Summary: Kagome, younger twin to Shoto, was regarded as a failure by their father. With her Quirk never showing during her youth, her father regarded her as a blight on his legacy. He gave her away. After sealing the well up, she's accepted into U.A. Her very presence serves to shake things up in the best ways!

Pairing: Kagome/Hawks

Disclaimer: I do not own either series. Each belongs to their rightful owners.

Chapter Twenty-Two

His heated glare remained fixed in their direction until they eventually slipped out of his line of sight. As she walked silently behind him, Kagome let her gaze focus on the stoic demon that was leading her away from the abrupt confrontation. She didn't have to look at his face to know he was seething in rage. The people they passed had no reaction, and it told her that his expression betrayed nothing, but his aura was a completely different story.

Deep down, she also wanted to be angry at Endeavor's arrogant demands, to be offended that he'd even tried to draw her in the way he had. To be insulted that he even dared to assume such a tactic would work on her. No matter how much she wanted to be angry with it, the emotion she felt instead seemed much harder to identify. It was heavy in her chest, yet she couldn't place a name to it. It left her feeling conflicted.

Sesshoumaru paused, and she came to a halt not long after to avoid colliding with his chest as he turned to face her. Just as she thought…- His expression didn't reveal any of his anger, yet ire lurked in vibrant gold eyes. One just needed to know where to look to find it. It was silent as they stared at one another, only for her to break it a second later with a soft sigh.

"You know," she began, knowing that he was waiting for her to speak her mind so he could gather her feelings on the matter. He had smelled her discomfort and focused on getting her out of such a situation. "I'm not exactly surprised that's how he reacted," she admitted. "It's always been his motive, after all… Only having any value to him if you have the potential to achieve his goals," she muttered quietly. "After all, there's a reason the others were neglected, too."

Knowing that didn't relieve her of the pain she felt, however. It wasn't like she was exactly desperate to get her father's recognition. Blue eyes narrowed. Her chest felt tight. She felt cold, but fire coursed through her veins the longer she thought about the situation and her father.

It wasn't that long ago that he was yet again putting her down, trying to put a wall in between Shoto and herself. This was all it took to change his mind?

If he'd been more tolerant when she was younger, then neither of them would be in this situation in the first place!

A realization dawned on her. She thought she was already vastly aware of it, but the sudden crowning thought came like a light switching on.

"I hate him…" she whispered. One of her hands rose and came to grip at the front of her shirt. Her grip turned tight, knuckles going pale. Saying those words…- She didn't know if it was freeing or caging. That didn't stop her from testing the words a second time. "I just…! I hate him!" Her other hand had tightened into a fist at her side. Blue eyes shimmered as tears built up swiftly to blind her.

Sesshoumaru remained as he was, expression unchanging as her anger seeped out in waves. It plagued her voice in a way he'd never heard from her before.

She didn't…-!

She could hear him shouting at her mother even from behind her hands pressed firmly over her ears. She hated moments like this, but it seemed like they were growing more common.

Despite her best attempts at blocking out the shouting, she heard her name get thrown into it and she squeezed her eyes shut. Cheeks already drenched with tears, more fell endlessly to join the messy rivulets.

The door to the room she was hidden away in opened. The light cast shadows along the walls, but it soon faded when the door closed silently as someone came to join her. Darkness swept back through the room as the figure padded quietly over to where she was hiding. She didn't notice they were there until cold fingers brushed her hair back. She jumped at first, but soon calmed when she registered who it'd been.

"Toya-nii…"

He sat down beside her, back against the wall much like her own. His white hair matched her own dyed strands, their eyes the same blue too. A second passed before he moved, reaching to tug her into his chest. She followed without resistance, crawling closer and curling up in his lap as she dug her small fingers into his shirt, gripping it with a shaky hold.

"It's okay," he whispered softly in the silence. "You're okay." He adjusted his arms she she was cloaked by them.

"... I'm a mistake," she whimpered, repeating the words she heard her father tell her more than once, her voice shaking as she burst into tears once more. "I…- I…!" A quirkless defect.

"Shh…" He shushed her sobs gently. "No, you're not."

She clung to him like that for a long while. He showed no signs of letting her go, either. Like every other time before, she felt safe held like that to his chest.

"You're so special," Toya murmured into her hair. "You're the only one who hears me, I think," he added as if he was spilling a secret. Then again, he likely was. "If he doesn't want you, then you're mine."

She nodded, though she wasn't sure what she was agreeing to.

One of his hands moved to gently thread through her dyed tresses.

"You never have to fear anything s'long as I'm here," he murmured softly.

The shouting continued just outside the door, the faint echo of her mother's sobbing carrying just beneath it.

…

Gentle fingers combing through her hair caused her to lift her head. The room was quiet. A children's book on the table in front of her was what held her attention. The spot beside her was taken as the older woman settled down with her. As she did, her hand remained on her head in a gentle caress.

"The dye's fading again," Rei mused as she observed her youngest's hair. Black was poking through the white. While she didn't mind the different coloring, she knew it was better to just do as they were told. "We'll have to touch it up again before school…" she continued in soft thought.

Kagome was quiet as she looked at the book for a moment longer. Eventually, she mustered the courage to say what was on her mind. After all, with her father not home at the moment, she didn't have to walk on eggshells as often.

"Mama?"

Rei looked at her with a gentle smile, hand falling to nudge her cheek as the young girl looked up. "Yes?"

"Daddy says I have no chance to be a hero," Kagome spoke softly. Thinking of the words made her chest clench in a faint ache, recalling the harsh tone he'd possessed while scoffing at her wish. Mentioning the flame hero almost felt like she was speaking a curse in her mother's presence sometimes. She noticed her complexion pale significantly as a faraway look invaded her nurturing eyes. "He's… not right, is he?" she questioned. Perhaps she was merely hopeful to hear someone believe in her potential.

Rei reached her other hand out, taking Kagome by both of her cheeks gently. She lifted her head to ensure she was looking at her.

"You don't have to follow in his footsteps," she assured. "You're nothing like him, after all." She looked earnestly happy as she said those words. "That's such a blessing for you."

Her eyes, while they were the cursed blue of that man, were a mirror to her own. It seemed the only thing she'd taken from him was that color. What a wonderful thing for her, that was.

…

Harsh eyes boring into the back of her figure made her freeze. The figure of her father could be seen when she closed her eyes, and she knew it was him. She wasn't sure what'd she done this time to insight his ire, and she was left going through her actions of the day to try and figure it out.

With her mother and siblings not currently home, she'd been careful. She heard the thump of his footsteps as he approached her. She turned to look up at him, anxiousness swelling inside her chest as he got closer.

He paused a few paces away from her before he crouched to be on her level. His eyes, usually a haughty blue were clouded slightly.

"You're coming with me," he remarked then, much to her surprise. For a faint moment, excitement bloomed in her chest in a faint hope that he wanted to spend time with her.

She wasn't sure of their destination when he led her up the several dozen steps that went up to a large building. Outside the door was a woman with short hair. Despite the chill in the air, she looked unbothered. However, when she looked their way, a scowl was etched into her expression when she looked at her father.

They paused in front of her, and he nudged her closer to her, much to Kagome's confusion.

"This is Kun-Loon," Enji stated as he looked down at the small girl before him. "From here on, you're going to live with her."

His harsh tone made her flinch. His words… they didn't resonate quite as fast. Confusion swept through her mind as she looked up at the woman who was scowling at her father.

"I've dealt with it enough, but no more," he continued. "I refuse to have a quirkless child around to ruin my hard work."

His words were scathing, burning just like his fire.

"W-When can I go home?" she asked in a small, timid voice.

"This is your home now, Kagome," Enji stated.

"But…-" Realization dawned on her, tears building up in her eyes.

What had she done wrong?

"I don't even know my own siblings because of him!" she wailed.

Tears blurred her vision, and she closed her eyes in an attempt to block them out. A searing burn traced along her cheek, following the trail left behind. Her eyes snapped open the next second. Her gaze met Sesshoumaru's own surprised one.

She lifted a hand to brush the spot. Her normally cold skin was searing hot where her tears had touched. Had she just…-?

The pain faded as her accelerated healing soothed the spots.

"I just burned myself," she stated. Sesshoumaru nodded, seeming to be just as aware of it as she was.

"It would seem we have new factors that will affect your training," he remarked. It didn't bother him- not in the slightest. Kagome nodded in agreement.

The sooner she harnessed the new blue flames, the better. Not just for her, either, but for everyone else as well.

A familiar aura approaching them made her turn to glance behind her. Her blue eyes met the duo-colored of Shoto. He paused, leaving plenty of space between them, and she could tell he did so to make sure he didn't overstep if she didn't want him around. The observation made her feel guilty.

"Can we talk?" he asked after a long pause between the three occupying the space. He wasn't just asking her, but Sesshoumaru as well.

He couldn't tell if she was busy with the silver-haired demon, but he asked either way. Before she could say anything, Sesshoumaru beat her to it. He stepped away from Kagome's side with a nod.

"I think that might be for the best," he stated as he turned to depart. "The others wish to see you, but they can wait until it's a better time for you, Kagome."

A small smile appeared on her face, and she nodded. As he walked off, Kagome turned to face Shoto. She approached him, taking the initiative to close the space kept between them.

"I'm sorry for how I've been acting," she said once she had stopped in front of him. "I just…-" Her brows furrowed and she glanced down at the ground between them. She fell silent with a sigh, shaking her head. "Well, you know," she added.

"You don't have to apologize," he stated. Kagome looked up to meet his stare once more. He knew the side that he was seeing was a new one for him, but he was just glad it seemed like the side he was used to was starting to resurface.

"He found me after my match," she admitted. No matter the reason behind him going to her, hearing those words made anger flare up within his chest. "Surprise, surprise," she continued with a flat tone. "This time it was about how he wanted to train me now that I could be worth something to him."

"He what?"

She ignored the edge in his voice as she shrugged. "He wasn't very tactful about it," she stated then. "He managed to really piss off Sesshoumaru," she added. "Come to think of it, I can't remember the last time I saw him that mad," she added, talking about the silver-haired demon.

"What did you tell him?" he asked.

"The truth," she responded. "That I don't need him." She folded her arms across her chest. "I've made it this far without him around," she said. "I will continue to go much further without him."

The only thing she was worried about was that he wouldn't give in that easily. She knew he wouldn't. She didn't want him pestering her mother because of this. At least she had Sesshoumaru and the others to act as a barrier between him and the rest.

It came as no surprise when Bakugo won in his match against Uraraka. She couldn't hide the grimace on her face when she realized it'd cemented their fight in the second round.

It wasn't long before she found herself staring him down, with him mirroring her stance.

"A very appropriate match-up!" Present Mic exclaimed as they stood on the arena stage, staring one another down. "The top two in Sesshomaru's class facing off!"

At the mention of him, she could feel him observing from the stands. Additionally, she could feel his interest in her current match-up. She brushed the weight of his stare off as she let her focus shift wholly to Bakugo. She knew splitting focus against him, of all people, was probably the dumbest thing she could do.

"I can give you a few pointers if you want it, you know."

Her soft tone made him bristle some, and she sighed.

"Like hell I want your help, brat," Bakugo scoffed. She rolled her eyes in response. The sweat on her brow was swept away. Leading up to the Sports Festival, she ran into him more and more in the sparring ring Sesshoumaru used for his class.

This time, however, he'd been watching her for a good fifteen minutes. She'd gotten fed up with it, deciding to confront him then.

"Then how about you come up here and spar with me instead of standing there watching me like some stalker," she scoffed, matching his bristly nature.

"Tch… what'd you say, brat?" Bakugo challenged her. She turned to face him finally, blue eyes gleaming.

"You heard me!" she snapped at him. Unable to help it, the anger bubbled up in her chest. She'd been more than stressed with the idea of coming face-to-face with her father, and she couldn't stop herself from getting riled up at his attitude towards her. "God! I can't stand when someone just stands there and watches me!" she snapped at him. It made her think of…- Him.

…

They were laid out on the ground minutes later. Her chest rose and fell in rapid movements. She sat up at the same time as Bakugo, and he looked at her as she lifted a hand to her cheek, where a dark bruise remained from one of the hits he got in on her. Pink flames licked at her skin, the mark fading entirely.

She felt him watching her, and she arched a brow. "... what?"

"Since when could you do that?" he scoffed, tone harsh to hide the curiosity she could feel in his aura. She didn't call him out on it as she shook her head.

"For a while now," she stated. "I just don't show it off here usually," she admitted. "Anyway, they don't do much other than heal injuries," she added as she let the pink flames resurface on the tips of her fingers. "I'd rather that than have then be like my father's," she mused outloud.

He glared as he eyed her, sizing her up from where he stood opposite of her. Though the audience was loud, down between them, it was silent. Her expression betrayed nothing as to how she felt.

It was like he was staring into ice the longer he held her blue stare.

"Match- Start!"

Bakugo was the first to make a move once the match was called to begin. Kagome remained as she was, her expression calm as always. It annoyed him, to say the least. He lifted a hand as he charged at her, sparks forming along his palm already.

Before he could reach her, Kagome reacted by bringing a hand up. An icy barrier formed between them, the pink ice taking the brunt of a violent explosion meant for her. The smoke faded, yet the ice remained in place- sturdy. A crack ran along the shimmering exterior, but that was the only sign of damage.

"Tch…!" Bakugo glared at her as she remained in the same spot. The only change was her elevated arm. The pause lasted no longer than a split second, and then the ice melted away. She bounded forward, leg raised as she aimed a kick to his chest. Her quick motions took him by surprise, and he was knocked back a couple of paces.

"I don't know about you, but I'm not holding back anymore," she remarked with a flat, humorless tone. Her newly acquired blue flames danced along the pink against her skin. Every time they'd fought beforehand, she always had to hold back. This would be the first actual fight between them where their Quirks were allowed to be utilized. He seemed to get her point swiftly, and a wide grin broke out across his face, crimson eyes flashing.

It's about damn time…- Bakugo swallowed those words as he steadied himself on his feet across from her.

"Then bring it on, brat!" he scoffed at her.

She didn't shift in her posture until a second later, swapping her weight to her other foot as she took the initiative to charge at him. She was quick, and swift on her feet in a way most humans couldn't dream of achieving. She'd appeared across from him seconds later. He was startled, but it didn't show on his face. He just barely reacted quick enough to block her next hit, but the burn along his skin lingered as a harsh reminder.

With her close enough, he lifted his hand as sparks formed along his palm. She caught on swiftly, bringing her arms up to shield her face from the blast as she was met with an explosion.

Dust fell away, and she peered at him from behind her arms. The pink flames were quick to heal the injuries from his attack. She swung her weight forward, once more relying on physical attacks. When he blocked it like she anticipated for him to do, she brought her leg up and kicked him on the side of his head hard enough to knock him away.

He stumbled on his feet as he caught himself. He lifted a hand to brush away the blood drawn by her kick as he glowered at her. She saw through his next course of actions, quickly reeling away and summoning walls of ice to shield her from the booming explosion he charged at her with. The smoke was met with vibrant blue flames as the ice melted away. He didn't back away from the flames, leveling another blast to consume the flames as he charged at her.

Even through the smoke, he found her. He ran at her, arm raised. She backtracked, but he was right on top of her. He delivered a sharp punch, causing her to stumble back. With her wall broken, he aimed another explosion her way. She tried to block it, but she wasn't quick enough this time, and she was knocked back to the ground.

She landed on her side, severed pieces of the arena scattering around her. A refusal to give up pushed her to get back up on her feet, and, upon spotting her back up, Bakugo finally at her again.

She wiped the blood and dirt from her face as her flames returned to her other hand. In the back of her mind, Dabi flashed into view. A cyclone of blue that bled into pink formed, keeping Bakugo from getting too close. It only lasted for a few seconds before he snuffed them out with an explosion from his own hands. Kagome smirked, her expression breaking from the stoic one for the first time that match.

She held her arm out to her side, pink flames dancing along the tips of her middle and index finger. With precise tact, the flames flowed out, forming a whip out of the dancing blue. She spun on the tips of her toes, the fiery whip spinning with her and peppering the air with cinders. Too close to dodge, the flames licked at his arms, leaving harsh burns.

As she allowed her whip to fade, a ring of blue flames encased her in the middle, rising high enough to interrupt her gaze. Sweat formed at her brow, her chest rising with rapid breaths. She ignored it when she felt his aura approaching rapidly. He burst through the flames without hesitation, paying no mind to the burns left along his clothes. Kagome narrowed her eyes. She lifted her arm, and a wall of blue flames rose up from the ground.

"Nice try!" Bakugo scoffed as he snuffed them out once more with an explosion that sent her flying back.

Her body felt hot, she registered as she caught herself and stumbled back up onto her feet. She stumbled more, the world around her shifting violently as she barely managed to catch herself a second time. Bakugo slowed to a halt just before her when he noticed the shift in her demeanor.

Her body swayed slightly, her chest rising and falling in rapid movements as sweat covered her brow. It was a few seconds later when her stance shifted entirely, and her body tipped forward. Before she could hit the ground, the blonde had reacted. She was caught in his arms, but she made no move to push herself back up and away from him. Instead, she fell motionless.

Midnight got up on the stage again, approaching the two teenagers with a curious hum. Upon close examination, she turned to the audience.

"Higurashi has passed out!" she announced into the microphone in her hand. "A wonderful match, truly, but the winner is Bakugo!"

Auroua-chan: Okay, so I've been giving it a lot of thought, and I've settled on Hawks for Kagome's pair. Hawks for the sake of drama and some volatile responses from the Todoroki men (*cough cough* Dabi and Enji specifically.) Plus, I feel like they could empathize with one another better than other options.
Either way, Shigaraki will still have an unhealthy obsession with her.

In this chapter there were a few flashbacks- specifically of Kagome with Toya, Rei, as well as Enji. Toya was overly attached to her, Rei cherished her for the fact she lacked similarities with Enji, and then Enji had to cause things to worsen for the both of them by giving her away. (Though, could he have a bit of remorse for even deciding to do so back then, even before he did it in the first place?)

Anyway, Kagome had her fight against Bakugo, and she lost that one. Though, not without putting up a fight until she passed out from exhaustion. Her blue flames led her to think of Dabi, as well, it seems. Speaking of, she's overdue for a visit from him, isn't she?

Anyway, that's it for now! Thank you all for reading and I hope you all enjoyed! Hopefully I caught all the errors before posting, but if not sorry.

Please remember to Review&Favorite&Follow, thank you!

Bye for now~