tenagers at this school is questionable, I agree with Ashido that you should put priority into your act so you can perform at your best!"

Katara raised her eyebrow at his entire explanation just now. "So do you want me to do this or don't want me to? I'm trying to figure that out right now."

"What he's saying is get your ass out of here!" Bakugo shouted from the drum set on stage.

"In a nicer way, yeah. What Bakugo said." Kaminari laughed as he adjusted his guitar. "We got this down. Don't you worry about this."

Frowning, Katara looked around as everyone else looked her way, seeing the agreement on all their faces. Another thing she noticed was Shoto wasn't there at the moment, probably gone with a few others gathering other materials needed. Hoping to get a moment to talk with him, she sighed out seeing she'd just have to see him later. "I just wanted to see how it all went, though."

"I know, but you gotta do your thing and be ready yourself!" Uraraka cheered out. "You have to make sure whatever you are planning is perfect!"

"Speaking of which…" Mina asked, looking at the tiny bag Katara was holding. "Where is your dress you were going to wear? It certainly isn't in that…"

"Actually, that's another thing I needed…" Katara said, "I need to see Yaoyorozu real fast."

"Hmm? What's up?" Mina asked.

"It's really important. Is she here?"

Overhearing her, Shoji pointed to the door beside the stage where Bakugo, Tokoyami and Kaminari were. "She went outside for a minute to take a call."

"Thanks," Katara took a breath as she walked towards the door. "Well, I hope all you guys do your best. Wish you luck."

"Oh we got this down. The luck goes to you, girl!" Mina gave her a thumbs up.

"Agreed." Tenya gave her a quick salute. "We shall be there after our performance to see your act, Katara! Do your performance to the best of your abilities!"

Smiling at the support, Katara gave a wave as she exited the gym once more through the side door. Bakugo adjusted his drums as he noticed Kendo carrying one of the lights by the stage, The red head still out of costume in a gray tank top and pants. "I'm kind of bummed in some way." She grunted while setting the box down.

"Huh?" Bakugo huffed out, earning a laugh from Kendo.

"It would've been kind of interesting to have me go against my own class. Just for the hell of it." She shrugged and wiped the sweat off her forehead. "Oh well."

Bakugo rolled his eyes as he shifted the kick pedal in place. "Then why the hell did you girls pick her to go instead?"

"Well, she's the class rep, and it's fair for her to take that." Kendo gave another friendly shrug while looking at the door. "And she is really pretty, so why not?"

Without even realizing it, Bakugo glanced up her way at those words. His eyes for some reason ran up her uncovered abs, noticing the defined muscles on her core. He didn't even know why, but his gaze drifted up her body, locking onto the face of the girl that was so stubborn that she didn't back down or even would even push back his temper by force. A face… he studied for a moment that made his own warm up for some reason. He honestly never noticed how her red hair made her bright green eyes stand out more. For some reason he felt his heart speed up, his eye twitching in annoyance. Not knowing what was going on. He frowned and looked away, grumbling under his breath.

"It's not like she's the prettiest here…"

The air itself felt like it was suddenly on fire around Bakugo, his eyes burst from his face in utter shock. He didn't even realize what he said until it was already out, almost afraid to even look up after what even came from his mouth. Kendo however only heard a mutter, looking at him in confusion. "Hmm? What was that?"

"I SAID IT'S NOT LIKE THESE BOXES WILL MOVE THEMSELVES!" He shouted out, bending down and acting like he was adjusting his drum set. "TELL THOSE EXTRAS TO GET THEIR ASSES MOVING!"

Rolling her eyes, Kendo, straightened her side ponytail. "Everyone's got their thing going. Calm down." She said as she hopped off stage, walking towards the changing room to get ready. Back on stage, Bakugo hid his burning face behind the instrument in front of himself, gritting his teeth in frustration and confusion.

'What the hell was that shit?! Where the hell did that come from?!' He growled at himself. "I don't give a damn about Kendo! She's so stubborn and annoying! I don't care how she's prettier than Katara and-

Even his internal thoughts were betraying him, causing him to look up and catch sight of the red head before she went into the bathroom. He then noticed her exposed lower back, leading down to her widening hips above her strong and-

"AHHHHHH!" Bakugo screamed out and grabbed his drumsticks, unleashing his fury and confusion into a drum solo. "DIE YOU DAMN DRUM SET!"

"Bakugo, the hell man! Save it for the show!" Jiro shouted from the side, unable to shout over his sudden instrument rage.


Outside the gym, Katara saw Momo off to the side, slipping her phone back into her pocket and sighing. "Everything okay?" katara asked.

"Yeah…" Momo mumbled in annoyance. "Izuku just had to run to the store to get a few things he forgot about."

"Well we've had a lot on our mind lately…" Katara admitted. "It's hard to keep everything in order."

"You can if you aren't training and focused on his new gear, yes." Momo pouted in annoyance. "I warned him to do it first. But no… "I have time," he said."

Laughing, Katara shook her head. "Then I have nothing to say to that."

"Speaking of time," Momo tilted her head at her friend. "What are you doing here? You need to go and get ready for your performance."

"I know, but… I need your help with my outfit." Katara admitted, opening her bag and pulling out a notebook. "I need you to make this for me real quick."

Momo raised her brow in surprise to the request, opening the page and seeing what Katara was referring to. "You aren't going to wear your dress from your date?"

"No. I've been thinking about what I was going to do for a show. And… I realized I wanted to do something that would remind me of my old home." Katara said, a soft smile forming on her face. "So I needed to do a last minute change."

Momo glanced up to the waterbender, seeing the genuine look on her friends face. Smiling herself, she looked back at the paper in her hand. She stared at it for a few moments before reading the notes on the side. "I have to say, it's certainly not what I expected… But it has a mysterious look to it. I like it."

"That's what I was looking for." Katara rubbed her arm and took a breath. "Can you do it real fast, please?"

Taking another moment, Momo smirked and nodded. "Give me a minute and you'll be ready to go."


Thirty minutes later

Inside the large room beside the walkway they were to perform, Katara and the other girls worked on preparing whatever they were going to wear for the show. Slipping her own shirt off, she pulled over her head the new burgundy robe that was just made for her, smiling happily when she glanced over to the mirror beside her. Even after choosing not to add paint to her face, seeing a familiar look she never thought she'd see again brought a warm feeling to her chest. Her concentration was broken however when she saw a familiar head of vines walk behind her, turning to see Ibara Shiozaki on the bench beside her in a flowing white gown. "Hey. Good to see you again." Katara said to her and earned a soft smile.

"Likewise, Katara. I am honestly a little surprised to be here," Ibara quietly responded, her face looking somewhat nervous. "To perform in a beauty pageant was something I never expected."

"Are you a little nervous?" Katara asked, receiving a small nod.

"I've never been one to have a lot of people staring at me. The festival was hard enough already, but this… they are watching me and not what I can do." Ibara blushed slightly and looked away. "It's… a little embarrassing honestly."

Giggling at her bashfulness, Katara patted her shoulders. "You'll be fine. Just do your best and that's all that matters."

"I'll try," Ibara said smiling, watching as Katara turned to grab more of her outfit from the table. When she leaned over though, Ibara's eyes widened when the dress fell slightly, revealing the scar set in the middle of the waterbender's back. She covered her mouth slightly in shock, hearing about the injury she received but not seeing it until now. "Does… it still hurt?" She quietly asked.

"Huh?" Katara looked over curiously, seeing the worried look on the vine girl's face and where she was staring at. She sighed and readjusted her dress back up, covering it back up and tying it in place. "It's fine now. Don't worry."

"Sorry…" Ibara blushed slightly, feeling embarrassed for staring. "It's just… I was a little surprised."

"Trust me, I was surprised getting it." Katara shrugged playfully, the reaction to it breaking the tension for the class B student. "Don't be sorry. I made it through, and now I'm-

"Oh, what are you two going to wear?!"

Both Katara and Ibara turned in surprise to see Nejire Hado floating her way over to them, the older girl in what appeared to the waterbender as a dress that appeared…. Feathery?

"Red? That is a really pretty color! But why not a blue dress to go with the water you use?" Nejire quickly asked.

Katara looked down at the outfit she wore. "Well, I'm wearing this because-

"The white looks great on you!" Nejire happily exclaimed looking over Ibara's dress. "So angelic!"

"Thank you…" Ibara answered. "I was going for that to-

"Isn't this exciting?! I can't wait to see what you all do today!"

As Nejire continued interrupting the answers to her own questions, both Ibara and Katara sighed in amusement. They let the bubbly girl continue her excited tangent while they got dressed, Katara slipping on her long, flowing sleeves up her arms just below her shoulders. As she attached the long tassels on them and to the center portion of her dress like robe, Nejire's happy chatting was cut off by the loud laugh of another girl coming into the room, causing even the normally bubbly third year to eye twitch in annoyance to the newcomer.

The previous two year winner of the beaty pageant Bibimi Kanranzaki.

"Ah hahaha! Oh look at these new faces attempting to try and compete!" the loud blonde exclaimed out, her shockingly long eyelashes seeming to force her eyes shut. "I applaud your attempts, but I would recommend just watching how a real winner takes the competition!"

"Huh?" Katara tilted her head in utter confusion to what was going on, but couldn't deny an irritation growing inside her chest.

"I mean, you freshmen are simply unprepared for the big leagues. Miss Hado here can attest to that, can't you?" Bibimi boastly stated, "You have done well coming behind me every year."

"Oh yes… such wonderful competition," Nejire closed smiled at the statement, struggling to keep her face straight and not grinding her teeth. "Let's hope for another good contest this year."

"Oh of course, to see others attempt to win is always fun," Bibimi laughed out and waved her hand. "Well, I can't wait to see what you two newbies try to perform with."

Taking a breath, Ibara was surprisingly having a difficult time keeping her smile at the girl as well. "I appreciate the words of encouragement as well."

As the cocky older teen walked away with her little entourage, Katara exhaled and clicked her tongue. She honestly wasn't expecting much when she decided to sign up for this event, hoping for something simply fun to take her mind off recent events. Then she saw this as a chance to try and bring some entertainment to a child she had met, to try and give something amazing to see. And now… Katara felt something she certainly wasn't feeling until about fifty seconds earlier.

She actually was eager to put on a show to win today

Grabbing the wide brimmed bamboo hat, Katara had an eagerness she didn't plan on having.


Later in the Day

The festival was in full swing by now at UA, all the different classes and events set up throughout the campus grounds. The smell of food floated through the air as vendors were hard at work preparing the many treats and meals for the students eager to eat. The mood for many of the students had also been highly elevated, thankfully due to the successful performance of the opening act of the festival.

Class 1-A and their concert.

The loud and exhilarating show left many of the students awestruck and ecstatic, the loud and powerful show having brought a level of fun many in the school desperately needed. The music, the dancing, everything they did created the bombastic opening that lit an excitement in every kids chest the school wanted. Even in their own class, Jiro and the others felt such a wave of pleasure knowing they succeeded in bringing a successful show forward. (And of course Bakugo having the pleasure of knowing they beat any naysayers down with their amazingly done concert.

It was a feeling powerful enough it helped override the… questionable performance by class 1-B and their stage show Romeo and Juliet and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Return of the Kings. While no one could even figure out what was happening half the time, it certainly brought a number of laughs and enjoyment to the populace.

Walking through the campus, Momo and many of the others were enjoying the fact they had completed their concert with flying colors. Both her and Mina happily patted Jiro on the back, the earphone girl sighing in relief. "You did amazing out there, Jiro. You led it so well." Momo said.

"Thanks, but it wasn't like I was alone there." Jiro chuckled. "We all did good."

"Come on, don't be so modest," Mina snickered rubbing on top of Jiro's hair. "You belted out that song. Who the hell knew you had a voice like that?!"

"We killed it up there!" Kaminari cheered in excitement alongside Kirishima, the pair laughing and gripping the quiet but still smirking Tokoyami's shoulder.

"We did exceptional, yes." He responded, stretching his hands after playing the guitar. "I'm glad our practice paid off for all of us."

"We didn't have any problems! That was so much fun!" Uraraka cheered alongside the others as well.

From the side of the crowd, Shoto followed along, stretching his neck. He also felt a wave of tension leaving his shoulders. More than he expected, he actually had experienced far more fun than he had envisioned he would have. The music, the lights, the very vibrant energy from the crowd. It brought him a level of fun he hadn't felt in such a long time, especially with how he'd been feeling over the last month of turmoil. He just wished Katara was here to experience this with him, but now he was ready to go and support her performance next, along with the rest of their class.

As they walked along, Izuku was towards the back of the pack, his smile perhaps the largest of anyone there. This was due in part to their show becoming a success, but it was nearly all due to the fact of the pair walking beside him. Mirio was one of them, his smile even larger and more energetic than normal as well, and the other was the small child Eri walking along. She kept pace with them, even more of a kick in her step than they had seen yet from the girl. But one thing that made them both nearly tear up in joy was something they had hoped to see and never did yet until today.

A smile spread across her face.

With all their work for the show, the energy and excitement of the concert actually broke through the girl's many walls that had formed in her mind and heart over the years. When Mirio saw the smile break across her face in the middle of their performance, he almost screamed out in pure joy seeing her actually finding enjoyment in something. The same was felt for Izuku, his smile not leaving his own face ever since they finished the show. And now, the young girl almost seemed like a totally different person from the tormented prisoner they had found back then. For one who could barely look someone in the eyes before now almost couldn't stop from talking.

"Then the sound went, Boom!" Eri shouted, throwing her arms out. "And then the lights were so bright!"

"I know, I could barely see the great dancing, hahaha!" Mirio exclaimed. "What an amazing show!"

"I'm so glad you had fun, Eri!" Izuku happily said, laughing as she tried recreating the motions of some of the dances on stage. He couldn't help but feel his chest swell in excitement seeing her so happy, looking up to see Momo slowing down to walk beside him, her own smile making him blush. "What?"

"It's been a while since I've seen you so excited about something," She said as she looked down to Eri, laughing as she spun and grabbed onto Mirio's leg. "I can see why you were so determined to help her."

Izuku looked back down to the girl walking beside them, unable to keep from smiling as she giggled in her own amusement. Her smile was so warm and genuine, he saw what it could've been her whole life. It was totally worth dealing through everything he went through to bring her a smile to that adorable face. "Yes. It was worth it."

"Is there more of music here, Midoriya?!" Eri asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Not here, Eri. Remember our friends Hado and Katara?" He asked Eri, her head tilting in confusion. "We are going to watch them look pretty on stage."

"Pretty?" Eri asked, looking up to Momo beside Izuku and pointing. "Is she pretty?"

Momo almost laughed out in amusement at the off the wall comment, looking over at Izuku's blushing face. "Y-yes. She is really pretty, Eri."

"Aw, well I appreciate that." Momo happily said, rubbing Izuku's shoulder as he chuckled. After a moment they all made it to the large crowd surrounding the runway platform, everyone ready for the next activity of the festival. As they all shifted together, some of the classmates looked around, noticing some of the familiar faces of class B nearby.

"Ah, well looky here," Setsuna chuckled seeing the newly arrived students. "Coming to see the next battle between our classes?"

Kendo laughed and shrugged. "Perhaps. I would be rooting for Ibara, but I got my new team to cheer for."

"Uh huh… Well, our little angel is going to take this title." Setsuna snickered, before grunting in annoyance from the laugh coming from behind.

"I guess you class A students didn't have enough glory hogging by going first in the festival!" Monoma laughed from the center of his classmates. "Although if you wanted a chance at winning, you should have gone with Kendo entering! She may actually had a chance at taking it unlike any of you original class A and-

WHACK!

Tetsutetsu's chop to Monoma's head caused the blonde to collapse, everyone else pretty much ignoring the rant as Sero noticed a familiar face in the mix of class B. "Hey, Koda! What up!"

The former class A student smiled seeing his old classmates. "Hey guys, how're you doing?" he said, his voice surprisingly louder than it used to be.

"Doing great!" Kirishima grinned as he came up, friendly punching Tetsutetsu in the shoulder. "These fools treating you bad over here, still?"

"Oh, absolutely, we had to lock him in lockers for the first few weeks." Tetsutetsu joked, before yelping as Setsuna's floating hand smacked him in the back of the head.

"Yeah yeah, enough jokes. I'll tell you guys; this fellow right here is fitting in right at home." Setsuna said, patting their now assimilated classmate. "And as long as I get to feed your rabbit every day, I'm your number one buddy."

Before they could continue chatting, the students were interrupted by the loud announcement coming from the podium. "Ladies and Gentleman! Welcome to the start of the wonderful and dazzling competition you've all joined us for! Let's find out who is the girl who will leave you awestruck and amazed in today's pageant!"

The music suddenly began playing through the speakers, the soft harp strings strumming to the audience. First up today is the the peace bringing forest guardian, showing why nature truly is beautiful! Ibara Shiozaki!"

Many in class B had to struggle keeping their cheers down as their classmate came up first, the vine haired girl gracefully walking down the runway. Ibara took slow breaths as she swayed to the graceful music, moving her arms up and swinging them in what looked like a slow ballet performance. As she reached the center of the runway, she closed her eyes and focused on her quirk, causing the mass of green vines to begin shifting. "Here we go…" She whispered under her breath.

The long vines on her head began crawling outward, growing up and forming what appeared to be a green staircase for the student to climb. Reaching the top, she held her arms out with the music, giving a low bow to the end of the music. After a moment of silence, the loud cheers and whistles from the crowd made her heart jump, looking out to the crowd and smiling in success.

"Woohoo!" Setsuna whistled from below, along with cheers from class A as well.

"OH, that was so beautiful!" Uraraka clapped along with everyone else.

"Now that was a great start to the show!" Momo cheered.

As Ibara cleared the stage, the crowd watched as several other students performed their own routines, some of them keeping them more basic and focused mostly on their dresses and their makeup. To everyone's mix of shock and surprise, the former two-time champion rolled on what looked like a golden float of her own head… which honestly left many more confused than amazed at her performance. Her somewhat egotistical display was met with a mildly weak applause, certainly lower than what you'd think from one who won the whole show last year.

Next up was Nejire, the third year choosing a harmonious music as well as she danced up on stage. Using her quirk, the blue haired girl floated through the air on her glowing energy trails. The look of amazement on the audience's faces made her giggle, weaving through the air until her energy formed what appeared as a large and glowing rose. The crowd gazed in amazement at the wonderful display as the music ended, the loud cheers returning to the crowd.

"Wow! What a glowing show put on for us there!" The announcer stated for everyone as Nejire walked off stage. "And now, we have our next competitor up! This is her first time doing this, but you've certainly seen her putting on quite the show during the sports festival. Here is your water wielder, Kairi Katara!"

"It's time!" Tenya shouted out before shushing everyone. "Focus everyone!"

Shoto also felt his breath catch in his throat when he heard Katara's name mentioned, his eyes glued on stage waiting to see her come on stage. After a moment, though, he didn't see her right away, instead seeing a thick cloud of fog seemingly drifting out from the back of the stage. "What are you planning?" He said to himself, a small smile forming on his face.

The speakers suddenly were filled with the sounds of flutes ringing in the air, the soft but powerful notes almost causing peoples hairs to stand up. If that didn't, the movement through the fog certainly did.

The dark form slowly drifted through the mist, outlining the flowing cloth over the waterbenders body. Sitting atop her head was a wide brimmed bamboo hat, a near transparent cloth hanging from the brim and covering her face. The almost secretive approach and the slow movement she had as she seemingly floated down the stage made everyone's breaths freeze. As she came further onto the stage, the music added drumbeats to it, quickly followed by a quick swipe by Katara's hand and bursting the fog outward through the crowd. Many gasped in surprise from the chilled moisture rushing past, staring up at the now cleared stage.

Katara stepped forward, onto the stage and off the stream of water she rode in on. She spun on stage and swung her arms, the water rushing up through the air and followed her motions. The stream spiraled around the waterbender, the speed of the streams causing her flowing outfit to dance in the wind. Rising her hands up, the water rushed into the air above her before she aimed it downward, the water flowing down before whipping by her head, guiding it to snatch her head from her head and reveal her flowing hair to the awestruck crowd. Her bright eyes looked up, locking a gaze with Shoto momentarily before she kept her focus on the performance, spinning once more with the water chasing after her.

Guiding the water behind her body, Katara spun the water into an elegant pattern before tightening her hand, the water quickly froze in place, leaving a beautiful ice statue in what looked like a complex structure made of shimmering glass. Holding her hand out, Katara waited as the mist drops guided her hat through the air, gently floating it down and settling it back on top of her head before she gripped the front brim. Tilting her head down to the end of the music, she knelt slightly as it came to a close, followed by an eerie silence hovering over the crowd.

Only moments before a loud rupture of cheers came from everyone.

"Wow! What a mesmerizing display we just saw!"

Mina whistled out in excitement at the show she just watched. "Holy crap, there we go!"

"What a stellar performance Katara!" Tenya cheered out. His hands clapped so rapidly in excitement they were barely visible.

"Amazing…" Izuku said out loud, looking over to the wide eyed Eri in Mirio's arms. "That was great, wasn't it?"

Eri's eyes seemed to sparkle at the display on stage, mesmerized by the flowing water and now the art piece of ice left standing on stage. "Pretty…" She whispered out, watching as the ice melted away and flowed into water to Katara's hand motion.

One who was perhaps more awestruck was Shoto, having not even blinked for practically the entire performance just now. Everything she did was magical enough already, but now he felt his heart beating in his chest rapidly. The routine she just did brought a new level of mystic and beauty to the girl he already was head over heels for. The gracefulness of her dance made him somehow even more entranced by her, his mind forgetting whatever negative things plagued his thoughts from before. He now only felt happiness and couldn't keep from smiling throughout the rest of the pageant.

He didn't care about the results later in the day, instead focused on the girl that had changed his life in so many ways. He didn't care about the horrible things he had learned about the curse of his family now, because his mind was now knowing the truth. He wanted nothing more than Katara to be a part of his life, and he would do anything to make sure that it stayed that way.

Notes: Ohhhhh... no reveal to who won?

I'm a tease... i know. All will be shown next time, and the next step in the story and where it goes from here!

Hope i described a similar style to the painted lady for Katara's performance.

And Bakugo? hmmmmm.

Also, a new manga page is up on deviantart! hope you like it! (link on my profile!)

Please leave your thoughts and comments on the perfomance and the chapter!

Till next time!