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Of Butterfly Wings

Chapter Twenty-Two: Unusual Victory

Kagome crouched beside Kanna. It'd been five minutes since Touya and Kagura had left to snag some of the other teams' flags. Since then, Kanna hadn't spoken a word. The other girl kept her eyes fixed upon the horizon, watching for any subtle movement or danger that could come their way.

"So are you and Kagura related?" She tried to engage the other girl in small talk. Kanna didn't speak but she did give the barest nod of her head. It wasn't much but it was something. Kagome smiled as she continued, "Are you two sisters?"

Kanna nodded once more.

Kagome folded her arms over her knees and breathed a sigh through her nose.

"You know, my quirk isn't one I can use very much. I've discovered that I can heal some wounds and injuries but I have to have direct contact with that person." She pressed on, "I had no idea I even had this power until recently. So I'd always thought that I was quirkless."

Outside the Todoroki family, she hadn't told anyone about her power. Partly due to embarrassment and partly due to her own reluctance at allowing her sister to find out. However she didn't mind being honest right now. They were each hooked up with individual microphones for this event as the faculty wanted the crowd to be able to hear the team's conversation. Everything she was saying right now would be broadcasted live, but at this point that was the least of her worries. She had a friend in front of her that was in dire need of a self-esteem boost.

She pressed on, "I'm really happy about my power but it's not something that's helpful to most people." Especially since it seemed to require physical intimacy to activate. "So I think a power like yours is pretty awesome. You can attack, defend and protect all at once. I think that's really amazing, Kanna!"

The girl's face turned a slightly darker shade, the barest hint of a blush upon her cheeks.

Kagome felt her lips curl up into a smile. She really was adorable. Although she'd refrain from saying that just yet. She doubted that Kanna would feel comfortable hearing it from her.

The two paused at the sound of rustling leaves. It was still far too early for Touya and Kagura to return. Which meant that this could only be an enemy attack. Kanna stepped forward.

She lifted her hands, manifesting a small mirror within her grasp.

From within the trees beyond an oversized boomerang came hurdling towards them.

"Watch out!" She cried for her teammate.

Kanna raised her mirror, the boomerang coming within a few inches of striking before it was forced back—knocking it off course.

"That was awesome!" Kagome grinned at the other girl, "Nice work!"

She couldn't help much here but at the very least she could provide the emotional support Kanna would need for this battle. Plus, she could also act as the last line of defense for their flag.

Kanna's cheeks darkened yet.

A feminine silhouette stepped out from the forest. The woman heaved the boomerang over her shoulder with a single hand. Honestly that sort of strength just wasn't fair.

"Nice deflection," The stranger commented. "You're the first person who's ever managed to do that."

A chill ran through Kagome's spine.

There was something different about this opponent. She wasn't sure why, but she had the distinct feeling that physical strength wasn't her only power.

"Careful," Kagome lowered her voice. "I think that strength is just from all her training. Her quirk is probably something else to do with her boomerang."

The woman pinned her with a sharp look, "You're Kagome, correct?"

She shivered slightly at the sound of her name.

"What's it to you?"

It wasn't the most clever comeback but it'd do for now at least.

Kanna's stance tensed as the woman moved closer to them.

"I was asked to knock you out of the Festival if I could, although looking at you now you don't seem to be a threat at all." Her eyes thinned at her curiously, "What is it with you twins? Why are you two fighting?"

Kagome scratched the side of her cheek, "You want the full length novel or the spark notes version of the trauma dump?" She lifted her finger and pointed at their enemy accusatorially, "Besides it's rude to demand something of someone you've just met without even giving your name first! At least tell me that much before you go demanding my full life's story!"

By now Kanna was shooting her a dumbfounded look. She could even hear the crowd roaring in laughter.

She growled at the faceless audience, "Hey you guys got your entertainment earlier during round one! I'm not going to turn this into a reality show on live television!"

She wasn't sure, she she could've sworn she heard the words Spill It being chanted through the stadium.

"No way!"

She paused at the sound of unfamiliar laughter. Kagome glanced across the clearing and found the woman doubled over in a fit of laughter.

"You two really are like night and day." She finally spoke between wheezes, "I'm Sango by the way. Unfortunately you're still my opponent but I must say that I like your attitude. You're way different from what I'd imagined after how Kikyou described you."

Kagome shot her a blank expression, "Let me guess, made it sound like I steal candy from children as a pastime hobby?"

Sango's laughter began to settle, "Not quite but she did make it seem as if you had it out for her. I guess the reverse is true in this case though."

Sango lifted her boomerang once more, "I hate to do this but it's nothing personal. It was nice talking to you, Kagome!"

She flung the heavy weapon in a single arc of her arm. Honestly, she felt quite envious of the other woman's strength. Although she didn't have the luxury to dwell on that for the moment.

Kagome squealed, diving out of the way at the last second. Kanna shifted in front of her, lifting her mirror and knocking the boomerang off course once more.

"Thanks for the save!" She called to her teammate.

Kanna's lips curled up into the faintest hint of a smile. The next second though the boomerang swung back around as if its course had been set.

Oh no.

This was Sango's quirk! She could target anything she wanted and her boomerang would strike! It didn't matter if the weapon got knocked out of the way. So long as Sango maintained her focus, then she could keep attacking relentlessly.

Kagome watched as Kanna struggled to keep Sango's attacks at bay.

The first time she hadn't expected them to counter it so easily. With her focus shifted, she couldn't continue her attack. Which meant that if they wanted to defeat Sango, then they would have to distract her.

Kagome flexed her fingers.

"Hey Kanna, keep Sango's attention on you. I'll do something about her quirk." She crouched low, hiding behind one of Kanna's many mirrors.

Her companion gave a very short nod of her head, shifting each individual mirror so that she could escape without notice.

Kagome swiftly made her way into the underbrush. Sango had gotten into the hero course which meant that she had to be a skilled fighter. She wouldn't be easy to distract or take down by the usual methods. Which meant that there was only one way she could get the drop on her.

She swallowed thickly at the thought. If she was wrong about this guess then they were all screwed.

Kagome carefully made her way through the underbrush until she'd finally managed to position herself behind Sango. The other woman hadn't noticed her disappearance yet. Kanna's mirrors had made it impossible for her to see beyond the wall she'd erected with her quirk.

Kagome sucked a breath through her nose.

Right, she only had one shot at this!

Kagome took to her feet and rushed forward. Without thinking, she tackled Sango to the ground. She lowered her hands to the woman's sides and then began tickling them.

There was only one sure fire way to distract a person and that was to tickle them. Of course this would only work if the person was sensitive but even those who weren't would be thrown off enough by the sudden attack that it would shift the momentum of the fight in their favor. Fortunately, she'd made the right call.

Sango let out a howl of laughter, writhing away from her as she kicked and tried to escape. Kagome grinned as she attacked her mercilessly.

"Say uncle!" Kagome continued.

Sango squealed again, shaking her head 'no' vigorously.

By now the crowd had joined in on the laughter, the image of their strange battle being played on the screen above.

It was a dirty trick but it was also as the saying goes, all is fair in love and war.

"Say it and I'll release you!" Kagome tortured her peer more.

By now the other woman was in a fit of hysterics. Tears streamed from her eyes as she continued to laugh without break.

She honestly didn't keep up with how long she'd had Sango hostage. She simply heard the bell ring out overheard and when she lifted her head, it was to the sight of her boyfriend and Kagura staring at them incredulously.

Kagome released Sango from her hold.

"All you had to do was say uncle," She grinned at the other woman.

Sango wiped the stray tears from her eyes, "You really are a wild card."

She felt Touya wrap his arms around her waist as he pulled her against his chest possessively.

"With that the second round is complete!" Midnight announced over the intercom. "Team Kikyou and Team Touya will be moving on to the final round! We'll be taking a short lunch break before then, so stay tuned!"

Kagome tipped her head back towards her significant other, "Looks like we won."

She found herself grinning as widely as possible. She had no delusions about winning her next fight, especially on her own, but for now she was just glad for this one unusual victory.

Touya spoke nothing. He simply lowered his head and captured her lips in a searing kiss.

The crowd jeered while Kagura scowled at them.

"Get a room!"

She didn't miss the way both Sango and Kanna were flushing slightly at the image they'd made.

Touya drew back, "Nice win."

She smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him once more.

This was turning out to be the best day ever.