She's the Man

Chapter 22: Conclusion

Tetsutetsu had been ecstatic for Izumi since she won her first round fight. He'd driven his classmates nuts by screaming ecstatically during her matches. He even wore one of the headbands from the cavalry battle inside out and wrote "Team Izumi" in big bold letters and little hearts. Still even he hadn't expected the final match between her and her brother to be so intense. The moment it started, his initial excitement turned to full blown awe.

The final attack had done nothing to sway him, he'd stayed on his feet, fully metallic, and stared into the storm.

"Geez, Tetsutetsu, what the hell is with your girlfriend and her brother?" Monoma straightened his clothes out grunting. "Overzealous fools the whole lot of them. Class 1A is filled with power hungry idiots who don't know the meaning of holding back."

"You're just saying that because that Bakugo kid ran all over you." Kendo scolded and shook her hair out of her fair and straightened her bangs. "Then again," Kendo looked up at the stunned Tetsutetsu. "It was the same for you too wasn't it Tetsu? Todoroki just went all out. Both of you annoyed some impressive people."

"They're amazing…" Tetsutetsu whispered and stared up at the sky as it started to rain. "Izumi's way amazing! RAUUUUUGH!" He waved his fists around. "That a girl Izumi! Win! Win… oh…"

"IZUMI IS DOWN!" Present Mic shouted immediately halting his praise and his eyes went back to the center and worry covered his face.

"Oh man…" manly tears spilled down his cheeks. "She was so close." he slumped into his seat his head hanging down.

"There, there Tetsu...hmmm?" Kendo tried to comfort, then her eyes narrowed on the ring as Izuku went to his sister. Her hand suddenly gripped his shoulder tightly, and he looked up just as Izuku started to panic and shake her.

"What's going on?"

~in the ring~

"Izumi! Izumi!" Izuku shook his sister and looked over at Midnight pleadingly. "Sensei!"

Midnight was already rushing over with Cementoss right behind him. The three crowded around her, checking vitals.

"This looks bad…" Uraraka commented holding her heart. Izuku's wild panicked voice had her heart trembling with worry.

"Izumi!" Todoroki was up instantly, he grabbed the rail freezing it and forming a slide that he jumped on and rode down to the stadium grounds. Bakugo was right behind him, ignoring the jarring pain in his shoulder and arm as she took the slide all the way down and sprinted across the field behind Todoroki.

"Her pulse is dropping, and she's barely breathing." Midnight stood up and cracked the whip. "We need recovery girl out here now!"

"What's going on?" Todoroki rushed up and shoved Izuku out of the way holding Izumi up and feeling her. "She's so cold…"

"Fire it up then!" Bakugo order yanking off his back and setting it around her. "We need to keep her warm!" Todoroki pulled off his own shirt and did the same completely bundling Izumi. He then held her against his left side and used it to steam off the damp and heat her body.

"Good idea… Hang in there, Izumi…" He lay his cheek on her hair, his teeth clenched. "Just hang in there."

"Mnnng…" Izumi began to stir and relief flooded the faces around her.

"She's coming around… Oi, Izumi… come on stay with us. ."

"Todo...roki…" she whispered hoarsely, her eyes slowly opening. Though she could only see out of one, both eyes stare up at him, trying to put his face in focus. "I lost… didn't I?"

"Yeah, but it's okay, you did great." He stroked her hair and readjusted his hold so she sat up more.

"Izumi…" Izuku came in close again tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry Izumi.. .I'm-"

"Baka…" She coughed and wheezed, her vision going blurry again so she blindly lifted a hand and gently shoved it in her brother's face. "Don't you dare blame yourself for this. We did what we came to do." Though her voice was weak and raspy it held the sting of temper. She vaguely made out rushing footsteps and her gaze drifted off and focused on the rushing figure of All Might carrying Recovery Girl. "Dad…"

"DAD?!" Todoroki and Bakugo both looked shocked and turned their gazes to Izuku. His face suddenly went blue. He didn't have a single explanation for them… and decided just to keep quiet.

"Izumi! Thank Goodness!" He set the old woman down and she immediately went to work checking her vitals. "Not to worry, Recovery Girl will fix you right up."

"Mmmm…" she smiled softly and her eyes blinked sleepily. "Okay…" she cuddled into Todoroki's warmth and slipped back into sleep. Todoroki began to panic but Recovery Girl held out a hand.

"Easy boy… she'll be fine. I imagine the worst of it is her loss of stamina. The award ceremony will have to wait until she's regained some strength. Same with you young man…" She waved a finger at Izuku. "This time you'll both do as I say and stay in bed til I give the okay." She looked back at Todoroki. "We need to keep her warm so hypothermia doesn't set in…"

"Give her to me…" Endeavor suddenly walked up joining the group.

"Old man? What are you doing here?" Shoto's brows raised in surprise.

"I thought I could be of some assistance, since the rest of the idiots around here are too stunned to do anything." He took Izumi from him his fire roaring and Izumi's face instantly relaxed more at the added heat. She surprised everyone by cuddling in closer, her face sweet and peaceful. "You're not yet used to regulating temperature with your left side. I'll take her to Recovery Girl's office. The rest of you handle this dismal crowd."

~Later~

"All in all it could have been a lot worse." Recovery Girl decided as she finished up with Izuku. She sighed heavily and checked Izumi's IV. "She cracked a rib which is what was resulting in her loss of breath, but that was the worst of it. The rest of her wounds can finish healing once she regains some stamina."

"Thank goodness…" Still Izuku looked down at his hand. Maybe Todoroki was right, he really should call himself the Rib Crusher.

"I warned both of you to not over do it, but you are your father's children. I should have expected as much." She shook her head sighing again.

"Mmm, I'm sorry to be so much trouble." He hung his head guiltily. His head lifted up as the door opened and All Might walked in, shrunken down. "Dad."

"They're holding off on the award ceremony… they're letting the crowd wander around and checking out the other events. They'll postpone to the last possible moment to give you guys plenty of time to heal."

"That's good, I know Izumi won't want to miss it." He smiled and then tensed up as Izumi stirred in bed, her eyes fluttering open.

"Where… Oh!" She jolted up and hissed out a breath wheezing and falling back down. Recovery girl hissed in disapproval.

"Take it easy, child, you're still recovering!"

"The match…" she fidgeted and held her head. Her ribs ached, her head hurt, and the blurry vision was making her nauseous. "I'm fuzzy on the details."

"You collapsed before the timer went off and before I could forfeit. They gave me the win, but you should have just-"

"Shut up, Izuku." She scowled at him and beat her fist into the mattress. "Damn it, I can't believe I lost. This is so frustrating."

"Well on a bright note you've been getting a lot of fan support." All Might commented with a smile. "When Endeavor carried you off the field, the audience-"

"Who did WHAT?!" Izumi's face went red and she was up again, ignoring the pain in her ribs to gawk. "The hell do you mean? Todoroki-kun was-"

"Endeavor came down to help. They had to keep you warm to prevent hypothermia, and Endeavor has better control with the heat then Todoroki-kun." Izuku explained trying to calm her down.

"That asshole…" Izumi clenched her fist, fire raging in her aura again. "He's either gonna hold this over me, or use it to his advantage somehow. I just know it." Probably did it to make himself look good, she thought.

"Take it easy, Izumi…" All Might set his hands on her shoulders and lay her down. "You need to rest so you can accept your award later. Both of you."

"I'm fine!" She insisted. "Aside from the aching pull in my gut I feel fine. It's just a stupid ceremony, they don't have to hold it back on my account." She rubbed her stomach groaning. "I'll rest later, I want to get it over and done with."

"Hmmm…" All Might looked to Recovery Girl who sighed and shook her head.

"Stubborn child… alright, you win Izumi… but on one condition!"

~Awards Ceremony~

She should have kept her damn mouth shut, she realized twitching. As the pedestals rose up, she sat in second place position in a wheelchair, bandaged up and looking like a horror flick mummy.

"This is so humiliating…" Izumi grunted. "Why am I the only one in a wheelchair?"

Izuku stood stiff as a board on the top spot, head and legs bandaged with his right arm in a sling.

"Press is probably having a field day… everyone on the podium has their share of injuries."

"Hey, Deku…"

Izuku tensed and He glanced over to his left where Todoroki and Bakugo shared the third spot. Bakugo looked angry and irritated, while Todoroki looked in deep thought, his face a little sad.

"Y-yeah, K-Kacchan?"

"Why the fuck didn't you tell me All Might was your dad?" His voice was low and dangerous and Izuku went pale knowing the two of them would have it out later.

"Um, well… it's sort of a new development. Izumi and I just found out for ourselves not that long ago,"

"Tch… Figures…" Bakugo sneered and stuffed his good hand in his pants. "Be prepared to face the consequences later."

"Y-Yes."

"Shut up, Bakugo." Izumi glared at him. "It's none of your business."

"Say that again you little-" Bakugo moved to jump podiums but Todoroki snagged him from the back of his shirt.

"Save it for later, you're on camera remember?" He said calmly. Still he glanced over at Izumi, their eyes meeting, faces blushing and eyes quickly averting.

"Now for the presentation of the medals, its of course going to be this guy!"

"HAHAHAHA!" All Might stood atop the stadium laughing in his signature style and getting the audience pumped.

"Always the show off." Izumi sighed but smiled a bit. He and Midnight approached the podium. He lifted a bronze medal and placed it over Todoroki.

"Young Todoroki… congratulations. It was a close fight."

"No… It wasn't." Todoroki told him. "I thought I was prepared to take Midoriya on, but he completely blindsided me. There's still so much I need to learn… and-" he glanced over at Izumi and Izuku. "There are some things I need to settle inside myself."

"Mmm, I'm sure you will come to some answers. I won't ask about the details." He gave him a hug, patting his back and whispered. "On a personal note, I want to thank you for tending to Izumi. It's deeply appreciated."

Todoroki said nothing, instead he only nodded. All Might turned to Bakugo who was more than resistant to receive the bronze medal.

"I don't want that piece of garbage! Damn it I said no! Get it away from me!" He grunted as All Might shoved it on him. He twitched and grabbed it threatening to tear it off, but instead bit the medal between his teeth sneering at the flashing cameras. "This is so stupid."

Izumi snorted out a laugh at Bakugo and then looked up. She moved to stand but All Might held out a hand shaking his head.

"Now now, young lady. Doctor's orders…" He took the silver medal and set it around her neck. "Izumi, my girl. I'm so proud of you. You gave your brother a run for his money… but you must learn that there is a time to push through adversity, and a time when you have to accept defeat. You never want to put yourself and others at risk by being stubborn."

"I know…" Izumi hung her head and lifted the medal up to admire it. "It's just… I was so frustrated. All of our lives people have put Izuku and I down. This was our one chance to prove ourselves… to make people believe in us. We've never had that before."

"That's where you're wrong…" He knelt down and brought her in for a hug. "Inko and I have always believed in you and your brother… not to mention your grandpa Torino. We all knew that one day you and your brother would become something great, whether it be heroes or whatever career path you chose. We continue to believe it."

Izumi's eyes watered and she lay her head on his shoulder sniffling. "Thanks… Dad."

He ruffled her hair and pulled back. Finally he stepped in front of his son.

"Izuku Midoriya…" he sniffed, emotional from Izumi's tears and for this pivotal moment. "Words fail me." He takes up the gold medal. "First place, you've earned it." He put it around his neck. Izuku stood, shaking from nerves, excitement, and didn't know how to react. "Be proud of yourself. I know I am."

"Thank You, All Might." Izuku's eyes watered. He was completely overwhelmed by emotion and had to grip the medal tightly in hand to prove to himself it was real. "Do I... Do I really deserve it though?"

"Yes, you've fought hard, overcame many obstacles, and stayed true to yourself the whole way. You've earned your place here…" He turned to the side stretching a hand out toward the crowd. Izuku looked out at the other students, cheers ringing out for him, and he knew All Might didn't just mean his first place win. He earned his place here at U.A.

The tears fell down in big heavy drops and he sniffed and choked on a laughing sob. He turned to his father and jumped into his arms hugging him tight.

"I did it!"

All Might laughed at the sudden excitement and pat his son's back tears in his own eyes.

"Yes, that you did!"

Izumi looked up at the two, her heart warming at the sight. Not wanting to be left out of the family moment she stood up and kicked the chair away. Ignoring the pull of her rib Izumi leapt up landing on All Might's back causing the three of them to stumble and fall over in a pile. Despite aches and pains the three of them cuddled together laughing, the press firing off cameras left and right.

"Bunch of weirdos…" Bakugo grunted with the medal still between his teeth.

Todoroki watched the moment, unable to wipe the smile from his face.

"Ah, that they are… a family of weirdos."

All Might stood up, hoisting Izumi and Izuku on either shoulder so they rose above the crowd. The entire stadium was in an uproar of applause and cheers. Izumi and Izuku looked to each other sharing wide grins. Izumi held out her hand to her brother.

"Don't get used to the top spot… Next year I'll be taking that gold." Izumi declared with a smirk.

"Heh, I'd like to see you try." He answered her back, and slapped his palm against hers, gripping their hands together in a crowning moment.

~After the Festival~

While her brother attended homeroom to round things up with the class, Izumi did as she promised and returned to the infirmary to rest. Her silver medal still hung around her neck and she admired it with a long painful sigh. Second place wasn't bad she supposed… but she couldn't help but feel disappointed in herself.

"I wonder what would have happened if we were both healthy and given free range to fight…" Sould she still have lost? Or would she have come out on top?

The door opened and she blinked in wide eyed surprise at who strolled in.

"Endeavor?"

"How are you feeling?" He walked up to her bedside. Though she frowned at him, Izumi couldn't work up the energy to spite him.

"Better, I suppose.… All Might told me you helped keep me warm and carried me off the field." She hung her head."I'm grateful."

"You're welcome .. But don't you mean your father?"

Izumi's back went up and she gripped her blankets tighter. She didn't know whether to confirm or deny...and just said the hell with it.

"If you knew about that, then why did you help me? Don't you hate my father?"

"My son is fond of you, as a hero and as his father I felt it was necessary to do what I could to help."

"Since when have you cared about him?" Her eyes narrowed. Maybe she could work up the energy to spite.

"Excuse me?" Endeavor asked on a raised brow. Izumi let out a frustrated sigh and lay back against the pillows of her bed.

"Never Mind… it's your business, not mine." she turned her head in his direction. "So, what do you want?"

"Hmmm you've a temper, but I don't mind that." He crossed his arms. "I don't expect Shoto to accept, though it would be in his best interest, but I'm more than certain he'll give it some thought at least after his battle with your brother."

"Accept what?"

"Internship requests. As part of your learning experience, the heroes who watched your performances today put in requests for certain students they find potential in. For those that don't get them, U.A provides a list of approved heroes to choose from." He explained.

"You put in a request for your own son?" She slowly sat up. "Wouldn't he benefit more by learning from someone else? You've spent his entire life training him already."

"Perhaps, but I am the #2 hero. I feel it would be to Shoto's best interest to see what I do, as well as your own."

"My best interest?" Izumi raised a brow.

"Yes, I've also put in a request for you." He admitted and had Izumi staring as if he'd hit her over the head.

"Me?!" She blinked and gripped the blankets in her lap. Her gaze went sharp and suspicious. "Why the hell would you-"

"That, right there…" He pointed at her face grinning. "That fire you possess. I prefer young heroes with grit, and it's what I always look for in my interns. You've ambition, guts, determination, and it is what will separate you from the rest of your classmates, particularly your brother."

"I'm flattered," she said coolly and had him grinning wider.

"No you're not…" he smirked pointing at her. "What you are is pissed off." When she merely grunted in response he crossed his arms again and went on. "You don't like it, but you should take what I've said into consideration. You were bested by your brother this time, but I can promise you, stick with me and you won't lose to him again."

"That's coming from the forever #2." Izumi retorted.

"No, that's coming from the man who's as stubborn as you are. We have a lot in common young Izumi, and you may not like it… but I'm the best mentor for you. Today proved that your brother is destined to one day follow in his father's footsteps… and where will you be when that day comes and you're left in his shadow?"

Izumi scowled at him… and hated to admit that he was right. Izuku was the most like their father, and if the last two weeks of training had proved anything it was that sooner or later despite being as close as they are, they were bound to be separated and ranked. She'd already admitted to Todoroki that Izuku was the better twin, now it was time to admit that to herself. She needed a broader perspective of how the hero world worked, and Endeavor could give her that.

"I'll think about it…"

~Meanwhile~

Aizawa had finished his post festival lecture and left the students to mingle and reflect on their performances. Izuku did his best to collect his things, and jolted when he felt Bakugo's hand on his good shoulder.

"Come with me." He ordered and took his good hand pulling him out the door.

"Wha? Kacchan?" He stumbled behind him. They walked for a good while, finding a quiet secluded hallway to talk. Bakugo then shoved him up on the wall and glared. "Now, explain!"

"Eh?"

"You couldn't explain before because of all the fucking paparazzi and attention, so here we are, quiet, and away from prying ears and eyes. Why the hell didn't you tell me about All Might?"

"I'm sorry, Kacchan…" Izuku bowed his head and gripped his medal to keep his hands from shaking. "I should have told you the moment I found out but… Things are complicated."

"How are they complicated? You're supposed to be in love with me, we're in a fucking relationship. Why can't you be honest with the person you're-"

"I don't want you to get hurt!" Izuku suddenly shouted and had Bakugo jerking back and gritting his teeth.

"Say what?"

"Our grandfather… Grandpa Torino… he's in the hospital because villains who are after my dad attacked him for information about us. Now that our location is out in the open, they might try and attack us, or use those we love against us. I didn't want to tell you, because I worried they might torture you for information like they did him."

Bakugo clenched his good fist at his side and grit his teeth.

"You think me not knowing anything is gonna stop them? If anything it just puts others at risk." He lifted his head and snagged Izuku by the front of his shirt. "I won't have you looking down on me. I'm stronger than you think, and I can damn well take care of myself. I don't need to use you as a fucking shield!"

"That's not what I-"

"Trust!" Bakugo slammed him back again making him wince, and then gasped when Bakugo's mouth crushed on his, their bodies molding tightly. His shaky grip turned tender, and he stroked his face running a thumb over the bandage on Izuku's cheek. "Trust that I can take care of myself. Trust that I can guard any secret you hold to the grave. If you can't give me that… then what the hell are we doing together?"

Izuku teared up and his breath mixed with Bakugo's. Unable to help himself he stole another kiss his hands gripping onto him for dear life.

"I understand… from now on... I trust you, Kacchan."

"Good… now stop crying…" Bakugo held Izuku to his chest stroking his hair as he continued to whimper. "You damn nerd."

~The Next Day: Hospital~

"When do you think you'll get released?" Izuku asked Gran Torino packing up the cards they'd used to play rummy.

"With any luck I'll be out of here by tomorrow." He said grumpily. "You'd think they'd have pity on an old man and send him home to his own bed."

He smiled and looked to Izumi who stood quietly at the window looking out at the people around them.

"Well when you do Izumi and I will come stay the night with you. We've a couple days off from school, so we can get you settled back in at home."

"Now that the world knows who you are, I won't get a moment's peace if I'm seen walking around with you. You two should spend your days off doing teenager things… you've friends now don't you?"

"Yeah but-"

"Stop worrying about this old coot and worry more about yourselves!" he pointed an accusing finger. "You two are no longer safe. After that final fight you two practically screamed to the world that you're All Might's kids and there's already talk of it in the press." He motioned to the morning's newspaper with the three of them plastered together. "Whoever attacked me now knows where you are. Be on your guard."

"Let them come…" Izumi said suddenly her eyes hard and cold. She turned and faced the two. "That was the whole point of us participating in the first place. We let the world know who we are… now it's time to prepare for the backlash. I'm more than ready for it."

"Don't you think you should wait until your wounds are fully healed?" Izuku laughed a bit scratching his cheek at his sister's bold worlds.

"Humph…" She walked out the door closing it tightly behind her. Izuku sighed and looked down at Gran Torino.

"Don't mind her, she's been in a bad mood since the tournament."

"Really? I hadn't noticed." Gran torino said sarcastically and grinned. "She seemed so cheerful."

~Izumi~

She had too much to think about, Izumi decided scowling as she wandered the hospital. Endeavor's offer was lodged in her brain, the press was having a field day with all that went on at the festival, and Iida wasn't answering her texts or phone calls making her fear the worst. On top of that there was a group of villains looking to take her and her brother out. She felt so frustrated and frightened it was making her irritable.

"Life as a hero is not easy… you knew this." She told herself and sighed. She looked around as her feet continued to move. She had no idea where she was going, only that she needed to walk, needed to clear these bad thoughts away.

It was by chance that she caught a glimpse of a familiar face… his dual colored hair easy to spot in the crowd. She halted her steps and quickly followed him to the psych ward. When he finally stopped her heart broke for him.

Todoroki stood outside his mother's hospital room. He lifted his hand to the door handle several times, but just couldn't work up the courage to open it. He took a deep calming breath, and jumped when Izumi spoke his name.

"Todoroki-kun…"

"Izumi…" He held his heart and turned to face her. Why was it she always appeared when he needed someone? "What are you doing here?"

"This is the hospital my grandfather was admitted to." She looked up at the sign on the door. "I didn't realize it was where your mother was as well."

"Yeah…" He swallowed hard, and clenched his shirt over his heart. "Listen I-"

"She must be lonely," Izumi said softly and turned sweet warm eyes up to him. "Now that I know where she is… maybe I'll come visit too." She closed the distance and stroked the left side of his face. "You're busy so I won't keep you."

"Izumi…" He touched her hand. "I don't know if I-"

"She's waiting for you…" Izumi said quickly and slowly slid her hand down from his face. "You shouldn't make her wait anymore." She turned around… but paused when Todoroki grabbed her hand.

"Thank you."

"For what?" She looked over her shoulder smiling at him.

"For knocking me down a peg."

"Hehe," she laughed grinning now. "You're welcome. See you at school?"

"Mmmm…" He slowly released her hand. "See you." He watched her walk away before turning back to his mother's door, and opening it. He walked in, and gently closed the door behind him. He felt his heart pounding hard as he saw the sad woman staring out the window. "Hello, Mom."

Mrs. Todoroki slowly turned to face her son. They shared a long appreciative look at each other, before her lips slowly curved into the gentle smile he remembered from his childhood. Wiping a tear from her eye she spoke to him for the first time in ten years.

"Shoto… I've been waiting for you."

The End.

~Ask Briry~

Briry: Yay! I wasn't sure if I would have this finished today but I was on a roll… Now I've got to finish the first chapter of the sequel before you all start to riot on me.

~Last Questions!~

Does Bakugo still have feelings for Izumi?

-Yes, but as noted in the previous chapter, it's the lingering feelings from his long time crush. Deku has been slowly filling the void and becoming more essential to his life.

Is Bakugo going to be Todoroki's love Rival or is it still Tetsutetsu?

-It's still Tetsutetsu. Bakugo will have some moments because of the explosive personalities, and history, but the main pairing is Todoroki/Izumi with Tetsutetsu there for gameplay. I only hinted Tetsutetsu's crush in this fic, but it'll play a larger role in the next fic now that Izumi's a more active student at U.A.

Thanks for reading and we will continue the story with "He's the Hero" which will be released soon.