Hero's Kingdom

Chapter 18: Unexpected End

"Queen Kayama and Lord Tokoyami informed me of the situation… but forgive me if I find it a little hard to believe that you are to be the savior of our world." The King spoke with obvious distaste and a hint of malice.

"Believe what you want to, Your Highness." Izumi knelt in front of him in the throne room, her eyes serious, and her body calm and collected. Though his presence was still intimidating, Izumi had conviction which allowed her to hold her ground. "I know it's a hard truth to believe, and one I'm still trying to fully grasp myself. However, one truth is known and that's the danger that looms over our world. I can't just ignore it and hope it's nothing but a bad dream, especially if there's something I can do against it."

"I must admit…" Endeavor stood walking to her, his arms crossed and his robes billowing. "You exceeded my expectations at the tournament. I didn't expect you to get past the first round, and yet you not only bypassed both qualifying rounds, but went on to win against my son. It's that hard truth, my dear, which has me accepting this story the lord of the Shadowlands told me."

"I went into that fight expecting to lose as well. I expected to fight with everything I had, and be overwhelmed by Prince Shoto's raw power."

"Instead it was him who was overwhelmed." He grunted and uncrossed his arms. "Stand up, and listen well. The reason I had you enter the tournament was so you could prove your strength to me… since you've done so I was prepared to not only give you land and title, but a chance to wed my son as that is his wish."

"I'm flattered b-"

"Silence!" He sneered a her and she jerked in surprise. "Of course it's flattering, don't insult me or him by stating the obvious girl. I'm revoking you of this honor as I'm not about to let my son wed a woman who's on a suicide path. You will reject any propositions he gives you, and I will present him with a far more suitable bride. If you meet this criteria you can keep your title and land, and the privileges that-"

"No… you keep it." Izumi lifted her head her eyes sharp and green as they met his. Endeavor's gaze narrowed. "First off, I never asked to be a lady, or to gain wealth. I asked only to prove my worth at the hope I could be knighted. I've dreamed of being a hero, of having adventures and exploring the world, but that's changed! I've found a far more important cause to use my power for, and I don't need money, or title to venture out into the world. I just need the courage to face the challenge."

Her chin jerked up as she made her second point clear.

"Secondly you need to stop telling Shoto how to live his life. He's to be King one day and he doesn't need you holding him on a leash to be a good one...a strong one! Shoto can make his own choices, and lead the people with a kind and generous heart. Of that I'm certain!"

"You dare speak that way to me? Know your place, peasant!" He grit his teeth and raised a hand striking her across the face. She stumbled back some but didn't cower. Instead she raised her head again meeting his fury. Her aura glowed and vibrated around her with such raw power that even the mighty Endeavor felt himself wanting to cower back.

"I know my place, Your Highness. It's time you knew yours. Your reign will end soon, and Shoto's will begin. If you're smart… you'll accept that with humility and pride rather than an iron fist!" She whirled away from him.

"Don't you walk away from me! I'll have you-"

"Have me what!?" Izumi stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. "You cannot kill or imprison me without risk of all out war with the Shadowland because they explicitly told you not to inhibit me. You've already taken away my title, and lands and I have nothing else you can use against me."

"Tch, think again. Go ahead and leave, you infuriating woman! I banish you from these lands! Do not step foot into Tatooin again for the rest of your days."

"As you wish," She mocked a curtsey. "Your highness." Izumi's eyes flickered with pain at the realization of what banishment mean. Still she held her head up high in defiance as she stepped out of the throne room..

~Later~

Izumi slumped against a tree trunk, blue in the face and her head in her hands.

"Oh god, what the hell did I just do?"

"You got yourself exiled, that's what you did." Toshinori told her and sighed heavily. "...and me along with you. We're on our own from here, Young Midoriya."

"I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to Shoto. The guards hauled me out by my elbows the moment I left my room." She sighed and pulled her legs up to her chest resting her arms on them. "Guess it's for the better… I don't think Shoto would have let me go alone… he'd have insisted upon coming… and Sir Iida and Lady Uraraka along with him.

"True enough… so that's one prince down. What are you going to tell your young Dagohban friend?"

Izumi held her chest feeling it beat rapidly against her ribs at the thought of trying to explain the truth to Kacchan. She doubted he'd understand… and he would either insist on coming.. Or more likely do all he could to stop her from going.

"I don't know… but I have to face the music. I can't just lie to him or ignore him." She stood up and grabbed her bag. "Speaking of which did you deliver the message to my mother?"

"Yes, and though she was upset over the outcome, she requests that you write her frequently to let her know you're alright. A young man named Shinso was there as well, and he requests that you call upon him, should you need help."

"Shinso…" She smiled warmly. "He's always been there when I needed him. I've known him since we were in diapers, and he has always stuck up for me."

"Another love interest?" Toshinori mused and had her laughing.

"No.. though my mother wanted us to be. The two of us have always seen each other as siblings." She held her chest. "Thankfully… I don't need another love confession. My heart's already pulled in two different directions."

"You're sacrificing a lot to take this path, Young Midoriya. Are you sure you're ready for this."

"Yes…" Though her weapons and the vest with the castle sigil on it had been removed from her Izumi still wore the white tunic and black pants. Across her waist was a belt with various pouches and the sheath with her father's sword on her hip. She unsheathed it and lifted it up smiling. "I don't need to be a knight, or a fancy title to help people. I can see that now. If I want to be a hero, I have to go out into the world on my own two feet and face it head on."

"Mmm that a girl." He pat her shoulder. They started to make their way heading south in the forest. Their first stop will be to Dagohbah… and from there... "I know where we can start our journey, I found out my family home is still being tended by descendents of our caretakers. My family has many books and scriptures for you to read for those answers you're seeking. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a walk and I'd prefer it if we had some horses."

"The town of Camino is just a day's walk from Dagohbah. I'm sure we can find horses there and I'll have gathered enough supplies to barter with. That's a start."

"Sounds like a solid plan to me." he gave her a thumbs up, and despite the hardships he found himself humming all the way.

~Back at the Castle~

"What the hell do you mean she's been banished!?" Shoto sneered at his father.

"That small title went to her head and she had the nerve to sass me and undermine my authority. She's been stripped of her privileges and has decided to leave the kingdom."

"You arrogant ass, you expect me to believe she just waltzed out of here of her own free will? You said or did something, I know you did, now fess up you coward!"

"Watch your tongue, boy." He sneered and then sighed heavily at the look of pure defiance on his son's face. "I did it for your own good, Shoto. You don't know the truth behind that girl's power, and it's a truth that makes her unfitting for your future queen."

"That's for me to decide, not you. Its my life, my choice, and I choose her!" He took off the broach from his break pocket that indicated his royal lineage. "If being with her is bad for the Kingdom… then someone else will have to rule." He tossed the broach at his father's feet.

"Don't be a fool Shoto!" Endeavor stood up. "If you deny your birthright you'll be handing the throne over to-"

"I know...and I wish them luck with their new responsibilities. Goodbye Father." He turned away and ignored the booming shouts of his father. Even the guards Endeavor sent after him became frozen in place by Shoto's magic. His mind was made up.

~Dagohbah~

"Thank you so much for your hospitality Chief Bakugo." Izumi bowed low in respect to Kacchan's parents.

"Don't mention it Izumi. You've always been welcomed here." Masaru waved a hand Izumi. "My wife and I are indebted to you for taking care of our son."

"Not to mention showing him humility." Mitsuki put in with a smirk. "He's always been a handful but your fight with him will serve as a positive life lesson that'll help him become a better chief."

"Kacchan will be a great chief even without my assistance. He may not show it often but he has a kind heart." Izumi corrected with a smile. "Actually I came here to talk to him. I'm leaving on a journey and I wanted to say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Mitsuki looked to her husband who share her aggrieved look. "Just how long is this journey of yours? Can't you come back?"

"I don't know...it's the kind of journey that you don't know if you'll ever be able to come back from." Izumi said with a saddened expression.

"I see…" Masadu sighed heavily. "That truly is a shame. We had thought with time you'd accept our son's proposal and agree to stay here with us."

"What?" Izumi's eyes widened at this. "You mean you'd approve of the marriage?"

"Approve?" Mitsuki laughed boldly and slapped a hand on her bare knee. "Honey, we were hoping it would happen. The minute Katsuki pulled his head out of his ass and noticed how he really felt about you, I was ecstatic."

Izumi's eyes went wet and she turned them to the chief who gave her a nod in agreement.

"Former tribe law had put a barrier around us, it served as protection but it also hindered our people from moving forward and really experiencing the world. I had eradicated the barrier in hopes it would improve our people's way of life and it has. Our sons marriage to you would be the first time an outsider married into the clan and revolutionize our way of life. Your skills and knowledge of healing are an added benefit as well as your generous and giving nature. The fact you can now step toe to toe with Katsuki is a bonus."

"What my husband is trying to say is, we don't think there's another woman we'd approve of more than you, Izumi." Mitsuki phrased.

Tears spilled down her cheeks and Izumi's hands clutched into her pantlegs. She bowed to them again trying to control the sobs that wanted to escape.

"Thank you. I'm so sorry I can't accept this great honor. Kacchan is one of if not the most amazing person I've ever met. I wish I could accept, I wish I could give Kacchan what he wants, but I just can't."

"Can we ask why?"

"I can't make that commitment for several reasons." She sat up but kept her head down. "First is I don't want to give Kacchan false hopes. I've already let our relationship get too deep for comfort, and I'm already going to hurt him. I'll regret that for the rest of my life...but if I were to marry him, make those promises to him… I'd be doing so shamefully because Kacchan is not the only man I have feelings for. My heart is split in two and I can't seem to bring myself to choose one over the other… so I've decided to choose neither in hopes they can move on and find women truly worthy of them."

Mitsuki's eyes narrowed and she wondered just what sort of man could match against her Katsuki.

"Secondly... as I said I'm going on a journey that I don't think I'll ever return from and it's a journey I cannot ignore even for my own heart. I've a responsibility that's been passed onto me and with it a heavy burden… a burden I couldn't possibly ask Kacchan or anyone else to share. I know if I accept and I marry him, he'll insist on coming with me on this journey. If that happens then there's a very real chance he could die and I don't want that! I'll do anything to protect him, even if it means hurting him!"

And yourself… Mitsuki deduced watching Izumi clutch her chest. She gave her husband a knowing look and he nodded before turning his eyes back to Izumi.

"We understand, and appreciate you sparing our son from that possible fate. If this is really what you want Izumi, then you have our support."

"Thank you, I'm so sorry." Izumi held her chest tighter. "I'm so very sorry."

"Now, now, dry those tears child." Mitsuki stood and went to her picking her up off the ground. "You're a mess, girl. You and your friend Toshinori can stay through the night. We'll load you up with provisions in the morning and even send a guide with you to lead you to Camino."

"Thank you." She sniffed and wiped at tears again.

"Katsuki is out on a hunting trip with his party, he'll be back by nightfall. Until then why don't you remove your clothes and I'll have one of my ladies wash them thoroughly for you. You can wear one of my garbs until then."

"Oh…" Izumi looked at the dirty clothes ripe with sweat. "I suppose I could use a bath as well."

"It's settled then, let's get you cleaned up. Masaru have someone fix a hut for Toshinori… Izumi you'll bunk in this one over here." She pointed to the hut in the corner of the grounds. "It's quite private and cozy. You'll find it to your liking."

"Thank you, Mitsuki."

"Oh no need to thank me…" yet… Mitsuki added silently her lips quirking up in a secret smile. As she helped Izumi bathe and dress into traditional Dagohban robes she hoped her son would find his early birthday gift to his liking.

~Sundown~

Damn it he was tired. Bakugo snagged a boar leg on his way back to his tent and bit right in. He was too tired to socialize. He'd returned home with this unsatisfied ache in his gut and knew the source of it was Izumi. He'd thought they'd made some progress as far as their relationship had gone. He'd given her what she wanted, given her the respect and kindness she'd asked for and the two of them had shared tender moments that filled him with hope.

… and yet someone was always there to pry them apart. That damn noble Prince IcyHot was getting in the way, muddling up Izumi's mind and making her heart waver. He'd have had Izumi as his wife if he hadn't interfered, if he hadn't stopped him that day by the ravine and thrown everything he'd known into chaos.

Now Izumi was a noble, and she'd be dancing at fancy party, schmoozing with new aristocratic friends in those stupid dresses that frilled and made her look…

...beautiful. She'd been so damn beautiful when she walked down those steps he'd been mesmerized. Even when she danced with IcyHot he'd only seen her, watched her eyes sparkle as they took in the glamor and posh. He could never offer her that. He may have managed to blend a little without making a total fool of himself but that life wasn't for him… he didn't fit… he didn't belong… and it was that truth that had him returning home with this ache.

He should just forget about her. He should have just done what she'd suggested and found some willing female from his tribe to mate and marry. First thing tomorrow, he decided, he'd scower his options, and hoped someone could somehow fill the void Izumi left.

He stepped into his hut brushing the curtain aside and tossing the ham bone behind him. He tossed his cloak over a thick flat rock he used for a table… and froze in front of his bed. There was a lump under the covers of silk. His brow twitched wondering what idiot had a large enough death wish to sneak a nap on his bed. He yanked the covers away prepared to blow them to kingdom come… and his heart rammed into his throat.

Izumi lay on the bed of furs and silks, her long legs exposed in the parted skirts of pale gold. Jewels decorated the belt that hung low on the hips, and were ruby red like the wolf tooth hanging between her breasts. The top that wrapped around her bosoms did little to hide their fullness and exposed the flat muscled line of her belly. His mouth went dry and he had to swallow hard. Was he dreaming? Had he passed out on his way to the tent and now fantasizing?

Izumi stirred and rolled a little exposing more leg, her long hair spread over the white silks in its deep emerald shade. Those sleepy eyes opened and blinked dazily.

"Hmmm? Oh… Kacchan you're back." She said with a soft smile, her expression dazed and almost blissfull… and he pounced like a tiger.

His mouth latched onto hers in a frenzied kiss, his fingers disappearing into the thick long locks of curly hair as he pinned her down to the bed under him. For a moment he felt her just succumb to it, her mouth opening freely and accepting the hurried lust and need… but then her sleepy brain began to clear and he heard her moan before pulling back with a gasp.

"Kacchan… Kacchan wait." She panted even as his mouth roamed over her skin and sent her body into euphoria.

"No…" he growled. "I'm not waiting, I'm done waiting."

...and to prove it he ripped away the gold silk his mother had so carefully wrapped her in, and ravaged her.

~Later~

Izumi lay under Bakugo not quite sure if she could move. Both of them were still stark naked, sweaty and completely and utterly sated.

What in the hell just happened? HOW had this happened? She'd been determined to shut down Bakugo's advances… tell him she couldn't marry him, couldn't be with him… had even been prepared to lie and tell him she was choosing Shoto…

...but now she didn't know what to do.

"Kacchan?" She swallowed hard hearing the own rasp in her voice. "Are you still alive down there?"

He answered with a grunt and stirred just enough to pillow his head on her breasts. She couldn't help it, she laughed.

"You're squishing me, Kacchan. You're too heavy."

"Deal with it…" He murmured and grunted again when she attempted to shove him n his side. "Fucking hell, Usagi. What did you expect me to do when I find you curled up on my bed all sleepy and wearing that." He managed enough energy to point at the tattered remains of silk.

"I didn't know it was your hut, and your mom is the one who put me in this. She frightens me…" She said with a groan and managed to sit up on her elbows. She'd be lucky if she could stand, let alone walk after this. "She set this whole thing up even knowing what I came here to do."

He owed his old hag one, he thought with a smile and gently lifted a hand to cup over the swell of Izumi's breast. He just couldn't get enough of them.

"What did you come here to do?"

"I came to say goodbye." She told him honestly and felt his hand still. Her head slowly turned as he sat up beside her his eyes narrowed.

"What the hell do you mean, goodbye?"

"I've been exiled from Tattooin… Toshinori and I are leaving in the morning to start a trip. I've been… recruited by Queen Kayama, and will be making my way to the Shadowlands."

"Exiled? What the hell for? Weren't you just-"

"It's a long story, Kacchan… but I've got new responsibilities that require me going far away… and I don't know if and when I'll ever be able to visit here. So-" She managed to sit all the way up and look in his eyes. "I wanted to come see you, one last time."

"Damn you, Usagi. You couldn't have mentioned this before?"

"You didn't exactly give me a chance to…" she scratched her cheek blushing.

Fair enough… he supposed with a sneer.

"Why has she recruited you? Since you can't be a knight here, you gonna be best buds with that damn Tokoyami and join his lame soldiers?"

"I guess you could say that… but part of my recruitment involves me doing some research so I'll be making stops on my way out there." She reached up touching his face and he jerked his head away. Izumi's heart ached at the rejection. "I'm sorry I can't give you what you want, Kacchan."

"Don't say stupid shit like that… if you don't want me, if you don't want us to be together then why the hell did you let this happen? If you really wanted me to stop you would have stopped me, you're strong enough now damn it!" He jerked up pacing the hut naked and making Izumi avert her eyes. Silly, she thought, they'd just made love and still she couldn't quite get used to seeing him naked.

"You're not wrong…" she murmured. "I can't say yes to you…" hurt him, she told herself and gripped the blanket between her fingers, hurt him to save him. "...because I've already committed myself to someone else."

"What?" Bakugo's face went blank with shock. Izumi finally managed to get to her feet and she slowly lifted her head. She still couldn't't meet his eyes. If she looked him in the eyes he'd know she was lying.

"I'm sorry, Kacchan. I- KYA!" She fell to the ground when his hand exploded right by her face. He didn't hit her, didn't strike her, but the pure anger she saw on his face both frightened and tore her heart to pieces.

"Get the fuck out!" He grabbed her by the arms hauling her out and tossing her onto her rump despite her only wearing a sheet to cover herself.

"Katsuki!" Mitsuki shouted and helped Izumi up off the ground and helped her cover herself better. "What is the meaning of this!?"

"Stay out of this, old hag! This is your damn fault! From now on mind your own fucking business!" He turned his eyes to Izumi who now looked at him with wide teary eyes. He looked to the ground to avoid them. If he looked at her face he'd never be able to finish what he started. "I'm so sick of you toying with my emotions. I'm so sick of this hot and cold game your playing, I'm not that pompous prince who will beg at your feet for attention like a helpless puppy!"

"Kacchan you have to understand, I'm just-"

"Shut up! I said I'm done with you!" He pointed an accusing finger at her shaking with such blind rage. "I never want to see your sorry face again. Consider this an extension of your exile! Never come near me or mine as long as you live! Get the fuck out of my sight, out of my camp, and out of my life!"

He whirled and went back into his hut… He lifted the silk sheets held them over the fire in the center of the room… and burned them all to ash. He lifted the silk garbs prepared to do the exact same thing… and just couldn't bring himself to. He went to his knees burying his face in her scent and screamed out the agony of his broken heart

~Road to Camino~

To her credit, Izumi didn't break down crying until they reached the end of Dagohban territory. Though Toshinori held her, did his best to comfort her, he didn't know what to say or do to ease the pain from his young protege.

Even after she stopped crying she was like a zombie… putting one foot in front of the other in a numbed walk. The trip into town was a quiet one… and thick with grief. Izumi didn't think she'd be able to smile for months. The pain in her heart was still too fresh, still too raw to even consider being happy.

Yet when they reached the town of Camino, she felt her spirit lighten some. She had a job to do… had a mission to complete. She couldn't let this break up with Kacchan affect her, or she'd have hurt him and herself for nothing.

"We need to barter for horses," she told Toshinori, speaking for the first time in hours. "I've got some elixirs and potions in my pack that should be enough."

"There's the merchant up ahead." He pointed… and he let out a hmmm when he spotted a familiar face. "Isn't that your friend, Sir Iida?"

Izumi glanced up and her eyes widened.

"Hey you're right… what's he doing all the way out here… and out of uniform?" Izumi rushed over. "Iida!"

"Lady Midoriya!" Iida's expression went bright and thankful. "Oh thank goodness, I've found you. His highness will be thrilled to see you."

"Shoto? He's here too?" Her heart jerked painfully. She didn't think she could handle another painful goodbye.

"Yes, I am… and Iida you need to stop referring to me as highness." Shoto stepped out from the shop with Uraraka, both of them carrying supply bags. "I've removed myself of that burden, after all."

"You've… what?" She looked at him in shock, and noticed his plain garb. Shoto set the supplies into a wagon with two horses attached and he turned to face her smiling warmly. He lifted up the journal with the old rabbit etched on it.

"I found this in front of your room. It probably fell out of your hand when the guards grabbed you. I've been reading through it, so I know the truth, Izumi." His eyes turned to Toshinori. "Sir Might."

"Forgive me for the deception, Prince Shoto." Toshinori went on all fours in front of him. "This has been a long kept secret in my family and I-"

"Relax… I understand why you kept it hidden. It's powerful and explicitly detailed, so I can understand why you wouldn't want anyone to know about it or the task at hand. I've come to apologize for my father's unsolicited behavior… and offer my services to the cause."

"Shoto no…" she held up a hand shaking her head. "If you know what's going on then you should know this is dangerous. I can't risk putting you, Iida, and Uraraka in such danger. I don't want to see you get hurt or killed."

"You don't have a choice in the matter. Whether you welcome us aboard or not the three of us all decided we're going to the Shadowlands and join the fight." Iida told her and put a hand over his heart. "I swore to protect my kingdom, and the people… and if this battle is to decide the fate of us all, I Iida Tenya, will be there to assure the victory!"

"Same here… no way I'm letting my best friend go off and fight some dark battle without offering up some magical back-up." Uraraka took her hands in hers grinning. "You're stuck with us."

"You guys…" Izumi's eyes filled again and she looked to each one individually before resting on Shoto's warm expression.

"I made my decision the day I saw you picking herbs from the river. You bring joy and happiness to my life, and make me want to be a better man. I want to be with you. It doesn't have to be as your husband, or a lover… but I hoped you'd at least let me help you…" he held out his hand to her smiling. "...and be your friend."

Izumi stepped toward him, and Uraraka stepped aside letting Izumi have a clear path. She saw his smile, felt the kindness and comfort in it. He didn't know she'd been suffering, didn't know about the ache that was in her heart, or the pain and grief of losing Kacchan's love. Yet here he was, right when she needed him, taking away just enough of that pain to help her pwn smile bloom.

"Okay…"

Her hand started to reach out for his… but the darkness fell. Everyone around her disappeared in the dark, and her surroundings warped and wavered like black waves. Izumi looked around panicked and gasping trying to figure out what was going on.

Damn you, Usagi, wake up!

"Kacchan?" Izumi looked around desperately for the source of his voice, but it seemed to echo everywhere. "Kacchan where are you?"

Izumi, please, I'm begging you, please wake up!

"Shoto? What's going on?" She felt pain in her head and noises echoed with the voices. She not only heard Shoto and Kacchan's but her mother, All Might's and her friends as well. "Where is everyone?"

Why are we watching this movie again? I thought you hated it.

It can't be helped, it's Usagi's favorite. Not my fault it's stupid.

"Movie? Shoto? Kacchan?" She saw a light in the darkness and the voices seemed to come from there. She reached out for it with all she had… and stepped through the veil.

~THE REAL WORLD~

Izumi could hear the sound of her heart monitor beeping annoyingly over her head. Her eyes fluttered open and the first thing she saw was a TV screen and both Bakugo and Shoto fiddling with it trying to get the picture back.

"I think you broke it." Shoto told Bakugo and finally pulled the DVD out with a sigh. "Lucky the disk isn't damaged or Izumi would never forgive you."

"Hey it's not my stupid fault this thing's a piece of junk!" Bakugo banged his fist on the TV again. "You'd think this stupid hospital with all their fancy equipment could afford a better TV."

"It's because they have all the fancy equipment that they can't afford it. Just turn the thing off, Bakugo, I'll talk to the staff about getting it fixed later."

"Tch, better you than me. I can't stand the sight of these stupid people. I've been coming here for three months straight and if I get one more sympathetic look from the nursing staff I'm gonna-" he trailed off as movement caught his eyes. Izumi shifted on the bed her eyes slowly blinking and just taking in the scene. "Usagi?"

"What?" Shoto's eyes turned and then went wide when he too saw that she was awake. "Izumi!"

"You're awake!" Bakugo leapt to the other side jof the bed and took her hand gripping it protectively. "Holy fucking shit, she's awake! Get a damn doctor… oh fuck that I will I'm faster." He ran to the door. "HEY SOMEBODY GET THE OLD MAN! SHE'S AWAKE!"

"Izumi…" with tears of relief in his eyes Shoto held Izumi's other hand protectively. "Thank god you're alright."

"What happened?" Izumi furrowed her brow. "Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital… you've been in a coma for three months. The doctors didn't think you'd ever wake up." He explained and kissed her knuckles.

"Coma? You mean I've been asleep?" She looked around… and suddenly it all came flooding back. They'd been out on hero patrol… she'd gone inside a market for a drink… and that's when the explosion hit. "It was all a dream."

"What was?" Bakugo came back and took her free hand.

"I… I was in Hero's Kingdom. I was living it."

"I'm not surprised, Bakugo made us watch it every other day." Shoto grumbled eying him across the bed. Before he could retort Izumi let out a soft sigh.

"It's my favorite movie… romantic, adventurous and heart breaking. Especially the ending."

"I told you it's a stupid ending. Now only did she friend zone a friggin prince, but the fickle woman should have told the warrior the truth so he could join in the fight. It's her own stupid fault she's miserable and single."

"Well we don't know for certain…" Shoto mused. "The sequel is coming out soon so things could change… if you're up to it Izumi we can go see it." He looked up at Bakugo and the two of them shared a silent conversation. "All three of us."

"Really?" Izumi looked at both of them. "You'd both go see it with me?"

"After watching it over a half a dozen times, of course I want to see what happens next." Shoto assured her and Bakugo grunted.

"Same here, but they better have a better ending this time, none of this lame cliffhanger shit."

Izumi slowly sat up, and though her temple throbbed she kept her hands firmly gripped in theirs. Did they know what this meant to her? Did they know that having them both in her life.. Even as friends and allies… meant everything?

"Yeah… let's find out what happens next!" She smiled brightly tears of joy slipping out. "Together."

To Be Continued…

~Ask Briry~

Briry: Kind of a cliffhanger ending I know… but I am the queen of Cliffhangers! Maybe I should change my Facebook name to that. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed this Arc of Hero's Kingdom and are looking forward to the sequel "The Shadow Kingdom"

THANK YOU!