Ashes of Love and War - TodoMomo

||Chapter 15 ~ Part 3||

She spotted something move ahead of her, and she dashed down the hill and through the smoke.

Her heart almost leapt as Todoroki came into view. Then her gaze landed on the two things he was carrying.

They were Fukukado's men.

They were slightly burned but appeared to still be alive. Momo's heart hammered against her ribs.

Todoroki laid the men down on the ground gently and then looked up. His eyes widened.

She didn't have time to stop as her momentum slammed her into his chest. He reached out and caught her.

"Yaoyorozu," he said, surprised.

Momo grasped his arm for support as she gasped for breath. Her chiton was ripped from the bushes as she had run down the mountain. And there was a stabbing pain in her side; her lungs felt like the fire from the brush had moved into her chest.

Todoroki's eyes darkened. "You're bleeding," he said, lifting his hand to touch her cheek.

Momo started and pulled back. "Don't worry. It's just a scratch," she said quickly, wiping at her cheek with the back of her hand.

Something rippled across Todoroki's face. He dropped his hand and then stared at her. "Yaoyorozu, what are you doing here?"

"You need to go back. Now!"

"What?"

"It's a trap! The stymphalian set the fire to lure you away. You need to go back and help. I'll go get Tokoyami."

Todoroki's eyes widened. "I'll go with you."

"No." Momo shook her head. "Aizawa and Asui are fighting. They need you."

She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm on her wrist. "No. I'm not letting you go by yourself, weaponless."

Momo's stomach curled. She swallowed and nodded. She was suddenly tired and didn't have the energy to argue with him. The faster they found Tokoyami, the faster they could get back to the orphanage. He couldn't be too far away right now.

Satisfied with her response, Todoroki's expression softened. "Okay. Let's go. He's probably around the southeast side," he said, picking the men up and moving past her.

Momo turned to follow and stumbled slightly before catching herself. She straightened and shook her head to clear her mind.

Todoroki looked back at her. Then, his eyes abruptly widened, and he practically dropped the men as his hand flew to his sword.

"Yaoyorozu!"

Before Momo could react, an arm slipped around her waist, and she was yanked backwards. A dry, rough tongue slid across her cheek.

She gasped in shock. A shiver ran down her spine. It was like she had suddenly been plunged into a freezing, cold lake.

Momo tried to scream, but her voice caught in her throat.

Something was wrong. She inhaled a quick, sharp breath, but her voice wouldn't work. It felt like her lungs were shriveling inside of her.

Instinctually, her eyes darted to Todoroki.

He was pale and stone-faced as he glared at the one behind her. "Let her go, and I'll spare you," Todoroki said slowly, his voice vibrating.

The one holding her barked a dry, guttural sound that was as cold and rough as his tongue had been.

"Like you spared all those Trojans?" the man snarled mockingly.

Momo's heart dropped into her stomach.