Hollow Hero

Empty Whispers

The next month was rough for everyone. Izuku was distant, again. Hollow attacks were on the rise, but the Hunter was nowhere to be seen. It was eerie just how quiet Musutafu was without him, and suddenly the three reapers found themselves the only line of defense left. The trio of girls knew something was bothering Izuku, and Ibara seemed to believe it was the revelation that the monster that killed his father might be the hollow he had learned so much from, but only Pony knew the truth, and she was the one who was worried the most. As a result Pony had the other two stay behind while she snapped him out of his funk. Since Izuku refused to give her a chance any other way, Pony decided to play dirty and talk to Itsuka.

His students noticed the subtle shift in their master's mood as well. He was just as kind and informative, but also sad and withdrawn. His fire still burned, but it was smaller and flickering. When Itsuka came in with a mischievous grin, they were hopeful. If anyone could get him back to his usual inferno it was her, so they were shocked when they heard her declare, “Midoriya-dono, you have a new challenger. Get ready.”

Izuku groaned, “I'm not in the mood, Itsuka. Can I just defer to my best student?”

That's when they saw a short horned blond walk in wearing a white gai, and an angry look, “No, you can not. Izuku Midoriya, I challenge you specifically. I'm not leaving until you fight me.”

Itsuka chuckled, “You heard her Izu. I don't know what you did, but this little blondie has a bone to pick with you.”

Izuku sighed, “Fine. You win Tsunotori.” The students moved aside to make room, and watched as their sensei and the challenger got into position. With Itsuka as referee, they began the fight, but much to the students surprise, the blonde wasn't using a normal boken.

Instead, she had a pair of incredibly short knife-like wooden blades, and Izuku never closed his eyes. Never before had they seen anyone push their sensei much less make him get truly serious, but Izuku fought in silence. No tips, comments, or hints, only an intense duel between two serious combatants that caught even Itsuka off guard. Strike after strike, block after block, they weaved a dance of skill with a growing smile on each of their lips, until Izuku finally managed to defeat Pony. Knocking her blades aside, Izuku managed to drive Pony to the ground, but she didn't seem angry or bothered. Instead there was something similar to excitement in her eyes. When he reached down to help her up, Pony accepted, but didn't stop as she didn't just stand back up. Everyone watched as the blonde kept moving until she collided with Izuku's face in an intense kiss that made everyone freeze, except Izuku. He seemed to melt in pleasure. A new kind of hunger burning in his heart.

When they separated, Pony smiled, “You won the spar, but I won a greater prize. Talk to me, please. Stop shutting me out.”

Itsuka stomped over, “GET OUT! HOW DARE YOU PHYSICALLY ASSAULT ONE OF OUR INSTRUCTORS IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS NOT THE DEAL, YOU CRAZY BIT-”

Izuku held up a hand, and Itsuka felt the room suddenly get warmer, “Itsuka, I would be very careful what you call her. She didn't assault me. She was just giving me a reward for winning. One I happily accept.”

Itsuka looked shocked and confused, so Pony spoke up, “Izu was being an evasive ass, and refused to talk to me about what was wrong, so as his girlfriend… I took drastic measures. Sorry, I didn't tell you everything, but I needed to convince you to let me do this, and I didn't want you to think I was just a crazy stalker or something.”

Izuku smiled, and pulled Pony close, “Crazy, yes. Stalker, no. Thank you, my ram. I needed that.” Getting a devious look, Izuku smirked at Itsuka, “How about this? Why don't you two spar next? I think it will help you two get on the same page.”